Exposure to lead, especially in children under the age of 6, can cause serious health issues, including behavioral problems, organ damage, learning deficiencies, speech and language difficulties and, in rare cases, seizures, coma or death. Children of low-income families that live in older (pre-1978) un-assisted housing face the greatest risk of lead poisoning. Across the U.S., roughly 3.6 million families with young children live in homes contaminated with lead-based paint hazards. An estimated 70 percent of Westmoreland County’s housing stock was built prior to 1978, so the need for education, reduction and prevention of lead-based paint hazards is critical.

The Community Development Division is accepting applications for the remediation of lead-based paint and home related health and safety hazards in eligible households throughout the county. Homeowners, rental property owners and tenants are encouraged to apply. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• The home was constructed prior to 1978.
• A child under the age of 6 years must reside or spend a significant amount of time in the home — or a pregnant woman must reside in the home.
• The household income limit is at or below 80 percent of the county’s area median income:

EGC helps K Castings secure low-interest PIDA loan for K Castings Inc.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced a new low-interest loan approval through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) program for a business project in Westmoreland County that will help retain nine full time jobs and create 1-3 full-time jobs over the course of three years. The loan funding will assist the business with the costs of purchasing new energy- and time-efficient equipment.

In partnership with the Consortium for Public Education, The Forum for Workforce Development is piloting a Virtual Career Mentorship program between Elliott Group and the Jeannette City School District that will give students and districts the opportunity to meet the industry-based learning indicators outlined by the PA Future Ready Index.

Industrial Development Corporation

WAB Associates LLC signs sales agreement for 6.23 acres at Westmoreland Business & Research Park

In April, the WCIDC approved an option agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland and WAB Associates LLC for the sale of a 6.23-acre lot at Westmoreland Business & Research Park in Washington Township. WAB Associated — which has six months to finalize the purchase of Lot 22 for $218,050 — represents the New Jersey-based Weiss-Aug Group, which plans to build a 40,000 SF manufacturing and office building on the lot.

Wyatt Inc. purchases 19.92 acres at I-70 Industrial Park

By having pad-ready sites available in its industrial park system, the WCIDC enabled Wyatt Incorporated to find a new home to build an expanded facility while keeping the business — and its 70 jobs — in Westmoreland County.

In February, WCIDC finalized the sale of 19.92 acres at I-70 Industrial Park that will become the future home of the Wyatt’s state-of-the-art millwork and exterior curtainwall manufacturing facility. Wyatt purchased Lot 18-R in the South Huntingdon Township park for $380,000. Plans call for a 120,000 SF facility to be built on the property. Work crews will begin construction in early summer, and Wyatt Inc. expects to move into the new facility in late 2022.

A Robinson Township-based construction contractor, Wyatt Inc. will move its woodworking millshop operation from leased space in Monessen Riverfront Industrial Park. As the company searched for space to build a larger manufacturing facility, it was important to find a location that was convenient for its employees, said Wyatt Inc. President Fred Episcopo.

“We’re very happy that we were able to keep our operation in the same general area that it’s been located in for the past 20 years and to maintain our current employees — the majority of which are local hires,” Episcopo said. “Our new home is less than a 20-minute drive from our current location, and we’re delighted to keep this operation in Westmoreland County.”

Episcopo said Wyatt expects the number of jobs at the facility to grow by 10 percent annually over its first five years of operation.

WCIDC Chairman Sean Kertes said the WCIDC was equally invested in keeping the Wyatt jobs in the county. “When it comes to economic development, people tend to emphasize — and justifiably so — efforts to bring new jobs to the county. However, it’s equally important that we help our existing businesses maintain and grow the jobs that are already here,” Kertes said. “By having a robust industrial park system, the WCIDC and Westmoreland County is able to provide several options for local businesses that are expanding, as well as those from outside of the region looking to relocate.”

To view the full announcement, click here.

One of the more unique ideas outlined in the county’s comprehensive plan, the concept of planning districts arose from the fact that communities often face some of the same challenges such as blight, barriers to connectivity and transportation, and gaps in the types of services they are able to provide. By partnering with neighboring communities to address common issues, together they can become more resilient and ultimately strengthen the fabric of Westmoreland County.

Out of the 11 Alle-Kiski communities that participated in the process, seven already have embraced the plan and symbolically committed to working together to implement aspects of the plan by adopting resolutions of support. In the coming months, those seven communities — Allegheny Township, Arnold, East Vandergrift, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Upper Burrell Township and West Leechburg — will begin working together in an intergovernmental capacity with the formation of the Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council, once agreements with the county are in place.

