County leaders see opportunity rising across Southwestern Pennsylvania

Writer: Melis Turku Topa

October 2025 — Southwestern Pennsylvania is experiencing a fresh wave of investment momentum driven by manufacturing resurgence, energy availability, digital infrastructure upgrades, and regional collaboration.

Between 2007 and 2023, expansions in the 10-county Pittsburgh region generated nearly $16 billion in announced capital investment, representing 54.8% of all projects tracked by the Allegheny Conference. 

The region’s industrial sector is showing renewed momentum, with manufacturing employment and output growing steadily, boosted by advanced and precision manufacturing capabilities. Natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale plays continues to serve as a backbone of regional energy production and emerging needs such as data centers. 

Infrastructure investment is also scaling up. The 2025–2028 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program allocates $28.8 billion across Pennsylvania for highway, bridge, and transit projects. As for the state’s digital strategy, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is actively deploying fiber to underserved areas under its “Internet for All” plan. Across the state, wired broadband availability now reaches about 97.5% of residents.

Meanwhile, population stability, cost advantages, and workforce alignment continue to attract firms seeking alternatives to higher-cost metros. The median home price is around $259,000, falling below the national average. On the industrial side, CBRE reports an average asking rent of $8.67 per square foot in 2Q25, competitive with or below other major Midwest markets.

Invest: spoke with four county leaders in the Greater Pittsburgh region, whose perspectives shine light on why the region is winning projects now and where momentum is building next.

Jack Manning, Commissioner, Beaver County

It’s an accumulation of emerging from the post-pandemic malaise and being well-positioned for significant incoming investment. The Shell cracker plant kept Beaver County alive and financially stable during the pandemic. Shell put Beaver County on the map, highlighting its features: the Ohio River, a strong industrial waterway; rail lines, the one of the largest rail yards east of the Mississippi; access to highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and close proximity to an international airport. Now, we’re seeing investments from Europe and domestically materialize in Beaver County. Connectivity is crucial for investment. It’s as vital as electricity, water and sewer. We’re as good as anyone, and better than most, in broadband and connectivity, which is also setting us up for hyperscale and smaller scale Al data centers. Our proximity to the airport 15 minutes away and other places in downtown Pittsburgh, coupled with financial stability, low taxes, affordable housing, and some great educational institutions, collectively makes it a desirable location.

Sean Kertes, Commissioner, Westmoreland County

We are focused on evolutionary ideas, rather than revolutionary. We want to be strong, grow, and make the county a better place for everyone. Manufacturing has become the second largest employer in the county. We are seeing healthy growth in our industrial parks, and many manufacturers from all over the world are showing interest in the county. Residents cannot move to an area without internet anymore. Broadband is a key requirement today. It is a necessity. It has been a mindset change, more than anything else. There’s a clear regional shift taking place, Allegheny is becoming increasingly tech-driven, while Westmoreland is growing as a center for skilled manufacturing and trades.

Nick Sherman, Commissioner, Washington County

Washington County is blowing up, and as someone born and raised here, I’m very proud of the region. We are making sure we are holding the line on spending and not overextending ourselves, while still aggressively moving forward with economic development. We have no plans to raise taxes in the near future as we’re finding more revenue through oil and gas taxes. We have started video and audio live streaming to Facebook, which gives residents the ability to see what we are doing. We float on natural gas and have the ability to double production at a moment’s notice, including building new pipelines. We don’t have the electrical capacity that we once had, and microgrids are trying to pop up everywhere. We have the LNG here to power microgrids. Our county airport has a waiting list for private jets, which can attract people with capital and money to the county.

Leslie Osche, Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Butler County

Continued growth along the corridor includes new housing and business developments. We have great access for logistics firms and freight across rail lines and roadways. Our quality of life continues to attract young families. Approximately $36 billion in GDP crosses that roadway annually. Giant Eagle relocated its corporate headquarters to Cranberry Townships, along with other key businesses.Our county airport was approved by the FAA for a control tower – the only one between Pittsburgh and State College. Butler County maintains the lowest property tax rates in the region. The county has more small- and midsized manufacturers than any other county in Pennsylvania. We have a lot of energy development here, and are seeing increased natural gas production. There is a particular interest in using that to power a future data center hub. The Southwest PA region had a $64 million Build Back Better grant that allowed us to launch training in AI, automation, and robotics.

Want more? Read the Invest: Pittsburgh report.