"Tax Hikes Hit Western PA as Shapiro Administration Pours Millions into Business Growth"

Trivia Question❓

In 1953, what unusual event occurred in Greensburg, PA involving a four-legged chicken named "Mike"?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

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Westmoreland Buzz

Westmoreland Buzz is the Heartbeat of Westmoreland County!

Shapiro Administration Invests Nearly $4 Million to Boost Business Growth in Westmoreland County

The Shapiro Administration is investing nearly $4 million through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to boost business growth in Westmoreland County.

In Penn Township, Weaver Investments Inc. secured a 10-year, $2.1 million loan to build two advanced, energy-efficient buildings in Bushy Run Industrial Park.

Tenants Sunbelt Rentals and East Penn Manufacturing have already signed on, reflecting the strong demand for modern industrial space.

Meanwhile, Yerty Auto Service, Inc. in Altoona received a $1.85 million loan to expand operations, creating 10 new jobs and preserving 22 more in Blair County.

Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has helped secure over $35.9 billion in private investment, fueling job growth statewide.

These initiatives highlight a strong commitment to economic progress across Pennsylvania.

🗓️ Upcoming Westmoreland County, PA Events (January 13, 2026 - January 19, 2026

January 13, 2026:
Campus Visit Day at Seton Hill University – Greensburg (Free) Sound Bath and Journaling Session – Greensburg (Paid) Welcome Week: Winter Warm-up – Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood (Free)
General School Board Meeting – New Kensington-Arnold School District (Free)
Penn Township Board of Supervisors Meeting – Harrison City (Free)
Baby Storytime – Delmont Public Library (Free)

January 14, 2026:
Welcome Week Student Social – Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood (Free)
Planning Commission Meeting – Mount Pleasant Township (Free)

January 15, 2026:
Board of Commissioners Special Meeting – North Huntingdon Township (Free)
Welcome Week: Caricatures and Novelty Art – Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood (Free)

January 16, 2026:
Community Music Program Recital – Seton Hill University, Greensburg (Free)
Wrestling: WCCA Championship Tournament – Burrell High School/Greensburg Salem (Paid entry)

January 17, 2026:
Life in Christ Community Meal and Volunteer Service – Saint Vincent College, Latrobe (Free)
The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America – The Palace Theatre, Greensburg (Paid)
Hempfield Recreational Basketball League Games – Hempfield Township Athletic Complex (Paid participation/Registration)

January 18, 2026:
Prayer for Christian Unity Interdenominational Service – Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica, Latrobe (Free)
Adult Pick-Up Pickleball Session – Hempfield Township Athletic Complex (Paid)

January 19, 2026:
MLK Day: "Where Do We Go From Here?" Speech Discussion – Fred M. Rogers Center, Latrobe (Free)
MLK Day: Prayer Service for Peace – Saint Vincent College, Latrobe (Free)
Construction Crew Building Event – Peoples Library, New Kensington (Free)
Winter Items Community Donation Drive – Saint Vincent College, Latrobe (Free/Donation)

Need a Pet Sitter for your next out of town visit or vacation? Find one now!

Here is the 7-day weather forecast for Greensburg, PA:

Tuesday, January 13, 2026: High 45°F, Low 28°F, Cloudy with light rain at night

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: High 43°F, Low 29°F, Light rain followed by rain and snow

Thursday, January 15, 2026: High 28°F, Low 16°F, Snow showers

Friday, January 16, 2026: High 28°F, Low 16°F, Partly sunny

Saturday, January 17, 2026: High 32°F, Low 20°F, Snow showers

Sunday, January 18, 2026: High 30°F, Low 17°F, Mostly cloudy

Monday, January 19, 2026: High 30°F, Low 15°F, Partly sunny

The Eyes are Here!

Westmoreland Buzz

Put Your Business Where the Eyes Are!

