County commissioners from Fayette and Greene counties were elected to the board of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites will serve as the board’s vice chairman, while Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure will serve as the secretary-treasurer.

Both terms are for two years.

The SPC is responsible for planning and prioritizing the use of state and federal transportation funding and establishing economic and workforce development priorities for the region. The agency represents 10 counties, including Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny.

The board’s new officers will focus on workforce and economic development, transportation, planning and initiatives like broadband expansion and expanding pedestrian and bicycle trails in the region, according to an SPC release.

“I am excited to work with my fellow officers and board members on initiatives that will benefit Fayette County residents and the entire region,” said Vicites. “We’ve made a lot of tangible progress in recent years on issues like economic investments and the expansion of trails, but there is still more work to do and we are ready for it.”

McClure also expressed excitement for her new role.

“Whether it is workforce development, increased access to transportation options, or outdoor recreational sites that spur local economies, our entire region is on the precipice of exciting growth,” she said.

Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian was elected the board’s chairman, and will also serve a two-year term.

View the full article at observer-reporter.com.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is awarding Kittanning Borough $500,000 in grant funding to support pedestrian and accessibility improvements for its streetscape project, according to a recently issued press release.

“Kittanning’s streetscape project is an ongoing initiative that has been a borough-driven initiative that the county fully supports,” said John Strate, chairman of Armstrong County’s board of commissioners. “The borough played significant role in our region’s history, and making these kinds of efforts to beautify and revitalize the downtown area for our residents and small business owners is another step in helping to grow the local economy.”

SPC recently completed the selection process for its discretionary competitive grant program which selects certain projects in the region to receive federal funding. The organization has a selection committee that reviews grant applications submitted from counties and municipalities within its coverage area. The grant applications are then competitively reviewed and scored to ensure that these projects adhere to federal standards. “I am encouraged investments continue to be made throughout Kittanning to revitalize the community. The (SPC) funds will complement the recent $500,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP) funding my office helped secure for this important initiative. These improvements will build upon the revitalization efforts that were made on Market Street over the last several years,” State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) said. “I look forward to continuing to support these efforts and working with the SPC, Armstrong County Commissioners, Rep. Donna Oberlander and Kittanning Borough Council. It is imperative we continue collaborating together to revitalize the county seat.”

As the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Local Development District (LDD) and Economic Development District (EDD), SPC receives an allotment of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation that it can award to entities that have improvement projects, which qualify under three areas: Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program (CMAQ), Carbon Reduction program (CRP), and the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TASA) program.

“Our borough has a rich history, and we are excited for its vibrant future,” said Chris Schiano, Kittanning Borough Council vice president, Ward 2 councilman.

“We are in the midst revitalizing our downtown corridor, and this grant will support the borough’s efforts to enact changes that will positively impact our business community and residents.”

The CMAQ and CRP programs accept applications from counties and municipalities that have projects which will help to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

Eligible initiatives under these two programs can include pedestrian and bicycle facility projects, transit improvement programs, electric vehicles and charging stations, congestion reduction and traffic flow improvements and diesel engine retrofitting/replacements.

The TASA program accepts applications from counties and municipalities for projects that support transportation alternatives, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improving access to public transportation, enhanced mobility, recreational trails, safe routes to schools and environmental mitigation.

“As the county seat of Armstrong County, Kittanning is a lively borough with a strong small business community and nearby trails that many bicyclists and walkers use,” said Rich Fitzgerald, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. “Allocating funding for the borough’s streetscape project is a tangible way for the SPC to support the community, and demonstrates that we’re focused on helping to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve.”

Initiatives like Kittanning Borough’s streetscape project reflects the vision of SPC’s Long Range Transportation Plan, which strives to ensure the region is connected and has multimodal mobility for all.

It also aligns with the organization’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategic Action Plan.

TDM focuses on the decisions that people and businesses make every day about travel, and involves providing travelers with information, options and incentives that expand travel choices.

View the full article at leadertimes.com.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is sharing plans to lessen traffic at the Squirrel Hill Tunnel inbound.

