Business View Civil and Municipal | April 2021

69 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL APRIL 2021 MCKEESPORT , PENNSYLVANI A and walk before you run. But it’s exciting to see that, now, we are jogging. If it wasn’t for COVID-19, it would be a very fast jog – almost a run. We’re very grateful to be where we are because the pandemic has hit everyone so hard, yet we’re still at the point where things are moving along.” Indeed, development is happening all over town. Most notably, at the Regional Industrial Development Corp.’s Industrial Park of McKeesport, the city has welcomed manufacturers such as American Textiles and River Materials Inc., which purchased 17 acres of land that was previously considered undesirable for development. Cannabis manufacturer, PurePenn LLC, recently completed a huge expansion – growing from approximately 20,000 sq. feet of production area to well over 100,000 sq. feet. PurePenn is looking to expand to a much larger footprint, eventually having more than half a million sq. feet and employing upwards of 1,000 people. Currently, they have close to 150 on staff and they are hiring. Cherepko notes, “We’re anticipating them to be a major employer in the city – providing sustainable jobs to raise and support families here in McKeesport.” Other diverse businesses are being welcomed into the park, as well, such as Y & Q Home Plus, a cabinet manufacturer, and CybX, a data security company. “Our RIDC park is really starting to move ahead and we’re very excited about what that brings,” says Cherepko. “Having that many new jobs in our city could be a big revenue boost to our community. Another plus to that is when someone comes here and finds a job and discovers they can become a homeowner of a property that would cost much more in other areas. A four-bedroom house is very affordable, with a mortgage payment that would be much less than if you rented.” A significant development planned for the city’s East End, along the E. Fifth Avenue corridor, was put on hold due to the pandemic but is still in Mayor, Michael Cherepko