Fay-Penn director dicusses business climate
CONNELLSVILLE — A local economic development leader discussed Tuesday some of the issues plaguing the business climate of Fayette County and ways the county can be promoted to attract businesses.
Bob Shark, executive director of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, spoke to community members at the Connellsville Canteen as part of the Lunch and Learn series hosted by the Fayette County Cultural Trust and the Seton Hill University E-Magnify program.
Shark reviewed several sets of data comparing Fayette County to the U.S. and Pennsylvania, noting that the county’s population decline over the past 70 years and its aging workforce are out of line with nationwide and statewide trends.
A significant percentage of the county’s population is 40 years or older, with about 8 percent age 55 to 59, Shark said.
“What does that mean in ten years? About 8 percent of the workforce will be retiring all within that same time period,” Shark said. “That’s a huge problem to replace that level of skill and expertise that has been developed in that age group that will no longer be available.”
Also discussed was the county’s employment rate sitting 10 percent below national and state rates, the median household income significantly less than national and state figures and the number of places to work fewer per capita.
Shark said there are a number of advantages that the area possesses from a business perspective that an economic developer can promote to persuade businesses to come to, remain in or grow in Fayette County.
Shark cited land availability, transportation amenities, a ready workforce, cost effectiveness, a prime location and good quality of life and community support as potential draws for businesses.
“For businesses outside the county, (land availability) is the number one criteria — pad-ready sites in order for them to locate there.”
Comparing the region to a more expensive area like New York, Shark said the relatively low cost of living in southwestern Pennsylvania can be attractive for businesses looking to relocate their operations to a more cost-effective area.
“Fayette County costs about 78 percent of the national average to live here, to have the same quality of life from a financial perspective,” said Shark. “You can pay your employees less (than in New York) and have them experience a higher quality of life. Your business costs are lower and your employees are happier.”
Being located between two hubs like Pittsburgh and Morgantown, West Virginia, having good rail, air and port access and possessing a workforce that largely fits into a particular industry sector like manufacturing are all positive attributes for business potential in Fayette County, said Shark.
Shark stressed that Fay-Penn is an available resource for local business owners to utilize.
“We’re here to help the economy in Fayette County,” Shark said of the organization, citing its objective to increase employment, investment and the tax base in the county.
“Ultimately, what we’d like to be is the first-stop shop economic development organization in Fayette County. With a staff of 18 we certainly do have a lot of talent, a lot of capability, a lot of skill sets within our own office, but we don’t have everything,” Shark said.
“But if we don’t have the in-house expertise, we’ll go out and get it for you. So if you come to Fay-Penn with your business development needs, whether we have the staff to do it or not, we know somebody else that can help you,” he said.
Shark noted the initiatives Fay-Penn plans to launch in 2015 to help provide future leadership and to open doors for local businesses and farmers, including the Fayette Leadership Academy, the Fayette Business Alliance and a small business incubator program.
The next Lunch and Learn session will be held at noon March 17 at the Connellsville Canteen and will feature Will Bernstein of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.