McKeesport Rising effort on display in tour of city

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

State officials visited Mc-Keesport Thursday to discuss economic redevelopment efforts, including the city’s ongoing McKeesport Rising Initiative.

State Reps. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, and Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery County, chair of the House Democratic Appropriations Committee, joined Mayor Michael Cherepko in a legislative tour of the city, which included a stop at medical marijuana supplier PurePenn.

A central topic of the tour, the initiative was created by Cherepko in 2018 to reduce blight, improve roads, reinforce safety and boost the local economy.

In 2019, the initiative received a boost when a six-year redevelopment strategy was approved for the city through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. The project will support $3 million in improvements to housing, downtown development, tourism and recreation.

“When we talk about the McKeesport Rising Initiative, we are making reference to our city’s great strides in economic development, infrastructure improvements, neighborhood beautification, and public safety advancements,” Cherepko said. “With all of these things coming together in our community, we are proud to have our progress at the forefront of discussions in Harrisburg. We are excited to share our accomplishments and potential with Chairman Bradford as he visits the City of McKeesport.”

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