Mon Valley officials say collaboration key for business development
Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter
This is a prime time for business development in the area.
That was a prevailing theme at Friday’s Mid-Mon Valley Economic Symposium.
Rich Fitzgerald, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and former county executive for Allegheny County, served as the keynote speaker.
Fitzgerald expressed optimism at what lies ahead economically in the region.
“The opportunities we have for young people are probably better than they have been in the last four decades. If you want to stay here and you enhance your skills and you go learn a skill that can make you employable, you’re going to find a job here in the Mon Valley and Southwestern Pennsylvania,” he said.
He cited opportunities such as the proposed 900 megawatt data center power plant at the former Robena Mine site in Greene County.
“Why has Southwestern Pennsylvania become such a mecca for data centers? Because we have the assets to make that happen. … The only way you can really do those kind of megawatts that are needed are coal, gas and nuclear, and we have all three in abundance,” said Fitzgerald.
The symposium included remarks from state Sens. Camera Bartolotta and Pat Stefano and was moderated by John Timney, senior director economic development Allegheny Conference.
Each stressed the need for collaboration for a successful future in the region.
“Anytime we have a business, manufacturer or any kind of industry coming into the district that is deciding to relocate, expand or start fresh, I always urge that person to please come to us first because I literally will go with them and their developer to the office of the (state Department of Environmental Protection),” Bartolotta explained. “Get to us immediately. We can probably clear the way for any of these issues.”
Stefano said he keeps in close touch with municipal leaders “because they are the frontline.”
“They’re going to hear about issues right away. They’re going to feed that back to me,” he said. “We can be like a concierge to all these levels and departments of the state so we can make sure your business is operating.”
State Sen. Kim Ward was scheduled to participate, but was called back to Harrisburg in her role as the senate president pro tempore to work on the state budget. That offered some hope to those in attendance.
“Face-to-face meetings with leadership and the governor usually mean you’re going to try to pound something out and get to a resolution,” Bartolotta said. “I’m just hoping we have a budget and a solution that does not increase our spending by billions of dollars that we just don’t have.”
Jamie Colecchi, CEO of the Mon Valley Alliance, highlighted the achievements of that organization and hoped those in attendance came away with information to help work toward a strong economic future.
“All of us share the same goal, to see a thriving Mon Valley,” Colecchi said. “When people get together, good things happen,” he said.