5 min read August 2022 — Westmoreland’s appetite for growth is as large as its determination to work together across the public and private spheres to address what Dan DeBone, president and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, believes is the county’s top priority: workforce development. DeBone spoke about this and more in a wide-ranging interview with Invest:.
What notable highlights for the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce would you like to share?
Coming out of 2020 and moving into 2022, we witnessed a dramatic increase from member engagement and Chamber participation throughout Westmoreland County. From the small moms and pop stores and businesses to the larger corporations and non-profits, employees and businesses were eager to re-engage. It’s no mistake that COVID has been a huge challenge for our business community. As a matter of fact, we lost 18% of our membership during COVID, but we’re on track to exceed that loss by the end of the year and we’re now projected to become one of the largest chambers of commerce in Southwestern Pennsylvania by the second quarter of 2023.
Due to the feedback from surveys we’ve conducted over the last 12 months, we immediately took an aggressive approach to add and offer more value and content to help our members. This includes a variety of new educational programs, training webinars, “lunch and learns” and advanced networking opportunities where members thrive in sharing their stories while connecting and promoting their business to our vast membership. To mention a few, we added additional programs from HR and workforce development training to advanced social media and leadership guidance to help organizations exist and thrive. Most importantly, we’re constantly adding and introducing new programs that correlate with new trends, which are constantly changing due to the constant uncertainty and fluctuation of today’s economy.
What is on your radar in terms of policy or legislation that might affect your members or the region overall?
While my background is within a variety of leadership positions in operations, marketing and communications, the majority of my professional career included government affairs and legislative advocacy, which has allowed me to bring a vast array of connections amongst PA local, state and federal officials.
As a resident of Westmoreland County for more than 23 years, I was ready to jump right into my new leadership role at the Chamber in June of 2022 by tracking, communicating and in many cases advocating for or against several bills and legislative initiatives. This would potentially protect, but most importantly propel new business growth and economic objectives, which could ultimately complement the county’s comprehensive plan that has been established to regrow Westmoreland County following the loss in population over the last decade.
A few key items included the reduction of the corporate net income tax (CNI), the replacement of Act 89 and the ability to successfully advocate for more discretionary dollars for infrastructure improvements for the region, which could have lasting impacts throughout the business community now and in the future.
I spent a lot of time in Harrisburg this past year in hopes of getting some traction to reduce the CNI. Reducing the CNI would not only help our region become more competitive, but it would help increase population while improving home values and wages without negatively impacting state revenue. It would also help jump start new investments while leading to economic growth. This would initially make Westmoreland County more attractive for new or existing companies wanting to relocate from other states or countries. I’m thrilled to report that such efforts actually paid off prior to the approval of the 2022-23 state budget. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, PA’s 9.99 percent CNI – which has been the highest flat rate in the country – will be reduced to 8.99 percent with automatic, annual .50 percentage point reductions until the rate reaches 4.99 percent in 2031.
I have also continued an aggressive advocacy campaign to obtain dedicated, predictable and growing funds for roads, bridges and highways at the federal level. As many are aware, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in November which is directly aimed at improving physical infrastructure by authorizing the federal government to spend new funds on roads and bridges, public transit, clean drinking water and wastewater systems, high-speed internet and clean energy, among other projects.
Although funding has and/or will continue to be distributed to states and counties through a formula allocation process, there are plenty of competitive discretionary dollars that could greatly enhance our residential and business communities now rather than pending future level funding allocation. I have also been working with Jason Rigone, executive director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation, and Jim Smith, president & CEO of the Economic Growth Connection, who have been instrumental in bringing new businesses to the county. I’m not only extremely fortunate to work with but most importantly learn from two incredible leaders who have and will continue to make a huge economic impact in new growth and development throughout the region for years to come.
What industries are leading the growth in the area and helping diversify the economy?
To begin, 14% of our industry in Westmoreland County is in manufacturing. Westmoreland County is part of the 10-county Pittsburgh region and offers its own unique strengths and character for business locations. With its expansive area, access to major transportation arteries, comprehensive industrial park system and strong work ethic, Westmoreland has the business climate to assure success. That’s why so many companies have grown strongly in our county. Manufacturing has and will continue to play a very important role within our community now and decades beyond.
