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National Grid is making a $388,000 investment in Maplevale Farms' new Findley Lake facility.
The utility awarded the economic development grant to offset electricity infrastructure costs at Maplevale's new Findley Lake facility. Those costs were identified in December by Maplevale's CEO as a hurdle for the project.
Maplevale Chief Executive Officer Keith Rogers told the county IDA board in December that Maplevale needs to move out of its Allen Street due to its size and inability to expand there. Maplevale originally purchased land in Pennsylvania, however after being offered financial incentives by the county and the state, chose to purchase an old farm in Mina with 194 acres of land, where they planned to build a new center.
Maplevale Farms, a long-established food distribution company, received the grant to relocate and modernize operations to a new, $31 million, 126,000-square-foot facility. When construction is complete, the new site will feature dry and cold storage, approximately 20,000 square feet of office space, and nearly 64,000 square feet for cutting fresh steaks and an 8,500-square-foot maintenance shop.
Construction was to begin in October 2025, but couldn't because National Grid couldn't provide the power needed for the project in Findley Lake. Now, National Grid is helping offset the cost of the power upgrades needed. National Grid is supporting the expansion with an Electric Capital Investment Incentive Program grant, which will offset costs of a three-phase voltage conversion and other distribution system improvements needed to accommodate increased electricity demand.
"Every project we support starts with a vision for what an underused property or vacant building can become," said Ken Kujawa, National Grid regional director. "By connecting developers and communities with resources through our economic development programs, we help turn those ideas into reality and create opportunities for long-term economic growth."
Keith Rogers, Maplevale CEO, told IDA officials in December the company considered moving the project back into Pennsylvania, but the county IDA was able to propose some additional tax breaks and National Grid was able to reduce the timeline to 18 months, so Rogers said they decided to continue with plans in Mina.
In the interim, Maplevale has been using a primary source generators that will become its backup generator once National Grid puts in the lines needed.
Over the summer, National Grid has been upgrading existing grid facilities as well to provide sufficient power for several needs in Findley Lake, including Maplevale, by adding a boutique substation at the site of an old gravel pit near Bailey Hill Road in Findley Lake. The substation should serve the area for between 15 and 20 years with an overall budget of around $1.5 million.
David Bertola, in charge of US External Affairs for National Grid, told The Post-Journal earlier this year that the substation would be capable of providing power for many needs.
“The station will serve a few customers initially. It is built to provide reliable and resilient electrical service, and last for decades,” he said. “As more customers come online in the coming years, it will serve them.”