Update: General Contractor JEM Group, LLC has indefinitely halted construction and filed a mechanic’s lien against Cocoa Packs because no payments have been made for work completed totaling $1.1 million.
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania — The skeleton of a building now stands in an open field visible north of Route 322, near the new gateway project at Hershey West End. Construction has again been halted at the future site of Cocoa Packs in Derry Township because there are currently not enough funds to finish the project.
The project has faced numerous delays including a contract dispute for water service between Veolia and Pennsylvania American Water. Finally in November 2024 representatives of Cocoa Packs held a ceremonial beam signing with JEM, their general contractor, and progress began on structural framing. However without enough money to continue construction, the completion date has been delayed indefinitely.
Cocoa Packs is a food bank that serves children locally. Christine Drexler, the President of the non-profit organization remains hopeful that construction will resume in 2025.
She spoke with abc27 earlier this week. “It’s a 5.3 million is the total cost of the project,” she said. “We’re about halfway there, but we need to get a home run to get us the rest of the way.”
Cocoa Packs is seeking donations here.
Harrisburg100 