This county doesn’t strive to be all things to all people, but it pledges to be.  It doesn’t boast of its natural wonders and rich history, but it should.  And it doesn’t flaunt its population of hard working, affable professionals, skilled workers, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and the many others who give this county its distinctive flavor, but it is undeniable.  Calling this a “nutshell” description of Westmoreland County however, is to do it a great disservice, given the vast opportunities for personal and collective growth and experiences that lie within its borders.  Here, one can wax poetic about its pastoral beauty and serenity in one instance, and in the next, groove to concerts at the Palace Theatre and St. Clair Park; revel in area festivals; immerse oneself in culture at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, or savor area history at Fort Ligonier and Bushy Run State Park, among many other cultural, recreational and educational offerings.  You’ll find there is an unassuming elegance about the land, stately rolling across its 1,028 square miles that occasionally abut the 8.5 square miles of intriguing waters.  “Westmoreland County seems to have it all, rich in history, outdoor nature opportunities, vibrant culture, craft breweries, boutique shops, wineries, farms, unique museums and the Laurel Highlands,” noted Darlene Hunter, Vice President, New Construction, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.  “With all this culture, there is still time for current attractions such as the LIVE! Casino at Westmoreland Mall featuring events, shows, dining/drink, casino and gaming.  There’s quite the wide array of things to do in the county!”  Highly acclaimed school districts, colleges and universities, churches and a synagogue, as well as a lauded health care system and a regional airport add further to a county ripe for calling it home as home builders and home seekers have discovered.  “We are seeing steady growth in residential housing and new builds across Westmoreland County,” said Dan DeBone, President and CEO, Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce.  “Communities such as North Huntingdon, Hempfield Township, Murrysville and parts of Unity Township are experiencing notable development activity.  Builders are drawn to our county for several key reasons: the availability of land for development, relatively low property taxes, strong public-school systems, and proximity to both Pittsburgh and regional employment hubs.”  He continued that what sets the county apart is its balance between suburban comfort and rural charm.  “Families and individuals are increasingly looking for safe, affordable communities with access to parks, top-tier health care, and an overall high quality of life.  And we offer just that.”  Echoing those sentiments was Helene Nseir, Realtor, Scott Ludwick Team, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who recognized the good fortune of having access to local quality health care facilities along with ease of travel to major medical centers in Pittsburgh for more advanced/specialized treatments and the renowned Children’s Hospital.  “We [Westmoreland County] are that wonderful blend of suburban/rural, with the availability of national sports teams less than an hour away.  I think the proximity to Pittsburgh provides us with a unique opportunity to market the area.  Affordable housing and that low tax base also adds to our desirability.  The success of the local casino has actually surprised me, but upon examination, it brings people into the area and provides income that is distributed to our municipalities.”  For a number of years, builders, too, have found Westmoreland County a desired destination for residential building.  Jason Corna, Vice President, Residential Division, Kacin Companies, confirmed that the county has long been a hub of steady growth, particularly in new housing developments.  “The county strikes a perfect balance between rural charm and modern convenience, offering easy access to major travel corridors, top-rated schools, thriving business and manufacturing centers, and an abundance of recreational opportunities.  Residents here take immense pride in calling Westmoreland County their home,” he said.  “Our experiences in the county have been consistently positive, with local municipalities fostering responsible, forward-thinking growth.  This environment enables faster, more cost-effective approval processes for permitting and land development.”  He continued that raw land is typically more plentiful and affordable compared to neighboring Allegheny County, allowing for savings to be passed on to their customers.  “The combination of lower home prices and reduced property taxes makes Westmoreland County an especially attractive destination for prospective residents.”  Jack Pellis, Pellis Homes, agreed, finding that Westmoreland County is attractive to builders given its plentiful undeveloped land and despite the increased price of raw land, is still relatively affordable compared to other areas.

