New construction in McKees Rocks could mean big business

McKEES ROCKS, Pa. — New construction in McKees Rocks is expected to mean big business for the area.

A new 40-acre industrial park could mean more than 400 new jobs.

Also, the CSX Corporation announced that a $50 million freight center is coming to the other 70-acres of the former railroad site.

"This type of development really helps put us near the tipping point of transforming the community," said Taris Vrcek of the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation.

Jobs will hopefully bring people into the community, which would improve the housing market.

"There is going to be about 300 temporary construction jobs during the two-year construction phase.  After that, CSX in itself will create about 100 jobs," said Vrcek.
 
McKees Rocks Mayor Jack Muhr is excited about the development.

 "It's going to help us money wise and tax base, it means a lot.  We've been struggling.  Not only in this community but all communities have been struggling.  That is going to be a big plus," he said.

Muhr said the development has put McKees Rocks back on the map.

"The phone calls I've gotten in the last two weeks are entirely different.  I've gotten calls from developers, real estate brokers -- just a wide variety of investors that are looking at us who may not have before," he said.

McKees Rocks leaders are also planning a makeover of the business district.

WPXI