📅 January 2026 – Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings

📍 Wednesday, January 21, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎀 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony — Bluebird Counseling of Western Pennsylvania
Celebrate the official opening of Bluebird Counseling’s new office location in Westmoreland County.

📍 Thursday, January 22, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎀 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony — Resnick Roofing & Contracting, LLC
Join the Chamber and community for the official ribbon cutting of Resnick Roofing & Contracting’s new business location.

📅 February 2026 – Grand Openings & Related Business Events

📍 Sunday, February 1, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🏢 Open House — Bluebird Counseling of Western Pennsylvania
Drop in to tour the new office space and meet the Bluebird Counseling team (following their ribbon cutting).

(Note: While this is an “open house” rather than a ribbon cutting, it’s tied directly to the business’s opening activities.)

📌 Upcoming Business-Related Events (Networking & Growth)

Date	Event
Jan 13	Wake Up Westmoreland – Kennametal (Networking)
Jan 27	Business Speed Networking & Lunch Event
Feb 5	New Member Orientation
Feb 19	State of the County 2026 (Commissioners address business climate)
Feb 25	BASH hosted by Elements Salon & Wellness Spa (Networking)
Feb 27	Non-Profit Session (TBD)

All above are hosted by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

📌 Projects to Watch in 2026

Project/Business	Type	Approx. Timing
Chipotle (Irwin)	New restaurant	Likely 2026 (pending approvals)
Sheetz (North Huntingdon) – Route 30	Convenience store rebuilds	Winter / Spring–Summer 2026
Dick’s House of Sport (Westmoreland Mall)	Retail flagship	Target: Summer 2026
Dayton Freight cross-dock facility	Logistics	Construction 2026
Hitachi Energy expansion	Manufacturing growth	2026 development
RIDC Westmoreland Innovation Center	Industrial commercial space	Tenant arrivals TBD

Have a business opening, community event, local hero story or pet-related news to share? Email Us your updates for next week's newsletter! westmorelandbuzz@gmail.com

Interesting Facts

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is home to the first professional football game ever played in 1892, between the Latrobe Athletic Association and the Jeannette Athletic Club.

Local Shoutouts, Local Heroes, Local Causes, Fundraisers, and Volunteer Opportunities

