Supervisors Approve Ocean Spray Plan

formally passed juicemaker Thursday night request to build a 315,000 square-foot bottling facility on 44 acres of land near Route 100 and Schantz Road.

And, the project may be completed with little to no cost to the township's taxpayers concerning traffic improvements required at two major township intersections.

"There are some traffic concerns at Boulder Drive and Industrial Drive and Industrial Drive and Route 100," said Director of Community Development Ken Moloney. "We're confident that these can be addressed at no cost to the township. The township is in discussion with three or four different entities to pay for the project and we're very confident the funds will be made available."

The price tag on those improvements were pegged at between $800,000 and $1 million by engineers last month.

Supervisor chairman Edward Earley, asked whether the funds coming from the state or other sources, said "I think you can assume that."

Erich Fritz, Ocean Spray's Director of Manufacturing Operations, personally thanked the board for its cooperation.

"Thank you for all the hard work and determination that was put behind this," Fritz said.

The $110 million project, which has the backing of Gov. Tom Corbett's office, is expected to bring 165 jobs into the Lehigh Valley. Ocean Spray is moving its operations to the Lehigh Valley from Bordentown, N.J.

Traffic, road cost and safety concerns were still the major concerns on the path to construction of the facility. Those concerns were addressed at a contentious planning commission meeting last month, particularly since one of the access roads comes close to

Many in that audience were supportive of the project that evening, despite the traffic concerns.