Oct 14, 2018 3 min read

The past decade has seen tremendous economic growth in Washington County. The expansion of the energy industry, the resurgence of the manufacturing sector and the strength of industries such as health care, education and financial services has created a dynamic and, more importantly, diverse economy that allows for steady economic growth and increased job opportunities for our residents. Washington County’s private sector businesses have led this growth through capital investment, innovation and vision.

However, what is unique about our county is that our growth has also been driven by investments made by the public sector, specifically our county government through the Washington County Local Share Program (LSA). This fund derived from a percentage of gaming revenue from The Meadows Casino has been a leading factor in our growth for over 10 years and its impact has been substantial.

Recently, our chambers – the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and Washington County Chamber of Commerce – hosted a joint meeting between our members and Washington County Commissioners Larry Maggi, Diana Irey Vaughan and Harlan G. Shober Jr. to discuss the history and accomplishments of the Local Share Program as well as its positive impacts on our local municipalities, communities and economic development efforts. From the commissioners’ presentation to our members, the Local Share Program has been both a success in our county and a model for our commonwealth.

According to the commissioners, the LSA Program has invested more than $88.7 million in county economic and community development projects over the past 10 years. These resources have been awarded to infrastructure (water and sewage) projects, business park expansions and economic development efforts. LSA funds have been invested in job-training programs such as welding and commercial drivers (CDL), housing refurbishments and blight removal. It also has been utilized to improve tourism attractions like the Aquatorium in Monongahela and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Chartiers Township, in addition to community pavilions in Washington, enhancements to the Greater Washington County Food Bank and senior centers across the county.

While these investments are impactful, even more impressive is the leverage (or matching funds) the LSA program has attracted. Since 2008, the LSA program has matched its $88.7 million with more than $384.9 million in leverage. Combined, the LSA Program has invested more than $473.7 million – nearly half a billion dollars – in economic, job training, community and municipal projects throughout Washington County.

It is apparent from the commissioners’ presentation that the LSA Program has been a major engine in the growth of our local economy, and it is also clear that the program is a model in our state for its transparency and effectiveness. No other county in the state that receives gaming funds awards them with the level of transparency, local decision making or public application process as in Washington County – a fact that has been recognized by state officials time and again.

The investments of the private sector over the last decade complemented by the LSA Program has allowed our business and residents to “Share the Energy” of our great county and provide a solid foundation for our future economic success. And through these public/private partnerships, Washington County will continue to advance its leadership position among Southwestern Pennsylvania counties in economic growth and job creation.

Leanna Spada is executive director of Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Jeff Kotula is president of Washington County Chamber of Commerce.