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AVIS -- After expressing some concerns about the security of a new proposed manufacturing operation, the Pine Creek Township Supervisors offered their official support Wednesday for plans for a marijuana growing and processing plant in South Avis.
The board voted to send a letter of support for the proposal and endorsed Terrapin Care Stations' application for a medical marijuana processing license from the state.
Chris Woods and Terrapin Care selected a site in the Henry Street Partnership, 180 Henry St., South Avis, Jersey Shore as the location of its first Pennsylvania plant. The operation is expected to be on line in about two years' time, if all the appropriate applications and permits are obtained.
Woods is already leasing 40,000 square feet in the newest section of the building, and is readying for a license from the state to produce medical marijuana.
The company hopes to employ some 50 workers, many of them in high-tech or bio-tech fields.
According to Clinton County Economic Partnership CEO and President Mike Flanagan, who offered the supervisors a brief report on Terrapin's progress, a number of concerned parties and agencies spent the entire day with Woods discussing new development for the "seed-to-sell" operation.
The proposed facility would make pills and tinctures, or serums, not a product for smoking, Flanagan said.
Supervisor Dennis Greenaway, who had attended some of the overview sessions, said both District Attorney Dave Strouse and the county detective were read into the review. He also said that Pine Creek Township Police Chief Winkleman has been invited to review security steps. As the plans approach reality, Greenaway said, Chief Winkleman will pay a visit to one of Terrapin's other plants in Colorado or Oregon, to gauge the company's commitment to security.
Flanagan also said Terrapin has signed a five-year lease with options for three additional periods of five years, insuring the business will be kept in the township for 20 years.
Flanagan also assured the board there are "immense layers of security and employee screening to make sure the products end up where they are supposed to end up.
Regardless, because the proposal is a change in the former industrial use of the facility, any plans will be reviewed by the township's planning commission, the county planning commission and the supervisors themselves before a final decision is made.
Medical marijuana became legal in the commonwealth this April.