Back to list December 07, 2016 Agribusiness fuels economy of Central Pa. By Jennifer Vogelsong This article was published CPBJ.com on December 6, 2016. Agribusiness — food processing and manufacturing in particular — is big business. And it is becoming an important part of the economic development strategy of several counties in the region. Cumberland County has even made it a focus of business attraction. Jonathan Bowser, CEO of the Cumberland Economic Development Corp., said the county has the capacity to grow in the agribusiness industry, but is low on available land with the proper infrastructure for food processing. “We are trying to ensure that we have what we need as far as road networks, rail access and water and sewer capacity to be able to support new businesses coming into the area,” he said. The county’s latest comprehensive plan for economic development highlighted attracting food processors and supporting expansion efforts by existing food manufacturers as areas of focus. Cumberland County is already home to several food processors and manufacturers such as ADM Milling, The Warrell Corp., Nestle Purina, Land O’Lakes Inc., Bimbo Bakeries USA, Kessler Foods Inc., Warrington Farm Meats and the Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet. “We have a very rich farming community with access to highways, interstates and consumers, and we are in a very strategic location with access to East Coast ports and two-thirds of the entire U.S. population in about a day’s drive,” Bowser said. Read the rest of the article from the Central Penn Business Journal here.
