COVID-19, sadly, is still in business and is affecting businesses both globally and locally. The problem of the epidemic is not serious now, but it is still part of the mixed factors that have caused economic problems in the United States and other countries. This collection of conundrums the topic of Observer-Reporter annual list of the top 10 business stories.
1. Money is important
Consumers have to contend with rising inflation, consumer spending issues, rising prices, shrinking housing affordability, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and massive unemployment. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates to combat the recession, and may continue to raise interest rates in 2023.
However, there have been positive economic signs recently. The Wall Street Journal report last week that inflation is cooling; consumer spending rose slightly in November; and the chains were working fine. Hiring and wages have gone up.
Food and restaurant prices remain high, and many businesses continue to post “signals of demand,” but after peaking, fuel prices have fallen to an 18-month low nationwide.
2. The Mon Valley Alliance continues its progressive ways
It was a big year for the Mon Valley Alliance.
A new leader was named, as Jamie Colecchi was appointed to lead the organization in April. Colecchi succeeds Ben Brown, who left his role as CEO to become director of the customer experience and innovation for Community Bank.
At that time, Mary Stollar was named the new director of real estate and financial development for the organization.
Also, Colecchi and his three employees moved into the former Community Bank branch building in the heart of Monongahela’s business district in September.
MVA launched its Economic Playbook in April. The Playbook is an interactive and collaborative marketing and advocacy strategy to promote economic development and sustainable urban investment.
MVA also received a $2 million government grant to continue building the Donora Industrial Park and expand Barchemy, a chocolate and confectionery manufacturer.
The organization also announced the first Neighborhood Partnership Program to be established in the Mon Valley. This NPP is a six-year plan designed to provide $1.5 million to Charleroi for community development projects and community services.
3. Washington Health System endures
It started as a small hospital in 1897, and was eventually merged with other medical centers in the city, and later it began to blossom into a large building built on a farm donated by a local family.
125 years since its founding, Washington Hospital continues to grow. It has grown into the Washington Health System, with 20-plus facilities and nearly 2,000 full- and part-time employees, 300 clinical staff and 300 volunteers. It is the largest employer in Washington County and among the top employers in Greene, according to the department of Labor & Industry.
Being an independent health organization has many challenges, yet WHS has dealt with two global pandemics, two world wars, polio, recession, inflation, and other challenges of the day.
“My lesson from our ancestors,” says president/CEO Brook Ward, “is that they had less technology, less science and less knowledge than today, and they made it back then. If they made it, we made it.”
4. Eating comes, goes
One of Washington’s most popular restaurants closed at the end of August, when husband and wife Michael and Georgetta Williamson retired and closed Solomon’s Seafood and Grille after 33 years. “It’s sad, but the time has come,” Michael said after closing.
The owners, classmates at Washington High School in the early 70s, strive to provide the highest quality food with variety, great service and a smile to the customers. He started with a small shop on Henderson Avenue in 1989, where he sold fresh fish and filled orders, and four years later he moved to a larger place that Michael built on Hall Avenue.
After success in Washington, the owners of Chicco Baccello decided to open a second coffee house in Canonsburg. Chicco launched last winter in a strip mall off West Pike Street.
Two other hot spots in Washington that, together, have been in business for more than 130 years are still going. Shorty’s Food has been grilling its hot dogs on West Chestnut Street for nearly 90 years, when Joe Vucic Jr. is heading into his 42nd year preparing desserts at Joe’s Bakery.
5. Business Incubator makes the first year
The Ignite Business Incubator celebrated its first anniversary when it was launched at 57 Chestnut St., Washington, on June 1.
In that first year, Ignite provided more than 700 hours of support.
Another project offered by Ignite is the Ideas 2 Enterprise (I2E) Business Planning Workshop Cohorts, which provide training to local businesses to help them develop a business plan. The next batch is planned for February.
Through these services, some businesses are able to grow, while others who may be new to mobile have opened brick-and-mortar locations.
“Seeing businesses succeed and expand their business or open a brick and mortar is proof that something special is happening here in Washington County,” said Lauren LaGreca, Ignite director. “Intentional actions create sustainable strategies. We continue to grow and succeed, and it’s just a testament to what we have here in Washington with these businesses and these small businesses.”
