UPDATE: Ground has officially been broken on the first phase of the ambitious Gateway Commerce Center, a massive 5 million-square-foot industrial project located in New Morgan, Pennsylvania. The developer, Panattoni Development Co., based in Newport Beach, California, has announced that this initial phase will feature two warehouses—one spanning 925,000 square feet and another 292,000 square feet—with completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2026.
This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for both Panattoni and the region, as Ian McDonald, partner at Panattoni, stated, “Breaking ground on Gateway Commerce Center is an exciting moment… This site offers unmatched potential for logistics and manufacturing users.” The project aims to attract tenants through a partnership with real estate firms KBC Advisors and Colliers, enhancing its visibility in the competitive market.
The center boasts direct access to Interstate 76 and Interstate 176, along with a 10-year LERTA tax incentive and no height restrictions, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking strategic logistics facilities. As Michael Golarz, executive vice president of Colliers, emphasized, “This project demonstrates Panattoni’s ability to execute on high-quality industrial developments even amid challenging market conditions.”
The initial phase is projected to create 450 jobs, with the entire center expected to generate a total of 2,750 jobs in the long run, significantly impacting the local economy. The project is designed to cater to a diverse range of tenant requirements, from specialized needs to larger-scale operations exceeding 1 million square feet.
State officials highlight that the site is divided into 12 lots, allowing for flexibility in the number of buildings based on tenant demand. As Michael Zerbe, partner at KBC Advisors, noted, “The heavy infrastructure in place from day one is what transforms opportunity into speed.”
Panattoni Development Co. is recognized as one of the largest privately held, full-service development companies globally, with over 625 million square feet developed since its inception in 1986. New Morgan, home to approximately 54 residents as of the 2020 census, is strategically positioned to benefit from this large-scale project, which aims to revitalize the area and create new economic opportunities.
WHAT’S NEXT: As construction progresses, industry insiders and local residents alike will be watching closely for updates on tenant announcements and further developments at the Gateway Commerce Center. This project not only represents a significant investment in the region but also a commitment to job creation and economic growth in Pennsylvania.
