True development is comprised of goals and objectives aimed at strengthening and growing all facets of a community. New recreation opportunities and the availability of affordable housing are just as critical to a community as are the issues of job retention and creation. For over a decade, Farrell has engaged in activities geared toward the revitalization of the entire city – from both an economic and community development standpoint. Working by itself and, when appropriate, with local non-profit organizations, the city has converted numerous abandoned and under-utilized properties into opportunities for industrial, residential, and recreational development.

Economic Development

The following list, while not exhaustive in its scope, represents some recent economic development projects undertaken in the City of Farrell that have produced positive results:

• Legacy Commons – a 20-acre industrial park located on a portion of the former site of Sharon Steel was developed by a local non-profit organization

• Hillside I Industrial Park – a 4-acre industrial park located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) in the northwest corner of Farrell

• Hillside II Industrial Park – an 8-acre industrial park (adjacent to Hillside I) that will be developed using $500,000 from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and $573,000 from the City of Farrell; will open in the spring of 2005
  The City’s Hillside Industrial Park Phase II is ready for development.

• Former Farrell City Park – 10-acre site of the former City Park is now occupied by medical and professional offices

In addition to these key developments, the City of Farrell offers businesses the following benefits:

• Access to the city’s Revolving Loan Fund

• The opportunity to locate their business in a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) which offers numerous tax breaks to eligible companies

• Easy access to Interstates 80 and 79, Route 60, and the PA and OH Turnpikes

Community Development

Community development projects do not always garner the attention or headlines associated with industrial or job-creating projects. However, in order for a city to remain viable, projects that focus on fostering a sense of community are just as important. In the past several years, Farrell has benefited from several important and, in some cases, on-going community development initiatives, such as:

• Centennial Place – the Mercer County Housing Authority and a private developer teamed up to construct new, affordably priced homes and apartments

• Gargano Towers – Farrell contributed $100,000 to Community Action Partnership towards the construction of affordable housing geared toward senior citizens

• Continued improvements to the city’s playgrounds and recreation facilities

• The Mercer County Housing Authority recently completed a fully accessible triplex in the Herbet S. Garster Development, as seen to the right.
• City completed a $500,000 street improvement project in the Centennial Place neighborhood in 2008
• Independence Park - A Community Action Partnership development, provides 10 units of housing.

     UPMC Horizon Hospital

Herbert S. Garster Development

Centennial Place

Independence Park

Useful Links

• Penn-Northwest Development Corporation
  Mercer County's lead economic development agency

• Northwest PA Commission

• Pennsylvania Keystone Opportunity Zones

• Pennsylvania Select Sites

• Team Pennsylvania

• New Pennsylvania Website

• Invent PA