State Rep. Jill N. Cooper | Pennsylvania 55th Legislative District
State Rep. Jill N. Cooper | Pennsylvania 55th Legislative District
State Representative Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland) announced that more than $6 million in funding has been awarded for improvements at the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park in New Kensington.
“New Kensington and the surrounding communities have been continuing on a path of economic development, and the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park is a big reason why,” said Cooper. “Businesses there are offering family-sustaining wages, and you are seeing spin-off economic growth because of it.”
The award comprises a $2.4 million grant and a $3.6 million loan, aimed at covering demolition costs at the park. The funding comes from the Commonwealth Finance Authority’s (CFA) Business in Our Sites program, which focuses on site development to make project areas shovel-ready, thereby attracting new and expanding businesses. The CFA operates through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
The New Kensington Manufacturing Park was once home to Alcoa Corporation’s research and production operations before being acquired by the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. and the Regional Industrial Development Corp. in 2023. The park spans almost 70 acres with 18 buildings and houses several manufacturing companies including steel fabricator Affival, which employs roughly 70 people, and air filter manufacturer Filterbuy, which employs 120 people. In addition, Re:Build Manufacturing opened its first factory at the park last year, creating 300 new jobs.
In April, following a nomination by Cooper, government leaders in New Kensington received a 2024 DCED Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence for their ongoing economic revitalization efforts.
“Mayor Tom Guzzo and the rest of New Ken’s council clearly understand that community revitalization begins with economic development,” said Cooper. “Seeing this renaissance occur in New Kensington is a blueprint of how local and state leaders help neighborhoods reinvent themselves.”
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724-875-8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper
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