She shared that local builder Jim Thomas is busy completing his exceptional product in Unity Township along U.S. Route 30 called Frye Farm Estates featuring one floor living that has generated a buyers’ waiting list.  Additionally, Shuster Builders recently completed development of their community on land that previously was the Valley Green Golf Course in Hempfield Township.  “There are still lots in established communities such as Ravenwood (Hempfield Township), Palmer Place (Unity Township) and Glenn-Aire, as well as off-site areas with acreage that is very appealing.” 

Among the premiere builders in Westmoreland County is Ray Snoznik, R.A. Snoznik Custom Homes.  Having built condominiums at The Village at Stonegate and patio homes in Phase One of The Village on Kistler Ridge, both in Penn Township, he still finds a strong and steady demand for traditional single-family homes in the Penn Township area.   “The new residential construction projects I am now undertaking are entirely single-family homes,” he said.  “I build from a portfolio of proven homes that are functional, flexible and appeal to a wide range of buyers from young families to those looking to downsize.” There are currently 11 home sites left at Kistler Ridge, within the Penn Trafford School District, well suited for single family ranch and second story home styles featuring first floor primary bedrooms, with easy access to Greensburg, Murrysville and North Huntingdon.  Homes here start in the mid-$400,000s and offer 1,755 to 3,605 square feet of living space.  Jason Corna, Kacin Companies, has watched how Westmoreland County has experienced growth across various sectors and housing styles.  “Among the most popular builds are single family homes, townhomes and patio-style homes,” he said. “Buyers from all demographics increasingly expect homes built with high quality, low maintenance materials.”  Currently, Kacin is developing three communities within Westmoreland County: North Meadow in Washington Township, Hillstone Village in Murrysville, and The Reserve at Foxfield in Hempfield Township.  According to Corna, North Meadow and Hillstone Village are actively selling and under construction while The Reserve at Foxfield is in the early stages of land development.  “The majority of our homes are single story or feature first floor primary suites,” he noted.  “All our homes are built with the highest quality, low-to-no maintenance materials.  While most of our homes are particularly appealing to empty nesters, they are designed to suit a variety of demographics.”  North Meadow offers a mix of patio and single-family homes in the Kiski Area School District on what has been called some of the most desirable home sites in the county.  All are designed for minimal maintenance and maximum customization, starting in the mid-$400,000s.  Hillstone Village, a vibrant community within the Franklin Regional School District, offers a wide range of custom options in both their single family and carriage homes along with sidewalks, a pickleball court, a bocce court and a spacious clubhouse, with homes starting in the $700,000s. The Reserve at Foxfield will offer a variety of customizable patio home styles ranging from 1,900 to 4,000 square feet with prices starting in the low $500,000s.

He also credits the county’s infrastructure as being well equipped to support new growth.  Jack Pellis and Pellis Homes are currently in the planning or approval stages for two, new multifamily communities known as Kings Landing in Unity Township and The Summit at Lindwood Crest, Hempfield Township.  According to Pellis “if location is the key to success, then these communities hit the mark!”  Kings Landing is located just minutes from the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and the Latrobe Country Club and will consist of 24 villas designed in the modern transitional style that blends classic and contemporary design elements.  Here, home packages will be offered in the high $400,000s with groundbreaking anticipated for Fall 2025.  The Summit at Lindwood Crest, near Hannastown Golf Course, is just minutes from downtown Greensburg and Westmoreland Mall and will feature a mix of single and paired villas, with basements available as one of the features.   “We feel that there is still a demand for basements, given that it affords abundant storage and can double the size of the home,” he explained.  He also noted that for the last 25 of their 60 years of home building, the demand for patio homes has grown.  “Our buyers tell us they want to downsize, but in reality, they really want to rearrange and simplify.  Our in-house design team enables our customers to engage in the process and design their new home to suit their active lifestyle perfectly.”  Homes here will range in price from $475,000 to $700,000.  At present, Pellis Homes are building custom homes in the gated community of Palmer Place, Unity Township, and the Ravenwood Plan in Hempfield Township along with large custom homes projects on large tracts of land scattered across the county.  