Lycoming County defends confidentiality, loan and economic package after Bass Pro reveal amid township concerns

Lycoming County commissioners on June 24 addressed community concerns over a confidential agreement tied to recruitment of a major retailer and outlined how the county's economic package is structured.

Commissioners said the county issued a loan to the developer called Fanvest so the property could be stabilized and that no funds have been paid directly to Bass Pro. “Zero dollars paid to Bass Pro. Zero dollars paid to Fanvest,” a commissioner said in response to repeated community questions, adding that the loan is structured so the economic package for Bass Pro is payable the day the store opens. The meeting included multiple questions from Muny Township residents about non-disclosure agreements and local rumors about proposed housing and flights connected to the project.

Why it matters: County officials said the confidentiality requests were standard business practice to protect prospective retailers from competitors while they complete due diligence, and that the county's role was as an investor and partner to secure long-term tax base improvement. Commissioners emphasized that the county required Fanvest to preserve a $10 million assessed value and that the structure sought to avoid further erosion of property tax revenue for the school district, borough and county.

Public commenters said nondisclosure fueled suspicion. A Muny Township resident, speaking during public comment, said the secrecy drove “frustration and ignorance” in the community and urged more direct township outreach and plain-language briefings from county planning staff. The resident requested clearer explanations of the business process and local impacts, particularly around potential housing, traffic and property values.

Commissioners responded that the nondisclosure at issue was limited to withholding the retailer's name until the developer and retailer were ready to announce. They highlighted that the county's loan to Fanvest is repaid with interest and that county officials worked to lock a higher assessment value for the property so tax revenue would stabilize rather than decline if the site remained blighted.

The panel also discussed planning work tied to large projects. County planning staff and commissioners described adopting a temporary moratorium while the county crafts a model data center ordinance and noted the planning commission has appointed a liaison to help townships review the ordinance and adopt it if they choose. That effort is intended to give municipalities a template and technical assistance rather than to supersede local zoning authority.

Next steps: Commissioners said the county will continue public outreach, planning staff will present ordinance drafts and local media will be notified when state partners visit for follow-up meetings. Officials said Bass Pro expects to open in 2027 but cautioned the opening timeline depends on developer progress and approvals.