JOIN US FOR THE 2026 STATE OF THE COUNTY

Join Forward Lawrence, Chamber & Economic Alliance, for our Third annual State of the County event on September 17th.


If you care about the future of Lawrence County, this event is for you.

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The State of the County brings together local and state leaders to discuss the issues and decisions shaping our community and economy.

Whether you own a business, lead an organization, invest in our community, work in local government, or simply want to know where Lawrence County is headed, the State of the County is an opportunity to hear directly from the people helping shape its future.


This event is especially valuable for:

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  • Business & Industry Leaders 
    (owners, entrepreneurs, agriculture, and industry)
  • Economic & Workforce Development Professionals 
    (ED professionals, educators, workforce leaders)
  • Government & Nonprofit Leaders 
    (municipal officials, community, and nonprofit leaders)
  • Engaged Residents


Engage in an informative panel discussion with elected officials, including Senator Vogel of the 47th District, Senator Brooks of the 50th District, PA State Representatives Marla Brown (9th Legislative District) and Aaron Bernstine (8th Legislative District), Lawrence County Commissioners Chairman Dan Vogler, Dan Kennedy, and Chris Sainato, as well as the District Director for Representative Mike Kelly's office (16th District).


This year's State of the County is worth clearing your calendar for. Our state legislative panel is digging into the stuff that actually affects your business, energy costs, the housing crunch that's making it hard to find workers, taxes, permitting delays. You'll hear straight from the lawmakers making these calls.


 

City of New Castle Microgrant Program

Click Here For Application


The New Castle Citywide Development Corporation invites you to apply to its Microgrant Program, a program funded To aid business development in the City of New Castle.



The City of New Castle Microgrant Program is now open, offering grants up to $15,000 to help local businesses grow. To qualify, you must be registered in PA, physically located in the City of New Castle, and have 25 or fewer employees.


 

ADVOCACY UPDATES

PA Chamber Proposes “No Technology Pledge” Amendment to Data Center Moratorium Bills


HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry today proposed that any proposal to ban data center development should include a No Technology Pledge amendment, a commonsense accountability measure for anyone seeking to block the development of data centers while continuing to rely on the digital tools, platforms, and services those facilities make possible.


Click Here To Read More

Proposed Child Care Tax Credit Expansion Could Benefit Lawrence County Employers


House Bill 2748


A new proposal in Harrisburg could give Pennsylvania employers a greater incentive to help employees with child care costs. House Bill 2748 would expand the state’s Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, allowing employers to receive a tax credit for up to 100% of eligible child care contributions, with a proposed maximum of $10,000 per employee annually.


For Lawrence County, this is a workforce issue. Affordable and reliable child care can directly impact whether parents are able to enter the workforce, maintain consistent hours or remain with an employer. The expanded credit could give local businesses another tool to attract and retain employees while supporting working families.


Click here to read more.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

AMG Titanium Expansion — Neshannock Township

MG Titanium Expansion Brings $15.7 Million Investment to Lawrence County


A major aerospace manufacturing expansion is moving forward in Neshannock Township. Measel-Bruce Inc., which operates AMG Titanium Division, has received a $750,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant through the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation to support a $15.7 million expansion.


The project will expand AMG Titanium’s operations into a new 60,000-square-foot advanced technology production facility, along with a separate 17,000-square-foot corporate headquarters. The expansion is expected to create at least 50 new family-sustaining aerospace manufacturing jobs.


With a significant backlog of new aircraft orders and plans to increase production, the investment represents another important step in growing Lawrence County’s advanced manufacturing sector and strengthening the domestic aerospace supply chain.

AMG Chrome Brings Critical Manufacturing Back to the U.S.


Lawrence County is now home to the only chrome metal producer in the United States. AMG Chrome’s new facility in Union Township represents a $15 million investment and the return of domestic chrome metal production for the first time in about two decades.


Built adjacent to AMG’s existing titanium operations, the facility has a planned production capacity of 6,500 tons annually and has created 36 jobs, with opportunities for future expansion.


Chrome metal is a critical material used in high-performance applications including jet engines, space launch vehicles and advanced energy technologies. The project strengthens the domestic supply chain while positioning Lawrence County as an important part of U.S. advanced manufacturing and national security.

$1.5 Million Investment Supports Reopening of Former INMETCO Facility


A longtime industrial property in Ellwood City is moving closer to new life. Irongate Industrial LLC/American Metal Recycling (AMR) has received a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to support the renovation and reopening of the former INMETCO facility.


The project includes rebuilding the blast furnace, modernizing infrastructure and utilities, and installing new refining systems and equipment. Once operational, the facility plans to reclaim nickel, chrome and iron, with future expansion into lithium and cobalt recycling.


The investment marks an important step toward returning a former industrial site to productive use while strengthening Lawrence County’s manufacturing base and supporting the growing metals recycling industry.