They are also actively looking for the right piece of property to be developed for high end, luxury homes.  “We feel there is an underserved, pent-up demand at this time for those types of homes.”  Darlene Hunter acknowledges that all counties face the challenge of updating and maintaining major arteries, but finds that Westmoreland County has a robust infrastructure with its 21 primary routes with more than 3,600 miles of highways.  “The New Stanton interchange is a major transportation hub where the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 connect with U.S. Route 119 and PA Toll 66,” she highlighted.  “This area in central Westmoreland has evolved into a regional employment center that is home to multiple business and industrial parks.”  She also underscored the importance of transportation, provided by the Westmoreland County Transit Authority, with its fleet of more than 40 buses offering 16 routes across the county and into Pittsburgh along with several park- and-ride lots.  Dan DeBone touts the strength of the county’s infrastructure but believes that continuing investment is needed to keep pace with growth.  “We have major routes such as Routes 30, 22 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike providing regional connectivity and access to the Pittsburgh International Airport within reasonable distance.”  He added, however, that public transportation remains a challenge.  “As more residents commute for work or travel between communities, enhancing our transit options, especially into Pittsburgh, will be critical.”  The Chamber continues to advocate for infrastructure upgrades, including roadway maintenance, broadband expansion, and transit development, to ensure that the county is ready for the next phase of growth.  Jason Rigone sees infrastructure as a key determining factor in new development.  “If an area lacks public water or sewage capacity or has inadequate road infrastructure that causes congestion, development opportunities are minimized.  Fortunately, Westmoreland’s primary highway network has received considerable investment over the past decade addressing safety and congestion-related issues and positioning many of our primary corridors for future growth.”  He points to a few priority modernization projects remaining such as the U.S. Route 30 corridor through western North Huntingdon Township which, once completed, will increase safety, reduce congestion, and provide improved access.  Another project is the newly proposed Pennsylvania Turnpike slip ramp in Penn Township, scheduled to be completed around 2030.  This new facility will provide downtown commuters with a shorter trip to and from work and further reduce the minor congestion that exists on U.S. Route 22 in Murrysville, supporting more development opportunities. Rigone also believes that due to Westmoreland’s shear size and available infrastructure, there are still abundant opportunities to support new development without hurting the rural characteristics.  “The idea of balance is very important,” he emphasized.  “Westmoreland has a unique mix of urban, suburban, agricultural, rural, and wilderness areas.  This variety of land use makes it a very special place that is characteristic of Western Pennsylvania.  It’s a place where you can be in Downtown Pittsburgh enjoying our professional sports teams or in the Laurel Highland hiking in true wilderness in 45 minutes or less.  So, understanding the balance is important but I feel confident we can accommodate all development opportunities and preserve our natural place for all to enjoy.”  He continued that through the Department of Planning and Development, it serves as a resource for its municipal partners by providing guidance and recommendations on best practices, ensuring that municipal planners and local leaders make informed decisions with the goal of ensuring that Westmoreland County has housing options that support market demand, ultimately resulting in growth throughout all areas of the county.  “This practice starts through the countywide comprehensive plan, called ‘Reimaging Our Westmoreland’,” Rigone continued.  “It’s a layered approach providing recommendations as well as identified projects and programs for everything from economic development to transportation and infrastructure improvements to recreational opportunities to a focus on technology along with a section on land use and housing titled ‘Provide Housing Options’.”  Dan DeBone also emphasized the importance of amenities.  “When individuals and families evaluate where to live, they consider more than just the house, they look at the full ecosystem.  Westmoreland County offers access to high quality hospitals, respected school districts, vibrant retail centers, and a growing list of entertainment and recreational options.  These just aren’t ‘extras,’ they’re necessities that support community life and long-term growth.”  Perhaps Jack Pellis puts it most succinctly and simply.  “I believe the saying ‘If you build it, they will come’ definitely applies to Westmoreland County.”  NH