Building the Foundation for Growth Across Pennsylvania

Through advocacy, collaboration, and visibility, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development helps make the Commonwealth’s site-readiness initiative, PA SITES, a success across the Pittsburgh region.

What Is PA SITES?

Helping Pennsylvania Compete for the Future of Business

PA SITES is a statewide initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) designed to ensure the Commonwealth is ready for what’s next. Through targeted funding for critical pre-development activities—such as environmental assessments, grading, and infrastructure upgrades—the program transforms potential properties into investment-ready opportunities.

By enhancing the visibility, readiness, and marketability of sites across the state, PA SITES provides Pennsylvania with a significant competitive advantage in attracting new industries, generating high-quality jobs, and fostering sustained regional growth. It’s not just about preparing land—it’s about preparing communities to compete for the future of business.

The Conference’s Role

Advocacy 

Partnership 

Progress 

As a leading voice for economic growth, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development (ACCD) plays a pivotal role in aligning regional priorities with statewide investment strategies that fuel site readiness and business attraction.

Through data-driven advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and strategic marketing, the Conference ensures that Western Pennsylvania remains competitive—not just for today’s projects, but for the industries of the future.

Our work includes:

• Advocating for State Investment – Championing policies and funding that expand Pennsylvania’s site-readiness pipeline and position the Commonwealth for long-term success.
• Connecting Developers to Opportunity – Helping site owners and communities access state resources and increase visibility through the PA SITES Directory.
• Collaborating Across the Region – Uniting municipalities, utilities, and private developers to accelerate project timelines and share best practices that strengthen the entire ecosystem.
• Integrating Data & Marketing – Partnering with our affiliate partners at the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA) to promote ready-to-build sites to national and international investors through coordinated storytelling and digital outreach.

Together, these efforts ensure that every prepared site becomes a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and community prosperity across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Why Listing Your Site Matters

Your Site Could Be the Next Big Opportunity.

Listing your site isn’t just about visibility—it’s about turning potential into progress and making sure Western Pennsylvania is ready to win the next big investment.

Regional Success in Action

From Policy to Impact

Across Western Pennsylvania, collaboration through PA SITES has already turned underutilized properties into hubs for new investment.

First Round

• Fayette County – $821,524 grant to the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council for Phase I development of the Lemont Rail Park site in North Union Township. The access road and stormwater improvements will result in 82 acres of newly developed industrial rail property to attract new manufacturing and industrial businesses.
• Washington County – $250,000 grant to the Mon Valley Alliance to conduct a feasibility study for a 542-acre site along State Route 136/PA Toll 43, located above former mining operations.
• Westmoreland County – $6,984,906 grant to RIDC Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund to rehabilitate existing buildings 37 and 38 on the former Alcoa manufacturing site, now the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park. The rehabilitation of the shell/framework will open the almost 130,000 square feet of space for the operation of a business at the 70-acre business park.

Second & Third Round Released at the same time

• Allegheny County – $6,000,000 grant to Nichol Avenue McKees Rocks LLC to assist with the phase two development of a distribution and logistics park on a 72-acre brownfield site, the former Pressed Steel Car Company McKees Rocks Works Plant, in Stowe Township. PA SITES funding would include acquisition of land along the rail-spur, soil screening and disposal, rail-spur reconstruction, stormwater controls, utility relocation, sewer line replacement, and remediation.
• Washington County – a total of $7,700,400 to Imperial Land Corporation. A grant of $5,175,000 and a loan of $2,525,400 for work on phases two and three of the Fort Cherry Development District (FCCD). When combined with phase one, the initial phases of the FCDD will feature approximately 2.3 million square feet of space at full build-out. Industrial, flex, and office users ranging from 90,000 to 500,000-square-feet can be accommodated. PA SITES funds will go to the extension of roadways (including associated stormwater management) and site utilities (water, sewage, stormwater, and gas).

These projects demonstrate how advocacy, funding, and partnership drive economic readiness throughout the region.

Looking Ahead

Advancing Policy. Driving Competitiveness.

The Allegheny Conference continues to advocate for predictable, performance-based investment in site readiness at the state level.

By aligning regional partners and state resources, we’re helping ensure that every county in our region is positioned for growth — today and for the future.

Get Involved

Do you have a property or project that could qualify for PA SITES or benefit from inclusion in the statewide directory?

Our team can help you get started.