The project is part of the “Eastern Pittsburgh Multimodal Corridor.”

It will allow public transit buses to bypass the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, by creating a bus lane on the shoulder of the Parkway East (Interstate 376) from Churchill to Edgewood, connecting the parkway to the busway.

Parkway inbound traffic is something Rose MacDonell avoids.

“Even after rush hour, there’s always traffic going through the tunnels anymore. And I’m baffled as to why,” MacDonell said.

Angela Burley avoids it too, out of fear for her safety.

“I avoid the parkway because it’s very dangerous to me,” Burley said.

She opts for the long way around the Squirrel Hill Tunnel that is likely to see a slowdown daily.

Rich Fitzgerald, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, is hopeful a $142 million federal grant could lessen the traffic.

“They’re going to be building a bus lane, a bus ramp, a bus lane on the Parkway East coming by where the Churchill exit is. That will then connect up onto the East Busway at Edgewood,” Fitzgerald said.

He said this would allow public transportation buses to bypass the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. This extended bus lane will be part of what’s called the Eastern Pittsburgh Multimodal Corridor Project.

The goal is to have fewer buses passing through the tunnel and more drivers opting to commute to work via public transit.

“Anytime you make things more convenient, more reliable, quicker and cheaper, more cost-effective, people are going to use those options,” Fitzgerald said.

“It would definitely make it easier, more reliable,” East Pittsburgh resident David Tyler said.

Fitzgerald said while work could begin soon, the project will likely take a few years to complete.

View the full article at wtae.com

[…]

Pat Fabian – The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission – the economic development organization in the greater Allegheny region – has new leadership for the next couple of years. Pat Fabian, a Democratic Armstrong County Commissioner since 2016, was voted as chair of the panel, a promotion from the vice-chair position he most recently held. Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites, now vice-chair of that board, and Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure, who was chosen as secretary-treasurer, were also approved for positions on the panel.

[…]

View the full article at cityandstatepa.com.

Gus Faucher, keynote speaker at the annual State of the Pittsburgh Economy conference, apologized “for saying last year that a recession was on the way.” Following his tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment, Faucher, PNC chief economist, said he believes the nation will avert a downturn in 2024 as well.

No one assembled at the James Rohr Auditorium at PNC’s corporate headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh Wednesday morning was disappointed.

Faucher mostly delivered an upbeat forecast for the U.S. this year and for Pittsburgh, although some prepandemic issues remain unresolved here.

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE:PNC) again partnered to examine economic indicators impacting businesses in the region, as well as national and regional conditions.

IEE, part of Pitt’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, provides consulting, education and networking opportunities to businesses throughout western Pennsylvania.

Robert Stein, IEE executive director, said the 2024 conference was the ninth such event with PNC and that the relationship between IEE and the bank spans “30 years and counting.” Stein, who is also associate vice chancellor, innovation and entrepreneurship at Pitt, served as master of ceremonies and introduced the speakers.

The lineup also included:

• Lou Cestello, PNC regional president for Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Jen Gilburg, DCED deputy secretary, technology and entrepreneurship
• Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County executive
• Ed Gainey, mayor of Pittsburgh
• Rich Fitzgerald, executive director, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
• Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
• Christina Cassotis, CEO, Allegheny County Airport Authority

Common themes threaded through the presentations included: support from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration, the importance of diversity and of partnerships, restoring/reinventing downtown Pittsburgh, increasing the workforce and making sure to capitalize on federal funding opportunities.

“We need Pittsburgh to be a great place and you can’t have a great town without great entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Cestello, who also chairs Pitt’s board of trustees.

Innamorato brought up the difficulties companies still have finding employees, pointing out that there are two job openings for every job seeker.

“We have to double down on quality-of-life issues,” she said, listing transit, child care, investing in young people and homegrown talent.

Gilburg said the commonwealth has its first economic development plan in 20 years and cited key accomplishments since Shapiro took office in January 2023 to make Pennsylvania more competitive. The time frame for permits, for example, has been reduced from eight weeks to three days “and we’re trying to get it down to within a day,” she said.

