Pittman, Cooper Applaud PA SITES Funding Awarded to Industrial Development Project in New Kensington

May 6, 2025

NEW KENSINGTON – Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Rep. Jill Cooper (R-55) announced today the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) awarded a nearly $7 million PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) grant to Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund.

The funding will be used to rehabilitate existing buildings 37 and 38 on the former Alcoa manufacturing site, now the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park. The rehabilitation of the framework will open a roughly 130,000-square-foot space for the operation of a business at the 70-acre business park.

“RIDC is working to transform this site into a modern, dynamic place for business to take root and grow,” Cooper said. “This funding will allow RIDC to continue to pave the way for new businesses in our region, boosting our economy, and more importantly, providing more family-sustaining jobs for our residents.”

“As part of the overall state budget which I voted for last year, I am pleased to see these funds returning to northern Westmoreland County for a significant economic development project,” said Pittman.

PA SITES is a program designed to build shovel-ready industrial sites across the Commonwealth in order to attract businesses, investment and good-paying jobs to Pennsylvania.

PA SITES funding can be used for planning grants to conduct plans or feasibility studies for prospective sites, as well as construction grants and loans to help finance strategic investments to enhance sites across the Commonwealth. Award amounts are determined based on a competitive analysis that includes the applicant’s need, the marketability of the fully developed site, the project’s alignment with the key industries in Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, and local and regional priorities.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives