2 min read October 2022 — Jeff Kotula, president of Washington County Chamber of Commerce, talked with Invest: about what differentiates the county from the rest of the region. Kotula also discussed the emerging industries that he’s excited about and his vision for the county in the next three to five years.
What differentiates Washington County from others in the region?
Over the past 20 years, Washington County has concentrated on diversifying our economy. Pittsburgh was always known for steel, iron, glass and coal production and as Washington County is about 30 miles south of the city, we were dependent on these industries that powered the entire economy of the region. Over two decades ago, we started working to change that by fostering new industries like advanced manufacturing, healthcare and higher education. We did not want to be dependent on one large industry as the basis of our economy; however, we also know how to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. Roughly two decades ago, we saw tremendous opportunities for our county as the energy industry moved into the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. No other county welcomed the national gas industry like we did. In fact, we were dubbed the “Energy Capital of the East” for our promotion of the energy industry. We saw the opportunities that it would present. Not only would it bring the energy producers to the county, but it would attract their secondary and tertiary suppliers. The power to prosper was right under our feet, and we worked with the industry to advance our economy.
What are some significant milestones that the county is proud of concerning economic development?
One of things that we are proud of is the completion of the airport connector, which now connects Washington County to the Pittsburgh International Airport. Not only does it make it easier to travel, but it opens new opportunities of land development along the corridor going North. We have lower taxes, and we see a lot of people moving to and residing in Washington County as a result. Not only is the traffic better but it opens investor opportunities along the corridor.
What are some emerging industries that you’re excited about?
We should be better known for titanium production. We have some of the largest titanium manufacturers in the country located here in Washington County-starting with Perryman Company. These are advanced manufacturers of specific products, which is added value for us and helps us diversify our economy. Energy continues to be big for Washington County. We are trying to become more diversified in the industry that we have here. Not only manufacturing but also healthcare and finances. We have some of the larger banks located here. It has helped ensure that we can grow at a steady pace.
From an advocacy standpoint, what are your priorities?
We want to make certain that we are taking full advantage of our energy industry. Natural gas has helped reduce pollution, has helped encourage new manufacturing in this country and has helped lessen our reliance on foreign sources. We like to advocate on behalf of the energy industry regarding those three topics to ensure that they remain in the forefront. We are not against up-and-coming energy, such as wind and solar. We want to make sure that we are advocating for a diverse energy portfolio.
How would you assess the strength of Washington County’s business community?
Our companies tend to be very nimble. One of the things that we keep highlighting is our commitment to continue growing and supporting our manufacturing base. You cannot work from home and build a product. During the pandemic, we saw a downturn in our hotels, restaurants, and other service businesses. A lot of those are supported by our local industries, such as manufacturing. Our challenge is to find future industrial sites to support that growth. We see the advancement of our manufacturing industry as the future for us.
Now, we are seeing a lot of companies not wanting to be in a traditional downtown setting. We see a lot of companies wanting to spread their workforce around the region so they can take advantage of the work from home modality. In Washington County, we are well positioned for that. One of our best-known mixed-use office and light industrial parks is Southpointe. It offers a lot of amenities for a great lifestyle, such as homes, a championship caliber golf course and restaurants. Various smaller companies are moving in, especially those that have hybrid work schedules. For now, this is something that we should take advantage of.
How would you describe the quality of the workforce in the county?
We are fortunate because Washington County has a strong industrial heritage. Many families that live here come from those that started in those manufacturing industries of years past. We encourage students to not only explore college and higher-education opportunities but to explore opportunities in the trades. If this is done, it will help us overcome the skills gap that we are currently seeing. We are no different from other locations in the country. A lot of our employers are having difficulties finding employees. One of the challenges that we have is encouraging students to take advantage of these great opportunities in the trades. This is something we are focusing on.
What is your outlook for Washington County over the next three to five years?
We have a positive outlook. We continue to grow at a great pace. We are taking advantage of the opportunities that come along and, at the same time, building on the foundation of a diverse economy. I have been in this position now for 23 years and I am more excited about our county’s future now than I have ever been in the past.
For more information, visit:
