GREENVILLE, Pa. – Mercer County has seen a significant uptick in economic growth over the last few years, the executive director of Penn-Northwest Development Corp. told attendees at the organization’s 2024 annual meeting.

“We here in Mercer County, and especially at Penn-Northwest, are creating a lot of excitement about Mercer County across the region,” Rod Wilt said at the Nov. 6 meeting at Thiel College. “We know all of you are making opportunities for us to grow.”

Based on a survey of members, the state of the local economy is strong, he added. Penn-Northwest generated 21 new industry leads last year and responded to another roughly 20 requests for proposals, Wilt told the crowd. Penn-Northwest coordinated four site tours which led to two new companies locating to the county. “We assisted 27 local companies with increased investment and employment, providing another $7.5 million in direct technical, financial, workforce and other financial support,” Wilt noted.

He added that, thanks to area legislators and the governor’s office, $7 million in grants was recently announced for Mercer County.

Wilt also pointed out that Penn-Northwest’s Future Leaders and Homegrown Initiative was awarded $100,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Those groups focus on retaining young people in the region.

The executive director said the organization believes the county is a great place to live.

Pictured at top: State Rep. Parke Wentling, Rod Wilt of Penn-Northwest Development Corp. and Nathan Koble of National Fuel attend the Nov. 6 annual meeting of Penn-Northwest. Koble is one of the business leaders recognized for support of the agency.