Washington Forward

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce developed a four-pronged strategy called Washington Forward to identify areas of focus that help promote and maintain growth in our local economy, as well as provide attention to challenges our county may confront.

Washington Forward outlined economic diversity, growing the population, partnerships, and site development as four pillars that will help guide us into the future. While the strategy is only a year old, 2024 provided insight into the significance of two pillars – economic diversification and site development.

As Washington Forward demonstrates, the ability to drive economic growth and job opportunities are based on creating an economic environment that expands existing businesses as well as encouraging new companies to locate to Washington County. For instance, local health care has been particularly active with the successful merger of UPMC and The Washington Hospital, along with significant new investments planned for Allegheny Healthcare Network’s Canonsburg Hospital. In addition, WVU Medicine is entering the greater Pittsburgh market by leasing 90,250 square feet of The Fountainhead in Southpointe.

The energy industry is especially unique as it has allowed our county to diversify in both regards. We recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the commercialization of the first Marcellus Shale gas well in 2004 by Range Resources. Over the past two decades, this industry has attracted new companies to our county, such as EQT, CNX, Olympus Energy, Tenaska, and MPLX, as well as providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive with the development of this natural resource.

As an established energy producer, our county is now witnessing lease renewals, such as Range Resources recently announcing it is extending its lease another 10 years at Southpointe, committing to nearly 146,000 square feet of space. The announced merger of local coal company CONSOL Energy with St. Louis-based Arch Resources will also expand our economic growth in energy, as the newly formed entity, Core Natural Resources, selected Southpointe as the location of its headquarters.

Washington Forward also highlighted the need for continued investment and support for industrial and commercial development sites in Washington County.

While office-based companies are still navigating the post-pandemic balance of in-person versus hybrid work models, the fact that highly skilled production workers must work onsite in manufacturing facilities should not be undervalued. This is another reason that having sufficient industrial and commercial sites available is an important opportunity for Washington County. Thankfully, we have seen investments in new industrial sites, such as Crossgates’ 135,000-square-foot facility on the site of the former Brockway Glass facility in Canton Township. This project not only created a signature building visible from Interstate 70, but it also provided much needed warehouse space for companies looking to locate to our county.

The long-term expansion of the Fort Cherry Development District in Robinson Township is also a strategic development that will take advantage of the Southern Beltway and create needed industrial sites in northern Washington County. The acquisition of Starpointe Business Park was another positive development late last year, and Alta Vista Business Park continued the positive momentum with three new building projects for the Mon Valley region.

While health care, energy, manufacturing and site development highlight some of our county’s growth in the past year, they are part of a mix of industries that backstop the strength of our diverse economy and offer opportunities for our residents to build their careers in Washington County. As a community, we must continue to invest in attracting new businesses and help our existing businesses expand locally to maintain our position as one of region’s premier locations to live, work, and raise a family.

Jeff Kotula is the president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.