Spotlight On: Sean Kertes, Commissioner, Westmoreland County
August 2025 — Westmoreland County is looking toward a bright future as it continues to evolve in identity, vision, and industry base. In an interview with Invest:, Westmoreland County Commissioner Sean Kertes highlighted the county’s efforts to train and develop its workforce, and its strategic priorities. “We are focused on evolutionary ideas, rather than revolutionary. We want to be strong, grow, and make the county a better place for everyone,” Kertes said.
What key highlights have most impacted Westmoreland County in the past year?
In the past year, we have been heavily involved in an internship process, with the county working with high schools to make sure that we keep the youth within Westmoreland County. We have multiple districts signed up to work with local manufacturers to make sure that we are promoting the next generation with the proper tools to stay in the county, grow and raise families here. For example, manufacturing has become the second largest employer in the county. Therefore, our goal is to work in tandem at the high school and collegiate level to make sure that we are providing students with the best education possible. We have to align the workforce properly. The goal is to work collaboratively with partners to ensure we provide the students with job opportunities. Additionally, we are revamping our smaller downtown areas. We are tearing down blighted homes, somewhere around 500, to help revitalize these communities as a whole. We are also working on upgrades of our overall economic development by attracting new businesses to 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.
What have been the results of recent initiatives such as expanding broadband access?
Broadband is a major concern. As a county, we have taken the initiative on what we will do to expand services. In the eastern part of our county, we partnered up with an internet provider to offer internet to the residents who need it. Residents cannot move to an area without internet anymore. Broadband is a key requirement today. It is a necessity.
The county also celebrated its own 250th anniversary — we are one year older than the nation as a whole — by highlighting local businesses and attractions, as well as our historical sites. We had major community functions promoting the county. We will also be gearing up for the country’s 250th anniversary next year, working with state and federal governments.
How is the county evaluating its workforce development strategies?
It has been a mindset change, more than anything else. In the past when we talked about workforce development, it was geared toward attending a four-year school. College is fantastic. This county alone has four colleges that are phenomenal. However, with the declining attendance in colleges, there is a need to focus on showing students what is available in the county, working with high schools, and getting the employers on board. It is about expanding the opportunities for young people and getting them exposed to job sites by touring them so they can see the opportunities first hand. That is where the mindset shift happens. It is an activation of everyone collectively within the community, which was not happening before. We have always had funding, but when there are private businesses, government, and schools all pushing in the same direction and championing the same message, that is what is changing the whole experience. We are all saying the same things and pushing the same outcome.
What makes Westmoreland County a great place to live, work, and play?
The county offers something for everybody. We have many suburban areas. We are close to the city of Pittsburgh and close to Downtown. We have farmland and also areas that are more isolated. It depends what someone is looking for. We have smaller downtowns; we have five downtown regions that are akin to little cities. They are quaint and walkable. It is very diversified depending on what someone wants. We have great school districts and it is very safe as well as economically feasible to live here. Taxes are still lower than our surrounding counties and we provide enough services that compete with larger counties. We have approximately 350,000 residents. We are working in lockstep with community leaders to make the county grow and make it better for the future.
How does the county collaborate with nearby jurisdictions?
It is about having good conversations and constant connection with our nearby counties. It is about having open dialogue and communication. We are seeing manufacturers come across the border from Allegheny County to Westmoreland. There is such a diversity of investment happening in Allegheny County. We are getting the hands-on, blue-collar industry, while they are getting the tech, healthcare, finances, and research and development industries. This dynamic creates a strong foundation for collaboration and cooperation between our counties, and we’re excited about the direction it’s heading. 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.
What are your key goals for the county for the near term?
We want to continue what we started as it relates to improving blighted communities and revamping the areas where homes have been torn down. We aim to encourage residents to remain in the county, particularly by enhancing our internship program as a pathway to local career opportunities. We want to get more companies on board in this regard so that graduating seniors can start working in their local communities. We want to bring in more manufacturing industry and businesses to the county. We want to make this known. The county aims to effectively promote the initiatives underway. This would ensure that our messaging resonates with the public and garners their support, allowing us to sustain and build upon this progress. We are focused on evolutionary ideas, rather than revolutionary. We want to be strong, grow, and make the county a better place for everyone.
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