Gainey said that even though things are improving, “we’re not there yet. We have to stay intentional.”

Working together is crucial, whether in revitalizing downtown, convincing young people to stay in the region or attracting outside talent.

“If we can diversify portfolios, we can diversify downtown,” Gainey said. “People have got to see their culture in the city.”

If not, he cautioned, “we will not grow up. We’ll grow old but we won’t grow.”

Fitzgerald, who was succeeded by Innamorato as county executive in January, has taken on a new role with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. He said county commissioners are eager to work together, citing strong attendance at a recent gathering in the Strip District.

“Government and economic development are really team sports,” Fitzgerald said.

Pashman noted that despite all the region’s assets, it’s not seeing results. She singled out an issue the conference is “laser-focused” on — reinventing downtown Pittsburgh — and said it expects to submit a plan to the state by the end of the quarter.

“As downtown goes, so goes the broader region,” she said.

Cassotis talked about the ways the new airport terminal is a means to create employment for Pittsburgh companies and a sense of community, and how the airport is using local business and academic partnerships to attract more airlines around the world to service the region. It will host the second Aviation & Robotics Summit in May, further shining the spotlight on southwestern Pennsylvania.

Faucher’s optimism for the national economy is spurred by multiple factors. Interest rates appear to have peaked, consumers are in good shape, the stock market is strong and employment has not only fully recovered from the pandemic but it is higher — so is economic activity — than prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He referenced PNC’s spring 2024 survey of owners/leaders of small and midsize companies, which was released early on Wednesday. Among the findings was record high optimism by the business owners about their own companies during the next six months.

“Small businesses are telling us something,” Faucher said.

Growth won’t be as strong in 2024 as in 2023, “but no recession,” he said. PNC expects the Federal Open Market Committee will start to cut the federal funds rate in the second quarter which will support growth in 2025.

But Pittsburgh “continues to fall behind,” he said, particularly due to its workforce issues which Faucher brought up at previous conferences well before 2020. Employment Is still down 2% from prepandemic levels and the region lags both Pennsylvania and the U.S. There are about 40,000 fewer people available for work and he expects it will remain an issue for several years ahead.

View the full article at bizjournals.com.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) board this week elected Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian to serve as Chair, Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites to serve as Vice-Chair, and Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Commissioners Fabian, Vicites, and McClure were elected by their fellow board members to these positions, and will serve a two-year term.

The board’s new officers will shape the commission’s work for the next several years and intend to focus on workforce and economic development, transportation planning, and other initiatives like investments in broadband, water resources, attracting business investments, and expanding pedestrian and bicycle trails throughout the region.

“Together, Commissioners Fabian, Vicites, and McClure make a dynamic team, and we are fortunate to have their leadership,” Executive Director of the SPC Rich Fitzgerald said.

“Our organization functions as a consensus builder and we work in a collaborative manner in order to support the needs of the entire region. We bring entities from the public and private sectors together to discuss wide-ranging issues that impact our 10 counties. By having Armstrong, Fayette, and Greene counties at the helm of our Board, I know that the Commissioners will elevate the priorities of all of our urban, suburban, and rural communities.”

Commissioner Fabian has served as County Commissioner since 2016. During his time as Commissioner, he has increased the County’s operating reserve fund from $600,000 to $8 million and led efforts to significantly change the County’s pension funds from $60 million to $85 million. Additionally, he has worked diligently to reduce the County’s debt by 20 percent since he was first elected. Prior to serving as County Commissioner, Fabian was a Supervisor in Manor Township. Before entering public serve, he spent more than 15 years as an outpatient and family therapist at the Family Counseling Center of Armstrong County where he was responsible for providing counseling to patients and creating individualized treatment plans. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Gannon University and his Master’s degree in Community Counseling from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

“I cannot wait to hit the ground running and serve the Board in this leadership role,” Chair of the SPC Pat Fabian said. “The entire region is well-positioned to work collectively as a team with one voice on major issues like job creation and broadband connectivity. While our approach to challenges may, at times, be different, we all have one goal—and that is to improve the overall quality of life for Southwestern Pennsylvania’s residents. We are able to advocate better for them when we all work together.”