Olivia Kovach Wins Advanced Gymnastics Title – Local Hero Shoutout – Mt. Pleasant senior Olivia Kovach achieved a standout victory on Jan. 11, 2026, by winning the advanced division title at the Happy New Year Gymnastics Invitational hosted at Kiski Area with an impressive score of 37.65.
Ashli Sjolander’s Inspiring Academic Journey – Local Shoutout – Recognized on Jan. 6, 2026, Westmoreland County Community College student Ashli Sjolander is being highlighted for her dedication as a parent in college, building a legacy for her family while pursuing her degree.
Jake Fink Leads Greensburg Salem Hockey – Local Hero Shoutout – News on Jan. 4, 2026, highlighted Greensburg Salem hockey player Jake Fink as an up-and-coming leader for the team, demonstrating remarkable growth and commitment to the sport.
Melinda Cody’s Community Photography Feature – Local Shoutout – Local photographer Melinda Cody received community recognition on Jan. 6, 2026, for her striking photography capturing Northmoreland Park covered in snow, which was featured by the county's official news outlet.
Wake Up Westmoreland Networking at Kennametal – Local Event – The Westmoreland County Chamber will host a morning networking event on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM at Kennametal Inc. in Latrobe, allowing community members and business leaders to connect and share initiatives.
Fundraising Forward: Navigating 2026 Trends – Professional Development Fundraiser – On Jan. 15, 2026, non-profit leaders can join a virtual, interactive session hosted by Maureen Mahoney Hill, CFRE, to explore evolving donor behaviors and strategic innovation for philanthropic giving in the new year.
Seton Hill Community Music Program Recital – Community Arts Event – Seton Hill University will host a public recital for its Community Music Program on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, showcasing local musical talent.
Saint Vincent College Winter Item Donation Drive – Local Cause – As part of Life in Christ Week (Jan. 17–23, 2026), Saint Vincent College is accepting donations of new and lightly used winter items to assist local residents in need during the cold weather months.
Jared Box Project Volunteer Event – Volunteer Opportunity – Community members and students are invited to join the Saint Vincent community between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23, 2026, to assemble Jared Boxes—small gift boxes filled with toys and games—for children currently in local hospitals.
Vitalant Community Blood Drive at Saint Vincent – Local Cause – Representatives from Vitalant will be on campus between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23, 2026, to assist community members and guests in donating blood to support local healthcare facilities.
Westmoreland Food Bank Mobile Unit Care Packages – Volunteer Opportunity – Volunteers are needed during the week of Jan. 17, 2026, to assist the Westmoreland Food Bank mobile unit by assembling essential care packages for distribution to residents across the county.
Westmoreland Food Bank Warehouse Support – Volunteer Opportunity – The Westmoreland Food Bank is seeking volunteers for its Delmont warehouse the week of Jan. 19, 2026, to help sort and repack donations to keep daily operations running smoothly.
Westmoreland County Preschool Expo – Community Resource Event – Families searching for childcare and preschool options can attend the Preschool Expo on Jan. 26, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to meet with local providers.
Steam Night at Nicely Elementary – Educational Community Event – The Greensburg Salem School District will host a "Steam Night" on Jan. 29, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Nicely Elementary, offering science, technology, engineering, and arts activities for local families.
2026 Hometown Hero Banner Project Applications – Local Honor Opportunity – The Greensburg Community Development Corporation has officially opened applications as of Jan. 11, 2026, for the 2026 Hometown Hero Banner Program, allowing residents to honor local veterans and first responders with banners displayed throughout the city.

Have a business opening, community event, local hero story or pet-related news to share? Email Us your updates for next week's newsletter! westmorelandbuzz@gmail.com

If you apply to adopt , please let The Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Westmoreland Buzz Newsletter!

Looking for a new best friend? This week, we're delighted to feature Emmy, a female Mix Dog from The Humane Society of Westmoreland County who is eagerly awaiting a forever home!

Emmy's Story

🐾 Meet Emmy!
Action-packed, clever, and full of love 💕

What makes Emmy special:
🦴 Treat-motivated + super smart — she already knows “sit,” “lay down,” and “drop it!”
☀️ Loves outdoor time and would make the perfect adventure buddy
🧩 Enjoys puzzle games and anything that challenges her mind
❤️ Snuggly once she’s comfortable
🚗 Great car companion

More about Emmy:
Emmy is a lovable goofball who’s equal parts athlete and sweetheart! She adores fetch (though she might not always give the ball back 😉), loves her Benebones, and is always up for playtime. She’s very treat-motivated and learns quickly.

She enjoys the company of other dogs — she’s had fun play sessions with Garvey and gets along great with Slash through her kennel. Emmy’s shown some curiosity about cats but hasn’t been aggressive toward them.

She can get a little bouncy and mouthy when excited and is still learning that calm greetings get her more love! She’s working on crate training and building comfort meeting new people.

🏡 Ideal home:
An active household with adults or older kids would be perfect for Emmy. She’d love someone who will keep her busy with walks, games, and mental enrichment — and who’ll appreciate her goofy, affectionate personality.

✨ Athletic, smart, affectionate — Emmy is ready to find her adventure buddy!

How To Adopt

Humane Society of Westmoreland County

PO Box 1552

139 Humane Society Rd

Greensburg, 15601

(724) 837-3779

https://westmorelandhumanesociety.com/

hswcgbg@aol.com

Please give Emmy the forever home she deserves!

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Mike the four-legged chicken was discovered in Greensburg, PA in 1953, drawing national attention for his unique and rare genetic mutation.

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Warmly,

Charles Sisk

Editor