This month’s Chamber Champion award nomination goes to Hempfield Township. This local municipality has been a chamber member and dedicated partner in our County for over 13 years.
Hempfield Township is governed by an elected five-member Board of Supervisors. They are actively pursuing a broad, forward-looking municipal strategy centered on public safety, community connectivity, housing growth, and economic revitalization. These initiatives reflect a coordinated effort to guide the township’s planned development while improving quality of life for residents and local businesses.
The preservation and modernization of the township’s volunteer fire service is currently one major priority. Township Supervisors are making a significant financial commitment by assuming operational costs, investing in station upgrades, and exploring consolidation under municipal management. This approach eliminates the fundraising burden on volunteers and allows them to focus on training and emergency response, while ensuring long-term sustainability of fire protection services.
Hempfield Township continues to invest in parks and recreation with a vision of creating an interconnected system of green spaces that will benefit their neighboring communities. Following its master park plan and ongoing construction of a new municipal complex, the Township Supervisors are expanding recreational opportunities, improving accessibility, and working toward a network of parks that enhances regional connectivity and livability. Founders Park, which is within the new Hempfield Township Municipal Complex along the route 30 bypass, will host a ribbon cutting event for constructing Phase II in May.
Residential and economic growth are other key components of the township’s strategy. Multiple approved projects—totaling nearly 500 new homes within seven (7) residential developments—are underway, with lots already being sold and developed. These projects are expected to attract new residents, support population growth, and strengthen the local tax base while maintaining Hempfield’s suburban character. Development plans also emphasize reinvestment in commercial areas to attract new businesses, enhance the shopping environment, and reinforce Hempfield’s role as a regional economic hub.
A significant redevelopment initiative undertaken by Hempfield Township along State Route 119 between South Greensburg and Youngwood Boroughs involves the former State Correctional Institutional property (commonly referred to as the SCI site). The township acquired this blighted property with the goal of repositioning the more than 90-acre site to a better suited use and return it to the tax rolls. This project represents a major opportunity to transform underutilized land into an asset that can support economic growth and community development. This property is now available, and Hempfield Township is seeking a buyer!
Finally, Hempfield is planning a “gateway” project tied to their bridge connecting route 30 to Westmoreland Mall. This initiative aims to create a more defined and attractive entrance into the township’s primary retail area, improving aesthetics, traffic flow, and overall identity within the region.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive municipal approach—balancing infrastructure investment, smart growth, and community-focused planning—to position Hempfield Township for sustained long-term success.
We appreciate Hempfield Township’s commitment to their residents, surrounding communities, and our chamber of commerce. April’s Chamber Champion award is well-deserved.
