LEWISTOWN - Helping to facilitate the development of a vacant piece of property along Water Street was discussed during the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation's quarterly meeting held Tuesday.

MCIDC President Rob Postal said the board has come to the consensus that it is prudent to move forward with exploring the site's potential. MCIDC will continue to work with Downtown Lewistown Inc. and the Lewistown Borough on the future project.

"I think that (it) is promising, and right now we are moving forward by bringing in environmental consultants," Postal said of some initial steps involved in developing the site.

Postal said the environmental consultants would be in town next week to give a preliminary assessment of the property.

"Unless something unforeseen comes up, I think there will be a project there next year," Postal said.

MCIDC has explored the idea of assisting with attaining financing for development of the property in the past, and at a recent DLI meeting there also was discussion of building a mixed-use housing development on the site that would include housing for low-income residents and the elderly.

Other items on the agenda included up and coming projects at the MCIDC Plaza West location. Postal said the goal for the 12-acre demolition project is to get the site shovel-ready. A $140,000 grant and matching loan from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will be used to finance the project.

Postal said work at the Kardex building continues to move forward, and a portion of the project is almost complete. MCIDC has partnered with Kardex to assist in financing to install a new roof, as well as some other infrastructure improvements.

Other business conducted during the meeting included:

MCIDC has applied for statewide certification, to demonstrate the corporation is capable of running state programs.

Postal gave a report on the former Case New Holland plant, saying some companies have expressed an interest in obtaining pieces of the site.

Long time MCIDC Executive Secretary Rose Retherford is leaving at the end of the year. She has been with the corporation since June of 1984.