Community leaders Friday hailed the opening of the new Bastian Tire and Auto Center at 2940 Reach Road as an example of a family business that creates new jobs and helps the local economy.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies for Bastian's newest store drew various dignitaries and other invited guests to the site, who were given tours of the facility.
New manufacturing operations will include a tire and auto center for cars, light trucks and fleets, a distribution center for tires, auto parts, and snow spreaders, and a tire retreading plant.
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MIKE REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
Dignitaries line up Friday at the new Bastian Tire and Auto Center on Reach Road to cut the ribbon to officially open the business.
Bastian also will locate administrative operations from the location.
"We added five employees with this new building," Jonathan Bastian told those gathered for the ribbon-cutting.
Three employees will be added next year.
Two years ago, Bastian's opened a Muncy store.
Like the Muncy store, the new 180,000-square-foot site, which involved renovation of a former warehouse, has included "green" initiatives, such as energy efficiency lighting, Bastian said.
"We have been pretty much green since the mid-1960s with our retreading operations," he added.
Bastian noted that his father, Jack started the business in 1958 which has since grown to include eight sites and 120 people.
State Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, said Bastian's is an example of what can happen when a local company works hard.
"Jack Bastian had a vision before many of us were born," added state Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport.
That vision, he said, has lasted three generations of the Bastian family.
Williamsport Mayor Gabriel J. Campana said he was impressed by the presence of eight Bastian facilities in the area.
"It's why I have faith in this city," he said.
Lycoming County Commissioners Jeff Wheeland and Tony Mussare said they were happy to see the Bastian family contribute to the local economy.
"These people are willing to take risks necessary to bring jobs here," Mussare said.
Family businesses such as Bastian's make for a strong economy, said Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce President Vince Matteo.
