BREAKING: Ground has officially been broken on the highly anticipated Gateway Commerce Center in New Morgan, Pennsylvania, marking a major milestone for the region’s industrial development. The first phase of this massive 5 million-square-foot project will see the construction of two state-of-the-art warehouses, one spanning 925,000 square feet and the other 292,000 square feet, as confirmed by Panattoni Development Co.
Construction, spearheaded by Brinkmann Constructors of St. Louis, is set to complete by the fourth quarter of 2026. “Breaking ground on Gateway Commerce Center is an exciting moment for Panattoni and for the region,” stated Ian McDonald, partner at Panattoni Development Co. “This site offers unmatched potential for logistics and manufacturing users.”
This development is crucial as it is projected to generate 450 jobs in its initial phase, with the entire industrial park expected to create a total of 2,750 jobs. The project is strategically located with direct access to Interstate 76 and Interstate 176, benefiting from a 10-year LERTA tax incentive and favorable zoning conditions, including no height restrictions.
The facilities will be jointly listed by KBC Advisors, based in Seattle, and Colliers from Toronto, underscoring the collaborative effort to attract high-caliber tenants. “This project demonstrates Panattoni’s ability to execute on high-quality industrial developments even amid challenging market conditions,” said Michael Golarz, executive vice president of Colliers.
The Gateway Commerce Center is designed to meet a wide range of tenant needs, from specialized requirements to large-scale users, ensuring seamless access to labor and transportation networks. “The heavy infrastructure in place from day one transforms opportunity into speed,” remarked Michael Zerbe, partner at KBC Advisors.
New Morgan, home to just 54 residents as of the 2020 census, was established in 1988 from a portion of land previously owned by Bethlehem Steel. The transformation of this site into a thriving industrial center is poised to not only enhance local employment opportunities but also stimulate economic growth in the surrounding area.
As construction progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming phases of the Gateway Commerce Center, which promises to redefine the industrial landscape of southern Berks County. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
