Harmar officials optimistic about medical equipment facility occupying former betting space

Harmar supervisors are feeling optimistic about a medical equipment manufacturing facility coming to the township.

Supervisors voted 4-0, with Supervisor Bob Exler absent, to green light the Madison Acquisitions plan to turn the former Meadows off-track betting site at 1 Anchor Drive into a manufacturing facility for Zoll Medical Corp.

Supervisor Bob Seibert said township officials are pleased that Zoll selected Harmar for its new location. He said the company will help strengthen the community and its tax base.

“It is a perfect fit,” he said.

Seibert said the location is ideal for transportation, as there will be easy access for employees and no traffic issues.

Vice Chairman Harry Lenhart said more jobs will come as a result of the company occupying the vacant building.

“We are very happy they are moving in, and we will do everything we can to support them,” he said.

Lenhart said the location is ideal for Zoll because of its proximity to the turnpike and quick access to Downtown Pittsburgh.

Bernard T. Reilly, Madison Acquisitions president, said the company purchased the Meadows property last fall and plans to open the facility in October. Parking will be available for 300 vehicles and will be controlled, he said.

The company will renovate the inside of the building and add an additional 15,000 square feet. Zoll will consolidate its two current locations — on Route 910 in the Indianola section of Indiana Township and in RIDC Park in O’Hara.

The RIDC Park building will remain the company’s primary location, said Zoll spokesperson Matt Hogan.

“It’s too early in the planning process to comment on specific roles,” Hogan said. “We haven’t worked through the details of exactly who is moving where.”

Leslie Cunningham, vice president of human resources for Zoll’s cardiac management solutions business, said Zoll is excited to occupy the renovated space.

“Zoll’s new location at 1 Anchor Drive will offer modern space for manufacturing, service and office work, in close proximity to a variety of retail outlets and amenities, and allow us to bring our special workplace culture to the Harmar community,” she said.