Commissioner Vicites has served as Fayette County Commissioner two separate times. The Commissioner first served County residents from 1996 to 2011 and then again from 2016 till the present day. He was born and raised in Uniontown and has worked in county government for over 30 years. Prior to serving as County Commissioner, Vicites was the Fayette County Recycling Coordinator and started the Hard to Recycle Events at the County’s Fairgrounds, which has continued for over 30 years.

As County Commissioner, he has been instrumental in creating and retaining over 10,000 jobs and securing over $200 million in economic and infrastructure projects for Fayette County residents. He graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources from St. Francis University.

“I am excited to work with my fellow officers and board members on initiatives that will benefit Fayette County residents and the entire region,” Vice-Chair of the SPC Vince Vicites said. “We’ve made a lot of tangible progress in recent years on issues like economic investments and the expansion of trails, but there is still more work to do and we are ready for it.”

Commissioner McClure has served as Greene County Commissioner since 2020. She has been a lifelong resident of Greene County and prior to serving as County Commissioner, McClure was a registered nurse for over 25 years. As Commissioner, McClure has been focused on making the county a better place to live and work.

She is deeply committed to attracting businesses and industry development that strengthens the economic livelihood of Greene County, while ensuring that residents are still able to maintain the advantages of living in a rural community. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and her Master’s degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania.

“I am looking forward to serving in this new role, and advocating for the needs of our residents,” Secretary-Treasurer of the SPC Betsy McClure said.

“Whether it is workforce development, increased access to transportation options, or outdoor recreational sites that spur local economies, our entire region is on the precipice of exciting growth.”

SPC employs 50 individuals that work on behalf the 10 county region in Southwestern Pennsylvania. As the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO), local development district (LDD), and economic development district (EDA), the organization works to keep the region connected and moving forward. As part of this work, SPC helps counties, cities, municipalities and townships access approximately $39 billion in state and federal transportation and economic development funding that has been allocated to the region through 2045.

View the full article at: leadertimes.com.

Fayette County Commissioner Vice Chairman Vincent A. Vicites was elected vice chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for a two-year term.

With more than 60 members, including an executive committee, the SPC is a forum for regional collaboration, planning and public decision-making; focused on transportation, development, information systems and more.

Vicites has been part of the SPC for more than 17 years, and a member of its executive committee for more than a decade. He most recently served as secretary/treasurer of SPC from 2022 until becoming vice chairman this week.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by my fellow county commissioners in the 10-county region and the City of Pittsburgh to continue to serve in the leadership of a metropolitan planning organization,” Vicites said. “We’ve accomplished many projects and reached major milestones in my time with SPC, and I look forward to continuing that momentum.”

During his tenure, Vicites has worked to secure funding for a number of local projects, including $60 million for the new Masontown Bridge Construction in 2010, with discretionary money from the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.

“I was also able to convince my commissioner colleagues to advance the Mon-Fayette Expressway project to completion in Pittsburgh, after it had been tabled at a prior SPC meeting in 2017,” Vicites said. “That project is paramount to continued success in not only Fayette County, but the entire region.”

The commission operates with public involvement and trust to develop plans and programs for public investments; and fulfill federal and state requirements for transportation, economic development and local government assistance programs.

As the region’s official metropolitan planning organization, SPC directs the use of state and federal transportation and economic development funds allocated to the region – about $35 billion through 2045. In addition to Fayette County, the commission includes the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Vicites said he hopes his second-in-command office will allow him to better position Fayette County for growth and opportunities.

“I’m most looking forward to continuing my work on our ongoing transportation and infrastructure projects,” Vicites said. “In this role, I can ensure Fayette County gets its fair share of the funding, in order to maximize our local development.”

