Business View Civil and Municipal | April 2021

73 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL APRIL 2021 down all the blighted buildings and get the site shovel-ready for development. All of this just happens to be directly across the street from the new Port Authority Transportation Center that’s under construction. We’re very excited about how things are coming together in downtown McKeesport, and soon our jog will become a sprint.” NPP funders include Noble Environmental, Duquesne Light, First Commonwealth Bank, and UPMC Health Plan. To further address the blight problem, as part of the NPP, the City of McKeesport and McKees Point Development Group are working in partnership with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh to improve owner/occupied houses and also rehab some for resale. The Cherepko administration also has a great relationship with Penn State University, whose Greater Allegheny campus is located in McKeesport. “I can’t speak highly enough of their Chancellor, Dr. Jacqueline Edmonson, and the collaborative effort that we have,” says Cherepko. “As a Penn State grad myself, who went to the local campus for two years, I’m so proud of that partnership.” In the city-owned Common Ground Building, Penn State operates a Launch Box to provide knowledge and assistance to start-up businesses – giving them six months to a year to build a strong foundation and grow their business. “It’s been extremely beneficial to those who have taken advantage of it,” Cherepko says. “Our slogan here is ‘Working together for a better McKeesport,’ and without question Penn State Greater Allegheny, under Dr. Edmonson’s MCKEESPORT , PENNSYLVANI A