Route 33 Interchange Could Create 5,570 Jobs

The and development around it could create 5,570 jobs over 11 years, according to a study revealed by officials.

With zoning recently changed to allow for everything from stores and restaurants to distribution warehouses, township officials are hopeful that the Route 33 Interchange development will bolster the local economy.

, chairman of Palmer Township's Board of Supervisors, said at a recent meeting when the zoning was amended that he was pleased by the job prospects.

A study conducted a few years back indicated that the project might generate 3,500 jobs, he said. But figures were revised recently to push that number above 5,500.

"The county went back and asked for an update," Colver said. "The numbers increased dramatically. Now they are more in line. They hit the nail on the head."

A copy of the study obtained by Patch.com projects 45 jobs created by the project for industrial in the first year and another 45 for industrial the second year before that doubles to 90 jobs in that sector for each year over the following two years.

The study indicates that retail jobs are expected to generate in the third year, with 18 a year projected over the course of the following seven years before nine retail jobs are projected in the 10th year.

For office jobs, 240 are projected each year, from the second-through-seventh years of the project, before climbing to 365 jobs from years eight to 11.

Distribution jobs fluctuate from years two to eight of the project, according to the study, proposed each year from 165 to 335.

"I really support the project," Supervisor K. Michael Mitchell said. "We'll take all the jobs we can get."

The Route 33 interchange is expected to begin construction in October with completion set for December 2013.