News Release
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Onorato, Rendell & Airport Authority Announce
New Development at Pittsburgh International Airport
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Allegheny County
Airport Authority officials, community leaders and company executives break ground for
a new Flabeg facility at Clinton Commerce Park in Findlay Township.
(August 20, 2008)
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP , Pa. – Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Allegheny County Airport Authority officials, community leaders and company executives today broke ground for a new Flabeg facility at Clinton Commerce Park, a 240-acre site in Findlay Twp. at the intersection of Route 60 and Clinton Road just north of Pittsburgh International Airport.Flabeg, a German-based global leader in high-tech glass and mirror applications, will use the facility to manufacture parabolic solar mirrors that are used to help generate electricity at large-scale solar power plants. It will be the company’s first U.S. facility of this type and will create an estimated 300 new manufacturing jobs in our region.
Flabeg plans to lease a 209,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to be built at Clinton Commerce Park. The building will be constructed in two phases, with the first phase starting this fall and expected to open in October 2009. The total investment in both phases of the project is anticipated to be $30 million. Flabeg will retain 198 jobs at its other Allegheny County location in Brackenridge, which manufactures mirror glass for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
“Flabeg’s decision to expand its operations in Allegheny County is another vote of confidence in our region’s economy and workforce,” said Onorato. “Southwestern Pennsylvania is becoming a leader in green technology and alternative energy development, and Flabeg will help solidify that leadership position with its production of specialty mirrors for solar power plants. This is exactly the kind of cutting-edge manufacturing we want to attract to our region.”
Development on airport property is an important goal of the County Executive and Airport Authority officials. Site preparation for Clinton Commerce Park, including infrastructure and utilities connections, was made possible, in part, by a $7.5-million Pennsylvania Community & Economic Development grant. All five sites will allow for the development of 1.5 million square feet of buildings. When completed, it is estimated that 750 to 1,500 new jobs will be created.
“This event marks another milestone in development of airport property. Preparing shovel-ready land is the key to jumpstarting development, stimulating job growth and attracting new businesses within the airport corridor and the surrounding area,” added Onorato.
“Pittsburgh International Airport's role as an economic generator is two-fold – providing high quality, competitive air service in and out of Southwestern Pennsylvania and developing key properties to attract new industry and jobs,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority Board Member Rich Stanizzo. “The Allegheny County Airport Authority is grateful for all of the support we have gotten from Findlay Township officials and supervisors, West Allegheny School District, Allegheny County Economic Development, Governor Rendell and Secretary Yablonsky.”
Other recent developments on airport property include:
- The 300,000-square-foot bulk warehouse facility built by the Buncher Company at Clinton Commerce Park;
- Knepper Press’ new 100,000-square-foot facility to house its printing operations;
- Cherrington Extension in Moon Township;
- US Airways’ Operations Control Center, which is currently under construction; and
- Dick’s Sporting Goods’ new headquarters at the Northfield development area.
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