Groundbreaking opens Derry Heights site

Article Photos

Fact Box

Derry heights

Some of the new businesses planned for the Derry Heights Development include:?

Five-story Hampton Inn &?Suites

Ten-screen multiplex theater

Indoor waterpark, sports facility

YEAGERTOWN - Ground was broken Thursday for what could become a major tourist attraction and economic boon for Mifflin County at the work site of the Derry Heights Development in Yeagertown.

Project developer Nick Moraitis, president of Moraitis Properties of Pittsburgh, was joined by numerous community leaders who have played a key role in helping the project move forward during the groundbreaking ceremony held along Ferguson Valley Road. The group included state Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, who helped the developer secure a $2 million grant for building infrastructure on the site through the state's Redevelopment Assistance Program.

"Thank you for coming to Mifflin County - you won't regret it," Corman said. "You won't find a better class of workers in Mifflin County."

The project will be completed in several phases, with phase one development already under way. The first phase consists of a five story Hampton Inn & Suites, adjacent restaurant and 10-screen multiplex digital theatre facility. Phase two will include additional hotels, an indoor sports complex, water park and family entertainment center. Phase one is expected to be completed in the fall of 2010.

Jim Tunall, president of the Juniata Valley Area Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, said the eventual completion of the project will greatly aid his organization in marketing Mifflin County to prospective tourists.

"For the visitors bureau, it's wonderful - phase two especially," Tunall said. "Right now, scenery is our biggest attraction."

Tunall said that could change once the waterpark and family entertainment center emerge during phase two. He also said that the expected boost to the local economy - through job creation, hotel room taxes and tourism spending - will clearly be a benefit for area businesses and residents.

Moraitis took a moment during the ceremony to thank many of the people and organizations involved in getting the project off the ground, including the Derry Township Supervisors, Derry Township Planning Commission, Mifflin County Commissioners, Mifflin County Planning Commission, Mifflin County Industrial Corporation, Kish Bank, SEDA-Council of Government, the USDA and Sen. Corman.