Apr 17, 2026 By Garrett Neese 4 min read

Excavators began moving dirt this week at the future home of two national eateries coming to Greene County.

A Chipotle and Starbucks will be opening at the Franklin Township site, located on Route 21 at the intersection with Progress Drive.

Pittsburgh-based PennTex Ventures Real Estate Development is developing the site, which Greene County Commissioner Jared Edgreen said is projected to open in spring 2026. PennTex did not respond to a request for comment.

Edgreen said commissioners frequently meet with private landowners, developers and national chains in an effort to entice businesses to the county.

He acknowledged criticisms from residents who said they would have preferred a steakhouse or another type of sit-down restaurant.

Ultimately, he said, “that’s not up to us,” with the commissioners instead serving in an advocacy role.

“We’re proud that there are private entities that want to come invest in our community, and that means jobs,” he said. “That means tax revenue for the school district there, the township and the county, which we need in our community.”

Edgreen said he had not heard estimates for how many jobs would be created by the new businesses. But he thought they would be able to potentially reduce the number of Greene County residents who have to commute elsewhere for work.

Preliminary job data received by the county indicated there were 9,200 residents who travel outside the county for work, Edgreen said.

“It shows me that we have a workforce here, but they have to travel outside of our county to get to that workplace,” he said. “So why don’t we provide opportunities here where they can live work and play here?”

Edgreen said he asked a PennTex official about the chances of bringing in another business to the area, who responded “We’ll see how this goes.”

“It’s a part of that advocacy where we need to keep asking and keep prodding and pushing to try to get some of these things done,” he said.

Greene County had received a combined $850,000 in grants last year for upgrades at the location.

Last April, the county received a $350,000 grant toward a redevelopment project on Progress Drive aimed at readying the site for new construction and making off-site improvements along the Route 21 corridor.

That was followed with a $500,000 grant for further infrastructure improvements in August. A turn lane will be added for westbound cars to get into the new property, along with curb ramps and a signal for cars coming out of the new site.

Before the site can be completed, PennTex must also acquire a state Department of Transportation highway occupancy permit for the lane, turn signal and other items.

PennTex has agreed to provide matching funds for the rest of the work on the project, valued at more than $1 million overall, Edgreen said. That money will cover utilities and roadwork on the PennDOT right-of-way.

Greene County is also progressing on bringing business to a nearby site long-planned for development. During a break in Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting, Edgreen said Rutter’s, a Central Pennsylvania-based convenience store company, would be moving dirt soon for a location on county-owned land at the Greene County Airport. Finding a higher use for the site has been a county priority dating back to the 2000s, with the county holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for shovel-ready lots and a new airplane hangar in 2013.

“They grow their own agricultural products, milk their own cows, and that’s integrated into their commerce at all their sites,” Edgreen said. “So we’re excited to see some Pennsylvania-grown stuff. PA Preferred stuff that will be highlighted at their shop there.”

Once work begins, the store should be open within a year, said Vice Chairman Betsy McClure.