Bensalem Council approves tax aid for $150 million manufacturing deal

Bensalem Township Council voted to approve a local tax incentive package late Monday evening. The measure paves the way for a $150 million investment in a vacant industrial property in Trevose. The plan aims to create 250 manufacturing jobs at the site.

The targeted property sits on 19.5 acres at 4626 Somerton Road. It includes a 320,000-square-foot building that has been sitting empty. A nationally recognized, fourth-generation family-owned company is in talks to take over the facility. The company would relocate its operations and corporate headquarters to the building.

State and local officials collaborated to secure the deal. Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-18) worked with Mayor Joe DiGirolamo and Council President Edward Tokmajian Jr. They sought to make the Pennsylvania site more competitive against locations in other states. Farry negotiated directly with the company’s owner during the process.

The state representatives also pushed for the property to receive a Keystone Opportunity Zone designation in Harrisburg. That status helps reduce state taxes for businesses in designated areas. The combined efforts were designed to attract the company to Bucks County. Farry said the collaboration made Pennsylvania a competitive choice for the investment.

"This is a great example of state and local government working together to create opportunities for our communities," Farry said. He noted that the potential for hundreds of family-sustaining jobs would have a large impact on Bensalem and surrounding areas.

The council approved a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program for the site. This ordinance provides a specific tax break for the new owner. The company may qualify for a real estate tax abatement on the increased assessed value of the property. The benefit lasts for a maximum of ten years.

The tax break applies only to the added value from eligible improvements. It does not reduce taxes on the property’s existing assessed value. The company will continue paying real estate taxes on that original amount. The incentive is intended to help cover the costs of renovating the building and installing necessary equipment.

Mayor DiGirolamo described the arrival of an out-of-state company as an extraordinary opportunity for the township. He said the LERTA tool helps the community compete for businesses that want to invest and grow. Council President Tokmajian added that the approval is a step toward strengthening the local economy.

Tokmajian said council and the administration are taking a proactive approach to attracting private investment. He noted the project would put existing commercial space to productive use. The leaders also hope the company will partner with local technical schools and community colleges to train workers for manufacturing careers.

The company has expressed a desire to become a community partner and establish lasting ties to the area. Details regarding the company’s specific plans and employee needs are currently being withheld. The business is managing its own communication timeline as discussions continue.

The proposed LERTA program is not yet final. It must now go through approval processes with the Bensalem School District and Bucks County. Those bodies have the final say on the local tax structure for the development.

The project is in the final stages of negotiation. The company is coordinating its internal plans for the move. Officials in Bensalem are preparing for the potential arrival of the new employer. The site remains vacant until the deal is fully closed.