Category: Local Businesses, News || By

Business development in McKeesport is not an contradiction in terms.

And that's what the city will try to prove tomorrow to more than 150 business owners and local officials at the first McKeesport Economic Development Summit, to be held at the Palisades Ballroom, Fifth Avenue at Water Street.

Events begin with a catered luncheon at noon, and featured speakers will include Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato; District Attorney Stephen Zappala, Jr.; Jack Machek, regional director of the state Department of Community and Economic Development; Richard Roberts, owner of Book Country Clearinghouse in Christy Park; Chuck Starrett, coordinator of the Clairton-Duquesne-McKeesport Enterprise Zone; and Bob Stevenson, president of the Regional Industrial Development Corp., owner of the industrial park at the former U.S. Steel National Works.

Public safety officials, including city police Chief Joe Pero and others, are expected to attend and will field questions.

Director of Community Development Bethany Budd Bauer says exhibitors also will include representatives of McKeesport Housing Corp., Blueroof Technologies, career-training agencies, the McKeesport Trail Commission, and various local government agencies and nonprofits.

The afternoon is designed as a networking opportunity for entrepreneurs who might be interested in relocating to the Mon Valley, as well as for people who already own or operate businesses in the city, Bauer says.

"We have some programs available in McKeesport that we're not sure if our existing businesses are aware of, so we're trying to get the word out," she says.

Those programs include county, state and federal tax incentives and low-interest loans targeted at distressed neighborhoods and "brownfield" (former industrial) sites.

Mayor Jim Brewster would also like to highlight some of the economic development projects that are underway, but which might not be obvious to business owners or residents.

That includes the planned "flyover" ramp between Lysle Boulevard and the RIDC industrial park, which will allow traffic to bypass the two railroad crossings (at Locust and Center streets) which provide the only access to the facility.

Construction of the flyover, to be placed at the foot of Coursin Street*, is expected to begin within 12 months. Ground was recently broken for a similar ramp between Route 837 and the RIDC park in Duquesne.

"When you work in city hall, you know about all of the projects we have going on, but you don't know if people in the city or the surrounding communities are aware of them," Bauer says.

Besides trying to attract entrepreneurs, Brewster said earlier this month that he's trying to open a dialogue with existing businesses.

Often times, he said, business owners don't know where to turn with complaints, and decide to move away instead.

"We should be reaching out to them," Brewster said. "When you're business friendly, that's friendly to your residents, because it lowers their tax burden."

Brewster is encouraging city council members to participate.

Although RSVPs were requested by April 24, Bauer says late reservations will be accepted. Call Karen or Johanna at (412) 675-5020.