Ignite is based out of the Greater Washington Area Business Incubator. It connects, supports, educates and empowers entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing services such as mentoring, advice or networking.
6. Economic development is returning
Economic development has returned to the 10-county region.
These were the highlights from the 15-year Pittsburgh Region Business Investment Scorecard released in June by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its partner, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.
This report details the business announced in 2021 – including major investments and new and retained projects,
Washington, Greene and Fayette counties all reported good numbers on the scorecards.
Washington County listed 18 projects, including Innovative Electronics, which is building a 50,000-square-foot building at Starpointe Business Park in Burgettstown. The district’s scorecard also listed 10 development projects.
Greene County listed three investment projects and one development project. Fayette County cited two development projects.
“Washington has always been among the most active states,” said Jim Futrell, vice president of market research at the Allegheny Conference. “Greene tends to be a little quieter, even though the announcements there have increased from two to four, and Fayette remains steady at two. It’s a good repeat within the three regions.”
7. Broadband growth continues
Broadband expansion in underserved and underserved areas remains a priority.
Washington County began its expansion project in January with a pilot program near Avella by partnering with Hickory Telephone to provide high-speed Internet to Meadowcroft and 50 homes in Jefferson Township.
Several other projects were approved using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and the telecommunications companies distributing the funds. County officials also announced a multiyear deal in October to bring broadband to 6,500 customers in 10 counties across Washington County at an estimated cost of $50 million.
Greene County officials announced in December that they received a $1 million grant from the CNX Foundation that will be used to partner with Kinetic and Windstream to install a fiber cable in the northwest part of the county. The project is part of a series of projects that include the installation of transit corridors in southwest Greene County and the upgrading of residential services around Waynesburg, Carmichaels and Mt. Morris.
Fayette County received $1.1 million in federal funding to be used to expand broadband services in some underserved areas. This helps the state make up for the $5.3 million that was spent on VITALink to establish 29 Internet “hot spots” throughout the state using federal CARES Act stimulus funds by the end of 2020.
Broadband is also gaining significant support among proponents of the McGuffey Area Revitalization Initiative, which focuses on economic development and revitalization along the Interstate 70-Route 40 corridor, from Washington to the West Virginia panhandle.
8. Cracker plant operation
Six years after Royal Dutch Shell announced plans to build an ethylene cracker plant in Beaver County, the petrochemical plant began commercial operations in November.
The $6 billion project, in Potter Township along the Ohio River, is moving forward — and running into trouble. Shell exceeded its air permit limits two months in a row this fall, during the initial period, and received a notice of violation from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The production of plastics is expected to be the main result of this project. The synthesis plant “breaks” the ethane molecules into petrochemical building blocks that can be refined to make polyethylene, a plastic used in a variety of applications, from food packaging to automotive components.
Pennsylvania offered a $1.6 billion tax incentive to Shell to build the facility in Beaver County in exchange for 600 ongoing jobs.
9. Claysville area project
An ambitious economic development/revitalization project along the Interstate 70-Route 40 corridor, stretching from Washington to the West Virginia panhandle, has a long way to go. But it is progressing.
Revitalizing Main Street (Route 40) is a major goal of the Claysville Area Preservation and Revitalization Initiative (CAPRI). Although the area’s commercial properties are attractive, improvements are needed in the only district within the McGuffey School District.
Local officials have received $116,250 in taxes from the state to go toward the purchase and possible renovation of the Sprowls Hardware complex at 234-238 Main St., a dilapidated building that has been missing since 2013. “a well-known building in the community.”
10. Roller skating returns to Donora and Roll ‘R’ Way
Roll ‘R’ Way Skating Center opened Nov. 4 and was greeted by long lines of people waiting to get in the first two nights. The regular crowd continues to flock to 590 Galiffa Drive.
“It’s been great,” said Frank Quintin, owner of Roll ‘R’ Way. “Things are moving.”
Quintin bought the old Valley Skating Center, which was built in 1983 by the Shoup Family and was open until August of this year. Linda Shoup Miner, who owns the property, said none of her descendants wanted to run the business, so it was sold.
Although the early days of the skating center have been playing sports and sports, there are big plans. Pickleball is expected to begin early in the new year and two concerts are already planned.