To learn more about the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, visit www.spcregion.org.

View the full article at dailycourier.com.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission board elected Armstrong County Commissioner Pat Fabian to chair that panel for the next two years.

Fabian was chosen along with Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites, who will be vice-chair of that board, and Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure, who was chosen as secretary-treasurer.

A spokeswoman for the commission said the new officers will shape SPC’s work for the next several years and intend to focus on workforce and economic development, transportation planning, and other initiatives like investments in broadband, water resources, attracting business investments, and expanding pedestrian and bicycle trails throughout the region.

Fabian, who has a master’s degree in community counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, spent more than 15 years as an outpatient and family therapist at the Family Counseling Center of Armstrong County before being elected as a county commissioner for the first time in 2016.

“I cannot wait to hit the ground running and serve the board in this leadership role,” Fabian said. “The entire region is well-positioned to work collectively as a team with one voice on major issues like job creation and broadband connectivity. While our approach to challenges may, at times, be different, we all have one goal — and that is to improve the overall quality of life for southwestern Pennsylvania’s residents.”

Fabian serves on the executive committee of the SPC board, as does Indiana County Commissioner Robin A. Gorman.

Both, in turn, are board members, with Indiana County also represented on that board by Commissioners R. Michael Keith and Sherene Hess, Indiana County Office of Planning & Development Executive Director Byron G. Stauffer Jr. and Indiana County Chamber of Commerce President Mark Hilliard.

SPC covers the city of Pittsburgh as well as Indiana, Armstrong, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties.

“Together, commissioners Fabian, Vicites and McClure make a dynamic team, and we are fortunate to have their leadership,” said Rich Fitzgerald, a former Allegheny County executive recently named SPC’s executive director. “Our organization functions as a consensus builder and we work in a collaborative manner in order to support the needs of the entire region. We bring entities from the public and private sectors together to discuss wide-ranging issues that impact our 10 counties.”

SPC employs 50 individuals, working for the federally designated metropolitan planning organization, local development district, and economic development district for the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania.

View the full article at indianagazette.com.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is awarding Butler $1,545,356 in grant funding to support sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements along downtown Main Street. This project will make improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, and increase accessibility for both local students and residents.

“The City of Butler is a vital part of our county’s economy and Main Street is frequented by all county residents,” said Leslie Osche, chairwoman of the Butler County Commissioners. “This funding will ensure that our sidewalks are safe for not only county residents and visitors, but our local students who use it as a way to get to and from their schools downtown. This project helps to ensure that their safety remains at the forefront of ongoing revitalization efforts.”

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission recently completed the selection process for its discretionary competitive grant program, which selects certain projects in the region to receive federal funding. The organization has a selection committee that reviews grant applications submitted from counties and municipalities within its coverage area.

“The city is vibrant and we have so much to look forward to,” said Mayor Bob Dandoy. “We are very fortunate to work closely with our county commissioners, and Joe Saeler from the Butler County Community Development Corporation.”

Dandoy said Saeler played an instrumental throughout the grant application process.

“When we all work together towards a common goal, our students, residents, and business community will reap the benefits,” Dandoy said.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission receives funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation that it can award to improvement projects which in three areas: Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program, Carbon Reduction program and the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside program.

“Awarding this grant to the city of Butler so that it can increase pedestrian safety for its local residents and students is one of the ways that the (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission) works to make that happen,” said Rich Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. “Students need to be kept safe on their way to and from school and when we are able to play a role in ensuring that happens — we are living up to our commitment to serve and support our region.”

View the full article at butlereagle.com.

The City of Butler will receive a grant to make additional improvements along Main Street.

Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy informed Council about recent notification from the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission concerning the awarding of a $1.5 million grant.

Dandoy credited assistance from Butler County as well as the Community Development Corporation. This money does not require any local matching funds and would be used for sidewalk repair and pedestrian safety improvements.

This project will next move into the design and drawing approval phase before being put out to bid at some point later this year.

View the full article at butlerradio.com.