The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority has received more than $2 million in combined state and federal grants to help set up a future business park.
JRA Executive Director Ronald Repak said the money will be put toward the construction of an access road and utility lines, meant to connect the former industrial site to the city.
He said the Rosedale Business Park would be built atop a remediated brownsite, where Bethlehem Steel had previously been located.
Repak said it's an important step toward attracting new businesses to the "old industrial city" of Johnstown, which he said is losing out to rural areas with more land available.
Repak said his agency is marketing Rosedale to arms manufacturer Joint Ammunition and Technology, and to businesses related to the Marcellus Shale gas industry. He said he expects the park to generate a total of more than 200 jobs after businesses become free to develop there late next summer.
The recent government funding will cover about three-quarters of the total project cost of $2.5 million, said Repak. He said a $1.2 million federal grant allowed Pennsylvania government to provide $850,000 in matching funds.