A Rising Star in Western Pennsylvania

With an enviable outdoor oasis and and a rosy economic outlook, this gem is one to watch

Offering an attractive blend of rural charm, welcoming community, and significant economic potential, Armstrong County is a true Pennsylvania treasure. Situated near Pittsburgh, the county provides an ideal balance between small-town living and easy access to urban amenities. With a landscape defined by the Allegheny River, rolling hills, and an extensive trail network, Armstrong County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a promising destination for businesses looking to establish themselves in a growing region. County Commissioner, Anthony Shea asserts, “The pump is primed within the county to accommodate a lot of growth, and it’s ready for the taking.”

Diverse and United Communities

Commissioner Shea emphasizes Armstrong County’s strong sense of community, which he notes is its defining characteristic. “Our county has so many little ecosystems. Each area is very unique, it has its own personality. Whether you’re in Leechburg, whether you’re in Apollo, we have just so many little gems throughout the county,” he touts.

Each town has its own unique way of bringing people together, with a myriad of events and festivals, from Kittanning’s Christmas Market to Leechburg’s holiday-themed events, to Ford City’s ethnic festivals and Dayton’s Amish heritage. “Each area has its own distinct flavors,” he adds. “Our communities all stick up for each other. When somebody’s down the whole community gets together. There’s no place like here where everybody comes together for the common good.”

Economic and Workforce Development

Armstrong County is prepared for economic growth, with infrastructure projects and strategic development plans in place. Darren Alviano, Director of Planning and Development emphasizes, “We want to see industries and companies come here that provide good family sustaining wages. We want these jobs in which workers can afford to have a nice, comfortable life in the manufacturing sector.”

He highlights the county’s four industrial parks, including the flagship RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park, developed in partnership with the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC). “They are the largest industrial developer in southwestern Pennsylvania and perhaps in the state,” he depicts. “Being a small economic agency, we have partnered with them. We’re relying on their expertise and knowledge in the field of growing industrial parks, developing spec buildings, bringing in companies from within state and out of state.”

With its proximity to top research institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, the county is hoping to attract tech development and light manufacturing opportunities. Natural gas extraction also contributes to the county’s economy, while the healthcare industry continues to grow. Memorial Hospital, Armstrong County’s largest employer, plays an essential role, alongside local manufacturers like Cook Medical and Bergad Specialty Foam, which produce medical tools and supplies.

Recognizing the importance of workforce development, Armstrong County is home to Lenape Technical School, which provides vocational training to high school students in auto mechanics, medical fields, law enforcement, welding, and more. “That school has been very successful in getting our younger kids the skills they need to go right out of high school and into a family sustaining job,” Shea maintains.

Lenape also offers adult education programs, providing opportunities to upskill and transition into new careers. “We work with the community to find out if there’s a need of some sort, and we get a workforce developed to meet that niche really quickly,” he conveys.

Investments in Infrastructure

Infrastructure remains a top priority in Armstrong County, as Alviano details, “Being Pennsylvania, with the population spread throughout, our roads and bridges are vital for not only our residents, but the businesses who are within the county.”

With this in mind, Armstrong County works with the Department of Transportation to maintain and improve State Route 28, a vital corridor connecting the county to Pittsburgh. “We work with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, who does a lot of the programming of funds for PennDOT,” explains Alviano. “It’s the last undeveloped corridor coming out of Pittsburgh, and it also is the quickest way to the Eastern and Northeastern part of the US.”

A major broadband expansion initiative is also underway, with a goal to provide high-speed internet to even the most rural parts of the county within the next four years, supporting remote work opportunities. “Within the next 18 to 24 months, we’re going to close the loop on most locations having to house fiber. There’s still some outliers, but those are all targeted four years from now,” reports Shea. “The work from home opportunity for people is tremendous. You can have a nice, quiet place here, and still have a high paying job.”

An Exceptional Quality of Life

Armstrong County continues to invest in public amenities to enhance its offerings for residents, and the Belmont Complex, a county-owned ice rink and aquatic facility, is undergoing a master plan to become a self-sustaining recreational and wellness hub, partnering with local healthcare providers. “We’re looking at different options on how we want this facility to look now and over the course of the next 30 years,” expands Alviano. “We think that having a top notch community wellness, recreational complex in the heart of our county would be a big draw for families looking to move to this area to raise their kids and enjoy the amenities.”

Along with this, funding is being sourced to conduct a study of all recreational facilities within county boundaries. “We will be identifying who the owners are, who’s responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the facility, and what the game plan for improving those is moving forward,” he says. “We think quality of life plays a major factor in where people choose to live, and we want Armstrong County to be the place where they choose.”

Armstrong County has many quality of life amenities on offer, from kayaking on the beautiful Allegheny or Kiskiminetas Rivers to enjoying a scenic walk on Pennsylvania’s most extensive trail networks, with over 100 miles of interconnected trails running through its scenic landscapes.

With trail usage booming, bringing in thousands of visitors, Shea says, “The parking lots are full of cars with bike racks. The businesses are catching on and providing services along the trail.” Along with this, a public-private partnership with ARDC ensures the county’s river locks remain open, facilitating recreational boating along the Allegheny River and enhancing water-based tourism.

Armstrong County also has a rich historical legacy to share, with the Battle of Kittanning in 1755 serving as a key event. Efforts are underway to refurbish a historic train station and develop reenactments to attract heritage tourism. Agritourism is a growing draw, with venues like Renshaw Family Farms providing scenic locations for weddings and seasonal events, while local farms and farmers’ markets showcase the best of rural living. The horse park, under the authority of the Fort Armstrong Horseman’s Association is another regional attraction.

“They do rodeos throughout the year,” says Shea. “We’re doing a big fundraiser for them now, they’re looking after grant funding. They want to have a roof over the stadium so we can have rodeos throughout the year.”

A Vision for Growth

With its picturesque setting, affordable housing, and strong sense of community, Armstrong County is growing in popularity as an attractive destination to live, work and play, creating a need for more residential options. With land available for development, the county is working in collaboration with the Armstrong School District and the Industrial Development Council to incentivize home builders to come to the area.

“We’re a pro development County. We try to use anything that’s available that a local government economic development agency can use to attract investment,” says Alviano.

Currently, the county is partnering with developers to expand its housing stock, with plans for 60 new homes and potentially hundreds more in the pipeline. “Right now, if you’re looking to buy a newer home in Armstrong County, you can’t find one. And if you do find a newer house on the market, the price is high because the supply of them is so low,” Alviano acknowledges.

“We greatly want to increase our new housing stock. That’s what the market is showing young families are demanding, so we’re going to meet that need.”

Looking to the future, Shea says the focus is on economic development and making sure Armstrong County has the infrastructure in place to support the high-tech industry coming in.

“We will also be working with the different communities to totally capitalize on the strength of our natural resources, so we can showcase the quality of life within our county,” he maintains.

“That’s what we have to offer. It’s not the hustle and bustle of a big city. It’s the small town charm that we have.”

At A Glance

Who: Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
What: A county on the brink of growth
Where: Western Pennsylvania
Website: www.co.armstrong.pa.us