Exemplified by the huge numbers of European immigrants who came to Westmoreland to work in coal mines, steel mills and glass factories during the Industrial Revolution, Westmoreland County is distinguished by a workforce that boasts traditional work ethics, values and pride. Our loyal and hard-working people are the basis to the solid manufacturing foundation that we continue to build on.
In addition, we’re extremely proud that autonomous vehicle testing is also within our backyard. As a matter of fact, a new $20 million facility for testing and research of self-driving vehicles is being built in Westmoreland County. The project will be built on 100 acres of state-owned land at the Regional Industrial Development Corporation in East Huntingdon. It will feature a three-mile test track and other facilities available for lease to private companies that build and test self-driving vehicles. The facility, named Pennsylvania Safety, Transportation and Research Track — or PennStart — also will serve as a training center for emergency responders. Once complete in late 2024 or early 2025 the facility will be the first of its kind, being able to replicate high-speed, high-traffic situations and will certainly put Westmoreland County on the map. It’s important to note that the autonomous vehicle industry creates more than 6,300 jobs and another 8,600 in indirect positions in the region, generating $651 million in labor income and nearly $35 million in state and local tax revenue. Having this testing facility at the peak of advanced technology is certainly one huge advantage.
Last, the recent merging of Excela Health and Butler Hospital is also a major area of growth that will bring new talent, advanced medical technology and more. When combined, the new systems are expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue. It could potentially employ over 7,300 people and have more than 1,000 physicians and practitioners to serve about 750,000 people in Butler, Clarion and Westmoreland counties. The new system would bring together Excela’s three locations, Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, Latrobe Hospital and flagship Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, with the two Butler Health system hospitals, Butler Memorial Hospital and Clarion Hospital in Monroe Township, Clarion County.
What is on your radar in terms of policy or legislation that might affect your members or the region overall?
Workforce development is our top priority, especially within the Chamber. With a labor force approaching 200,000 people, our active economic and industrial development corporation is always identifying new opportunities for local employers and employees. The Westmoreland County Commissioners, through its Department of Planning & Development, in concert with the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RACW) and the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland (EGC), have combined the resources and expertise of these private and public agencies in an effort to improve and coordinate economic development efforts in the county. In conjunction with the Chamber and other local organizations within the county, these groups work very hard to make Westmoreland County a more attractive place to do business. It is our main focus today and it will remain our focus for years to come. We’re striving to turnaround the loss and decline of population, which has been our county trend for the last ten years.
What other trends do you see emerging in the region and how are they impacting the business community?
Although the Chamber is certainly focused on the business community, it is important that our members, residents and more understand how nonprofits help people and our communities, while overall helping sustain and grow our economic footprint. Nonprofits are employers with payrolls exceeding those of most other U.S. industries, including construction, transportation and finance. A substantial portion of the nearly $2 trillion nonprofits spend annually is the more than $826 billion they spend on salaries, benefits and payroll taxes every year. Also, nonprofit staff members pay taxes on their salaries, as well as sales taxes on their purchases and property taxes on what they own.
With over 160 non-profit organizations throughout our county, it’s important that our business community is made aware of the vast level of services, support and value they bring to our residents and communities, which ultimately help residents, communities and organizations live, work and play.
What is your outlook for the region for the next three years and your priorities?
I am excited to share and introduce a new 5-Point Strategic Action Plan which will concentrate on new member initiatives as well as enhance our business and county objectives that were developed through a recent member survey and Chamber Board input. After weeks of planning, in-depth conversations and a strategic planning session, we identified, developed and selected initiatives to cultivate a thriving business environment. This Plan will help our county see how the Chamber’s focus will mean more for businesses and their employees. We’re providing the tools and resources to attain greater success individually and on an organizational level as well as maximize the value of membership.
Our Strategic Plan is a document that outlines our commitment over the next three years, which includes various principles that address the following opportunities of greatest importance to the betterment of the county: (1) Increased community involvement; (2) Becoming the voice of business; (3) Understanding how and why diversity, equity and inclusion connects to the current and future economic footprint; (4) Educating members on how to use the chamber to improve your business; (5) Increasing our legislative advocacy upon promoting and protecting the business community.
For more information, visit:
https://www.westmorelandchamber.com/
