Open for business: Washington Co. holding second annual Real Estate Expo
Washington County is “open for business.”
The county is holding its second annual Real Estate Expo on Thursday at Washington & Jefferson College, bringing together developers, investors, business leaders and municipal officials to discuss how to bolster the region’s economic fortunes.
The expo’s stated goal this year is to grow the county’s population by 25,000 residents over the next decade by attracting new companies and working to revitalize local communities.
Throughout the expo, there will be presentations by the county commissioners, Redevelopment Authority, Realtors Association and various other business and estate experts discussing infrastructure, schools and redevelopment.
“We have a lot of new momentum across our municipalities and rising interest from companies seeking a pro-growth environment; the time is now to bring everyone together,” county Commission Chairman Nick Sherman said. “This Real Estate Expo is designed to raise the bar and present Washington County as the region’s next major growth hub.”
The expo will offer panel discussions and breakout sessions to foster conversations about commercial business growth, residential development, financial advice and updates on projects being led by the county government.
“This is more than a real estate event, it’s about the connections made and opportunity for us as elected leaders to plan for future development and growth in a responsible way,” Commissioner Electra Janis said.
In addition to on-stage panels with conversations about commercial and residential markets, there will also be one segment that will discuss proposed data centers and the energy infrastructure needed to power them.
“Washington County is open for business,” Sherman said. “We are building a foundation for long-term prosperity, strong neighborhoods, and a growing population. This event is the launchpad.”
The expo is free and being held at the Ross Family Recreation on W&J’s campus in Washington from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, which is a pared-down event compared to last year’s daylong affair. While tickets are not mandatory, the event’s organizers asked people to register by going to www.re-expo.washingtoncopa.gov in order to help them know how many people plan to attend.
A full list of events, vendors and speakers can be found on the Real Estate Expo’s website.