KARTHAUS – Local residents and business owners came to the monthly meeting of the Quehanna Industrial Development Corp. Monday night expecting to hear from a representative of the River Hill Power Co.
River Hill Power Co. is constructing an electric generating plant near Karthaus.
Although representatives were not in attendance, QIDC President Ray Savel had information provided by River Hill Power Co. to share.
Savel reported the progress people will see in the near future including a crane with a 150-foot boom dropping a 10- to 20-pound ball to test the land for settlement issues.
In attendance was Bob Craft, project supervisor for Charles J. Merlo General Construction. This company has been awarded the contract to build the roads to the plant and complete work on Tipple Road. They also plan to bid on corresponding projects.
Craft spoke to the business owners and residents about the needs of his workers and the corresponding business they will bring to the small community of Karthaus.
“Hundreds of people will be brought to your town.” Craft continued, “There is a ton of money for the town to be made.”
Among the needs Craft spoke of were breakfasts and lunches for pick up or delivery, ice, lodging and gas. Craft expressed his desire for the business to stay local, noting he wants to eliminate the need for his workers to travel for services as well as the need to contract suppliers from out of the area.
Savel, wanting to see the associated money come to local businesses, made a plea to all those in attendance, “This project is going. Nothing can stop it now. Businesses start getting ready right now.”
Representatives of the River Hill Power Co. have planned to attend the Aug. 20 meeting of the QIDC to be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Karthaus Senior Center.