Potential Economic Impact of New Hotel and Conference Center
A proposed $86 million hotel and conference center near Live Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall is projected to bring over $720 million to the local economy within a decade, according to a six-month study commissioned by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.
Local leaders are optimistic that the findings will attract investors to the initiative, which is seen as a catalyst for revitalizing tourism in the area. Recent feasibility and economic impact studies have recommended the development of a 200-room luxury hotel designed for meetings and events, in addition to a 50,000 square-foot event space for conferences and conventions.
This project is expected to produce nearly $270 million in direct revenue, contribute about $16.2 million in local taxes, and create over 120 jobs in its first ten years. Dan DeBone, President of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions among local and state leaders to advance the project, stating, “The studies indicate the possibilities of what this could be.”
While the studies did not outline financing details, they suggested involvement from well-known hotel brands and ownership entities from Westmoreland Mall and Live Casino Pittsburgh in the potential construction and management of the facilities. At a recent public hearing, Live Casino Pittsburgh referenced the feasibility study’s findings and presented an artist’s rendering of a high-rise hotel planned for the parking area between the casino and the former Sears store.
CBL Properties, which owns Westmoreland Mall, expressed interest in pursuing the convention center but has not engaged in discussions about selling or leasing land for the initiative. Stacey Keating, a spokesperson for CBL, noted that the feasibility study represents an initial step in a lengthy process.
The Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce funded the studies, with $20,000 from the chamber and $5,000 from Hempfield, showcasing a local market demand for a significant hotel and event space to enhance regional tourism. The proposed hotel would become the largest in the county, supplementing the current offerings along Route 30, which comprise 578 rooms across eight properties.
Westmoreland County has lacked a high-end hotel and conference center since the Ramada Greensburg Hotel closed in 2020. Officials are aware that funding poses a challenge, but Commissioner Sean Kertes indicated potential county support in seeking grants and loans for the development, reiterating that tourism remains crucial for the county’s economy.
