MVA awarded $250,000 grant for feasibility study
The Mon Valley Alliance (MVA) has been awarded a $250,000 grant to conduct a feasibility study on redeveloping 542 acres at the intersection of Routes 136 and 43, an area considered ripe for industrial growth and regional revitalization.
The grant is through the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development’s (DCED) PA Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (SITES) program, which was established to provide grant and loan funding to develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand.
Gov. Josh Shapiro secured $500 million for site development, including $400 million for the PA SITES program in the 2024-25 budget.
The state is investing $64 million in 11 projects through the first round of grants in the program to build shovel-ready industrial sites to attract business.
The feasibility study will examine the site’s potential for environmental remediation, infrastructure improvements and economic revitalization. It also will evaluate how best to prepare the land for development while ensuring community needs and environmental standards are met.
“It will research the history, the site use, what’s the highest and best use that can be envisioned there, what further infrastructure investment would be needed to further develop pad-ready sites whether it’s for commercial, industrial, housing, retail residential or whatever it’s going to be,” said Jamie Colecchi, Mon Valley Alliance CEO. “We just want to get a sense of what that cost is going to be.”
The focus is two parcels of land where mining once occurred in Carroll, Nottingham and Fallowfield townships. The site is located near Ringgold High School with easy access to Allegheny County via Route 43, which is anticipated to eventually connect to the parkway (Interstate 376).
“Whenever Carroll Township received their appropriations for extending the sewer line up (Route) 136 past Ringgold High School, we just started looking at sites around 43 and 136 to develop,” Colecchi said.
The sewer line extension was integral in getting funding for the study.
Ken Hillman, chair of the Carroll Township supervisors, said funding from numerous sources was acquired for a $5 million sewage line extension, including federal funding and county Local Shared Account money.
The sewer project will involve the extension of a line that currently stops at Ringgold High School to State Route 917 and Ginger Hill Road in Ginger Hill.
“There’s approximately 74 homes out there that currently don’t have sewage, along with the Ringgold bus garage that they are currently in the process of redesigning,” Hillman said.
Plus, development of the land will benefit the community, Hillman said.
“It’s going to be a big economic boost not only to Carroll Township, but also Fallowfield and Nottingham because of the potential possibility of a business park and industrial park that we’re looking to do there,” Hillman said. “Getting the grant funding for the sewer line extension is what really made this a potential possibility out there. Without sewage out there, we can’t do anything.”
There is no time frame for the study.
“It will be a 12-month process to get the study going,” Colecchi said. “We’re looking to start the study as soon as possible so we can understand what our next needs are, sooner rather than later.”
The MVA will lead the project in collaboration with state, county and local partners.
Colecchi said the grant marks a major step forward in transforming underutilized, mine-impacted land into a driver of regional growth and prosperity.
“This project represents a truly transformative opportunity for the mid-Mon Valley,” Colecchi said. “Through this partnership, we can reclaim land, catalyze economic growth, and build a new foundation for reshoring manufacturing and creating quality jobs. It’s a chance to invest in our people, our environment, and our future. We’re looking to keep stacking wins wherever we can.”