BELLEFONTE – U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5) issued the following statement upon news that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has awarded Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility (MVCF), in Philipsburg, Clearfield County, as the BOP’s preferred facility for the Northeastern United States.
“This announcement is tremendous news for our community and the Commonwealth,” stated Thompson. “The Moshannon Valley Correctional Facility has been an economic engine for our region, providing jobs for area residents, new tax revenue to support local services, including investments in our schools, and a host of other opportunities that have benefited all area residents.
“I am proud of the work we have done, including efforts at all levels of government and within the community, to protect local jobs and ensure the Moshannon Valley facility remains in operation for years to come.”
Over the past year, Thompson has led efforts at the federal level to help secure the contract’s renewal. In January of 2014, Thompson garnered the support of 12 Members of Congress from Pennsylvania and Senator Pat Toomey, in sending a letter to BOP, urging the bureau to renew the contract with MVCF.
The BOP’s existing contract with MVCF, which is set to expire in 2016, has been renewed for a period of five years, with one year renewal options for the following five years, according to Thompson.
BOP’s Criminal Alien Removal Procurement Regulations, require one facility in the Northeastern U.S. and another facility to be located anywhere in the country. MVCF, which is operated by the GEO Group Inc., has served as the region’s preferred facility since 2006.
The MVCF currently employs approximately 260 area residents and provides approximately $600,000 each year in local property taxes, $445,000 of which directly benefits local schools.