During the council’s first year, planning division staff will help provide administrative support as participating community leaders work to tackle topics such as

• identifying key corridors and gateways for beautification,

• establishing opportunities for coordinated regional planning and shared parks and recreation services, and

• conducting a review of municipal services to determine shared service or joint-purchasing opportunities.

The planning-district process is set to continue to the other six beginning later in 2021, starting with the Central District.

Regional Transit Plan

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) recently completed its SmartMoves Connections plan, a regional vision for public transit. The plan examined national best practices and analyzed existing land use to identify multimodal hubs and corridors within the 10-county region. View the interactive cluster map and associated recommendations for each type. The locations and recommendations within Westmoreland will help county planners and local municipalities ensure connection to the larger region and beyond. 

Redevelopment Authority

RACW seeks applicants for countywide demolition program 

The Westmoreland County Land Bank is looking for a developer for a commercial lot in downtown Mount Pleasant Borough. After property at 29 W Main St. was acquired by the Land Bank, a vacant hotel on the site was demolished to clear the way for a new reuse. Situated centrally in the East End area of Mt. Pleasant, this corner lot is bordered by a successful restaurant district and is in close proximity to the Coal & Coke bike trail, a prime location for new business development.

Interested? The suggested minimum bid is $30,000. Click here to view the development sheet. Prospective buyers can contact Shelby Michalek, marketing coordinator, at 724-830-3085 or [email protected].

We close out this newsletter with personnel news from the Planning Division, Redevelopment Authority and Community Development Division.

In 2020, the Planning Division saw some significant changes with the hiring of a new deputy director and the addition of a new planning coordinator. After more than 10 years on the job, Planning Division Deputy Director Brian Lawrence has moved on to become executive director of the county’s Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank.

“We are looking forward to Brian joining the team and leading the RACW as well as the Land Bank’s efforts to create an even more prosperous Westmoreland County” RACW Chairperson Donna Holdorf-Roadman said when Lawrence was named executive director.

Since joining the RACW and Land Bank, Lawrence has kickstarted a strategic-planning process to refocus and prioritize goals in this ever-changing climate. Strategy sessions have been taking place over the past few months and have incorporated board members and staff to create a cohesive plan for the future of RACW and WCLB.

Before taking on the new role, Lawrence certainly made an impact on the division and the county. A native of Westmoreland County, he previously held the positions of both senior planner and assistant deputy director within the division. Throughout his time with the division, he continuously worked to ensure the division was tuned in with technology, not only to better perform work but to better communicate and enable municipalities to make use of new tools and technology.

Lawrence — who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in geography both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania — established the division’s Technical Resources and Municipal Services (TRAMS) program, which provides county planners the opportunity to work with the county’s municipalities in a consultant capacity, providing much-needed planning expertise, resources, and technical assistance. Through the TRAMS program, he and the Planning Division staff guided the development of Youngwood Borough’s first comprehensive plan, Youngwood Borough’s first zoning ordinance and South Greensburg Borough’s comprehensive plan update, to name just a few projects.

Lawrence, who holds a certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners, also led the development of the county’s updated comprehensive plan, Reimagining Our Westmoreland, which was adopted in 2018 and contributed significantly to the planning and development of the county’s first sub-regional plan for the Alle-Kiski Planning District.

Now only steps away from his former office, he looks to use his training and experience as a planner to serve the residents of Westmoreland County in his new role. “I’m excited about serving the residents of Westmoreland County in a new role, helping our communities address blight, expand housing, commercial, and industrial opportunities, and repositioning our towns for the 21st century," he said.

Daniel Carpenter has been promoted to deputy director of the Planning Division; he said he's excited about the new challenges. “What most excited me about this new role was the opportunity to face new challenges, grow personally and professionally, and help lead the efforts of the Division," Carpenter said.

Originally from Virginia, but more recently a transplant from Florida, Carpenter holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s degree in geography — both from the University of South Florida. He also holds a graduate certificate in community development from USF. 

With more than seven years of experience with the Planning Division — and having previously held the positions of planning coordinator and assistant deputy director — Carpenter oversees transportation planning and programming and directs the division’s TRAMS program. His primary goal for the Planning Division? “My aim for the division is to simply help improve our communities and county, one day at a time. And for the Planning Division to be an asset, advocate and agent of change for our communities.”

Last but not least of our personnel news is the addition of Londe Dandar. In early 2021, the Community Development Division hired her as the intake coordinator and interviewer for the new Lead Paint Hazard and Healthy Homes Program. Dandar — who has a bachelor's in psychology education and a master's in education — handles outreach, education and interviewing; facilitates the application process, coordinates related activities and serves as liaison between the program's partners. She previously worked as an administrative assistant, teacher and admissions representative for several universities.