Carol Fenyes, council president of Ford City Borough and Rich Chimka, council vice president of Ford City Borough
In an interview with Invest:, Carol Fenyes, council president of Ford City Borough and Rich Chimka, council vice president, discussed ongoing infrastructure upgrades and long-term revitalization efforts as she highlighted the borough’s multiyear waterline replacement project, riverfront development, trail expansions, and strategies to foster regional collaborations. “While we honor our industrial past, we are embracing fresh opportunities, whether through education, trail development, or riverfront revitalization,” Fenyes said.
What changes over the past year have impacted Ford City Borough and how do they reflect broader trends in municipal services?
Fenyes: We have been working for the last five years on an extensive waterline replacement project. We are in the middle of that project, with grant funding of $10,096,000 and low interest loan of $6,456,000 for a total package of $16,552,000 from PENNVEST, or the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. All of the 100-year-old water lines in Ford City are being replaced, along with any connections to those water lines. Any resident in town or business with a lead or galvanized connection to the water line will have it replaced for free with new PVC lines. We are eliminating all lead from our water system. Additionally, the Borough has received more than $7.5 million in grants since 2016. These grants were used to build a new Water Treatment Plant, to improve public parks and the trail system, to improve pumps in one of our pump houses which evacuate stormwater, to install handicapped accessible corners in our sidewalks and to improve accessibility to our Public Library, to name a few. Our Borough Manager, Charles Stull, has applied for an additional $4.9 Million in grant funding for trail improvements, playground renovations, stormwater pump house projects, and streetscape rehabilitation projects.
What makes the city a great place to live and do business?
Chimka: Ford City is situated along the Allegheny River, with significant riverfront space that is ripe for development. We are actively inviting developers to collaborate with private owners. Our vision includes building a hotel, establishing a museum to celebrate the heritage of the county, including its Indigenous population, and enhancing our trail system. We have a trail that runs through Ford City on old railroad lines, positioning us as an ideal trail town. An upcoming pedestrian overpass above the railroad tracks is expected to be completed by late 2026.
Additionally, while we are limited on where we advertise outside of our county, many people know that our festivals are popular. From spring all the way into fall, we have a lively town. I am on the board for Experience Armstrong, a group which promotes county tourism and economic development. We are active in promoting the area. It is important for people to see what is happening in the city and become more attracted to it. Additionally, the borough owns a parcel on the riverfront, alongside private properties, and we are encouraging development into a possible hotel, condos, and parks and kayak launches.
What challenges has Ford City encountered with regard to its aging infrastructure, and how is the Borough addressing them?
Fenyes: The primary challenge has been the inconvenience to residents during the project. Our current work is a massive undertaking as we put in all new lines, including the main lines and service connections to each house, which are being replaced within this year. We are about halfway through the project, and as a result, the town looks quite disrupted. Roads are in various stages of repair, and there are unavoidable inconveniences for citizens. Additionally, the gas company has chosen this time to replace gas lines, so the streets are particularly affected right now. However, once completed, the improvements will be significant. We have made the decision not to repair any roads until all underground infrastructure work is finished. We are now beginning repaving efforts to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.
What role do regional dynamics play in shaping Ford City’s approach to attracting investment, managing commuting patterns, and collaborating on services?
Fenyes: At present, our Planning Commission is working jointly with our Shade Tree Commission and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, based in Allegheny County, to invest in trees along our trail. We lost 12 trees in our park that were over 100 years old due to a storm in April, including the original tree planted there. We received 10 trees at the beginning of summer and planted them along the river portion of our trail.
Chimka: We also hope to collaborate with the Armstrong County Borough Association to encourage other communities to participate in the Community Heart and Soul program, which is a community-led advisory group. It is important to understand that historically, small boroughs in this county have had rivalries, often stemming from when each had its own high school. Building relationships takes time. I joined the Experience Armstrong board to foster better connections.”
Fenyes: One of our biggest achievements was securing Butler County Community College (BC3), which now has an extension here. After three years of courting them, they chose to build on the site of our old high school and this ensures that the legacy of education continues in that very location. They have become an incredible community partner, even hosting our borough meetings once a month. This shift marks an exciting new era for our city. While we honor our industrial past, we are embracing fresh opportunities, whether through education, trail development, or riverfront revitalization.”
How has public input shaped recent decisions around development and your priorities in terms of strategic plans and zoning updates?
Chimka: Public interest is crucial. There is a new program we are trying to get involved in now, and we will decide at the end of summer. Several people in the community have expressed interest in it. The program is called Community Heart and Soul. Community Heart and Soul provides coaches, though there is a cost involved. We are still determining the cost and how to approach it. This is a community-led advisory group that conducts studies, speaks with residents, and gathers information. They examine the town’s history and future aspirations. Since we are transitioning away from being an industrial town, we want to know what residents envision. This advisory board would consist entirely of community citizens, providing the council with directions. I am hopeful we will receive enough interest. The individuals currently involved have strong connections, and this initiative will help guide our next comprehensive plan. I have identified a group of individuals who are participating in on-line introductory sessions designed to facilitate the decision-making process.
What impact have the amendments in the Borough’s zoning ordinance in recent years had on development and code enforcement locally?
Fenyes: The zoning ordinance updates which have been critical in aligning our regulations with Ford City’s transition from the industrial past to a more diversified future. One significant impact has been streamlining approvals for mixed-use developments along the riverfront, where we are actively encouraging light industrial and commercial projects. Our code and zoning enforcement officer, Chris Yanoff, who also serves on the state board of the State Borough Association, has been instrumental in implementing these changes. The revised ordinances provide clearer guidelines for redeveloping brownfield sites, which has already attracted interest from private investors. For example, the 35 acres of riverfront property now under discussion would not have been viable under the old industrial-only zoning. Enforcement has become more proactive as well. By coordinating with the County Borough Association, we have standardized processes for permitting and inspections. This has reduced conflicts with developers while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. That said, challenges remain. Some legacy properties still fall into gray areas under the new classifications, which is why public input through initiatives like Community Heart and Soul will help refine these policies further.
Looking ahead, what are Ford City Borough’s key goals for the near term regarding economic development and collaborations with neighboring counties?
Fenyes: In the next two to three years, we will complete our waterline and gas line projects, make significant progress on stormwater management, and repave streets.
There are two sections of riverfront property where we hope to see construction begin within three years. The property has been sold, and we anticipate light industrial or business development. Additionally, there are about 35 acres of privately owned riverfront land that we would like to help develop, possibly for hotels or other businesses.
Ford City is fortunate enough to be home to two international companies that bring global recognition to our borough. BelleFlex is a manufacturer that supplies products for the Pacific Rim and even the International Space Station. They have been a tremendous asset to our community and recently launched a new division called PulFlex, which molds fiber into innovative shapes. One of their breakthroughs is indestructible telephone poles that are ideal for remote mountainous regions and fire-prone areas, as they are both durable and fire-resistant. We are excited to see their continued growth.
The second company, KPM Hercules, specializes in precision steel equipment for mills worldwide. Founded by Ford City natives, they have been operating here since the early 2000s and remain a key employer. Additionally, both businesses are located in what we affectionately call our brownfields, that are former industrial sites that have found new life through modern manufacturing. The brownfield sites hold great potential, and we are eager to see further development in the coming years as a third company will relocate to this site soon. Projectile Tube Cleaning is locally owned and operated and works in nuclear power plants around the world.
