Robbie Matesic, Executive Director of Economic Development 49 South Washington Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5300 / Fax: 724-852-2944
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday—Friday
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:
This site provides a summary of the various programs and initiatives in the Office of Economic Development and links to related economic development programs and services available through Greene County.
The Department of Economic Development (GCDED) serves as the administrative body for the Greene County Planning Commission, Greene County Conservation District, Solid Waste & Recycling Office, grant services and Industrial Development Authority.
The mission of the Department of Economic Development is to provide the appropriate services and develop the leadership necessary to assure that all of Greene County is planning for the future. Also, the office coordinates services related to economic planning and development activities in Greene County in such a manner that consumers will:
have available to them support services and technical assistance that is offered in a respectful and cooperative manner
be able to obtain all the information and assistance they require
have access to opportunities that will assist them to be good stewards
It attempts to accomplish this mission by making sure that developers have the resources and information necessary to make meaningful investments in Greene County.
WHY GREENE COUNTY WORKS:
As part of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Greene County is considered the “Cornerstone of the Keystone State.” The county offers a rural lifestyle with all of the advantages of a more urban setting. Located just an hour south of the Greater Pittsburgh area, Greene County provides residents with small-town or country living complete with entertainment opportunities, cultural activities, sporting events and urban amenities available just a short drive from home.
Within a 500-mile radius, Greene County provides overnight access to a population of more than 125 million people or roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population. Greene County is centrally located 20 miles between I-70 North and I-68 South via I-79. The county is home to the Greene County Airport and also offers convenient access to the Washington and Fayette County Airports, as well as being an hour south of Pittsburgh International Airport, providing for easy transportation of products from just about anywhere in the county. The Monongahela River also runs through Greene County, making the county a premier location to live and do business. Recreationally, Greene County offers quick access to state parks, lakes, rivers, skiing, hiking and diverse neighborhoods with strong family communities.
Greene County has a well-trained workforce with strong work ethics supported by state-sponsored training programs. The county government is operated by a well-educated and skilled workforce that performs efficiently for the benefit of the residents of Greene County. For a number of years, Greene County has led the state of Pennsylvania in coal production, and local mines continue each year to produce coal at record levels. CONSOL Energy's Bailey and Enlow Fork mines have been the first and second top-producing underground mines in the nation since 1993. Foundation Coal Company is setting record production levels at its Emerald and Cumberland mines. As barges and train cars carry the area's coal to every corner of the country, the annual Coal Show and Festival reminds residents that mining is more than mere history and that not all miners are retired.
The industrial division of Greene County includes Paisley Industrial Park in Carmichaels and EverGreene Technology Park in Waynesburg; Waynesburg University and a satellite facility for Westmoreland County Community College; and the Greene County Career & Technology Center for area high school students.
Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg offers advanced technology for medical procedures, an ExpressCare unit, a rehabilitation facility and specialty services, such as joint replacement, pain management, advanced computerized Tomography, non-invasive angiograms and more.
The county is home to numerous financial institutions, offering various banking services, and tourism attractions, historical museums, a genealogical society and annual events, such as the nationally recognized Rain Day.
QUALITY OF LIFE:
Exceptional quality of life with the convenience of small-town country living, just an hour south of Pittsburgh and positioned just 30 minutes away from Washington, Pa., Uniontown, Pa., and Morgantown, W.Va., are among the reasons why people choose to live in Greene County. Cultural and ethnic diversity, renowned educational institutions, medical facilities, short commutes and a low cost of living combine to create one of the most livable communities in America.
Add to this mix the region's breath-taking urban and rural landscapes and an abundance of outdoor activities and sports, and anyone can see why Greene County is such a desirable place to live, work and play.
COST OF LIVING:
Low utility costs and reasonable taxes make Greene County a very affordable place to live. The county Assessment Office strives to employ the three universal approaches to value in arriving at "Fair Market Value" of all land, improvements and minerals within the county.
This course of action provides for a uniform and equalized method of assessment throughout the county.
RELOCATING A BUSINESS:
Have a free property search conducted to see what possibilities are available for businesses in Greene County. Many attractive financing programs exist to help businesses flourish in the county, as well as two industrial parks. For more information, contact the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (GCIDA) at 724-627-9259.
GREENE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY (GCHA):
The overriding mission of all Housing Authorities through the county is to meet the housing needs of population groups that are at risk, in difficult life situations, challenging to serve, and who need help to help themselves, generically referred to as "special needs" populations.
The Housing Authority of Greene County, located at 170 East Greene Street in Waynesburg, focuses their work on serving low-income individuals and families, and disabled populations. They maintain, with high quality standards, and in an exceptional manner, 290 public housing units and 30 Section 8 vouchers. They have five FTE and ancillary cleaning and maintenance contracts. They provide intake and monitor the needs of their housing clients and apartment complexes. According to Board Members, the compliance with complex federal reporting guidelines and financial tracking is impeccable.
The shortfalls of the Greene County Housing Authority include their list of 130 applicants waiting to get into public housing (as of May, 2006) and the list of 40 clients waiting to be served with Section 8 vouchers. They have no long range strategy to overcome these shortfalls and the capacity of current staff to solve this shortage of housing units is limited.
Housing Authority Board: (updated 2/2/2012)
Ann Bargerstock, Chairman
William Groves, Vice Chairman
Michael Caruso, Board Member
Elizabeth Kennedy, Board Member
Kevin Davin, Boad Member
The Housing Authority Board meets every third Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Housing Authority Office at 170 East Greene Street in Waynesburg.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GREENE COUNTY:
Bill Wentzel, Economic Development Associate (PT Temporary)
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