MEMBER UPDATES

16th Annual Lawrence County Veteran Stand Down Returns


Forward Lawrence is pleased to share an opportunity for our members to support the 16th Annual Lawrence County Veteran Stand Down on Friday, October 2nd at Cascade Park.


This free community event connects local veterans, service members and their families with valuable resources and services.


Chamber members are encouraged to get involved! There are several ways local businesses and organizations can get involved, including hosting a vendor table, volunteering, or partnering with the event in another capacity.


If your business or organization would like to participate or learn more about partnership opportunities, please contact Missy Russell at mrussell@lccap.org.


What Keeps Me Up at Night Isn’t the Economy – It’s Whether We’ll Have the People We Need


In a recent Business Journal opinion piece, LMMC Board Chair Anna Barensfeld makes a compelling case that the biggest threat to manufacturing isn't the economy, trade policy or global competition. It's whether the industry will have enough skilled people to fill the jobs of the future.


Read Full Article Here

 

EVENT RECAPS

 

Preparing Lawrence County for the Next Development Opportunity


Forward Lawrence recently hosted its Real Estate Development Breakfast, bringing together regional real estate professionals, developers and economic development partners to discuss what it takes to successfully compete for new investment.


Representatives from the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance highlighted the importance of preparation, strong partnerships and ready-to-build properties. Programs such as PA Sites are helping communities prepare properties for development through investments in infrastructure, site preparation and other improvements.



Forward Lawrence continues this work through its Digital Market and by actively marketing available properties throughout Lawrence County, including Powder Mill Works in Mahoning Township, the former JM Equipment property in Shenango Township and the Pier Building Complex in downtown New Castle.


Looking for available commercial or industrial property? Explore current opportunities through Forward Lawrence’s Available Sites listings or contact Info@lawrencecounty.com | 724-658-1488.

UPCOMING EVENTS

United Way of Lawrence County — Fall Event Lineup

·      Elijah Prophet of Fire fundraiser (October)

·      Day of Caring

·      Taste of the Town

·      Fall Home Buyer Classes

United Way of Lawrence County


Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center — Upcoming Programs

Several retreats and programs are open for registration: Click Here to View Event Calendar

Call 724-964-8886 to register for any Villa Maria program.


Moraine State Park & McConnells Mill State Park — Current Public Programs

The monthly roundup of public programs at both state parks is available here.


Shenango Township Fall Festival

Saturday, September 12, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Annual township fall festival — check the township website for the full activity schedule.


Oktoberfest Celebration

Saturday, September 19, 2026 · 4:00 – 11:00 PM

Neshannock Creek Brewing, 20 S Mercer St, New Castle, PA · Free

Neshannock Creek Brewing's 3rd anniversary celebration with an Oktoberfest theme — seasonal beers, food trucks, games, and entertainment.

Brewery website


Westminster Arts and Cultural Events

Bringing big-city entertainment to the quaint town of New Wilmington, Westminster College is pleased to bring top entertainers to the region through the Celebrity Series. Hosting performers like Michael Bolton, the Tenors and Amy Grant, the Celebrity Series offers season tickets as well as individual ticket purchases.

Check out Westminster's full schedule of arts and cultural events


16th Annual Lawrence County Veteran Stand Down

Friday, October 2, 2026 · 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM · Cascade Park, New Castle

A community-based event supporting homeless veterans and service members with health screenings, free haircuts, hygiene products, a free lunch (veterans only), and military surplus items. Vendors can register via the linked sign-up form; donations and volunteers are coordinated through Missy Dellaverson-Russell at Lawrence County Community Action Partnership.

Vendor sign-up form

News from the United Way of Lawrence County

2026 Fall Home Buyer Class

2026 Day of Caring

Day Trip to Ohio Star Theater

View PA Career Link Event Calendar


Sept. 8 — 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Resume Workshop


Sept. 8 — 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Lawrence County PA CareerLink Orientation (in person)


Sept. 17— 10:30 AM–11:30 PM — Civil Service Workshop (Virtual)


Sept. 17— 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Interviewing Skills (Virtual)


Sept. 22— 10:00 AM–10:00 AM — Resume Workshop


Sept. 22— 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Lawrence County PA CareerLink Orientation (in person)

 
 

GRANT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

Applications due September 11, 2026

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) was established by the Title II of the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing; make new construction, rehabilitation, substantial rehabilitation, and acquisition of affordable housing feasible; and to promote the development of partnerships, public, private, for-profit and non-profit, to utilize resources to provide for more affordable housing.


OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program

Applications due September 14, 2026

Grant amount: $450,000–$750,000


PA Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant

Applications Accepted Through Monday, September 21, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering up to $10 million in relief to Pennsylvania fruit growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21, 2026.


PA Spotlight Program — Virtual Office Hours

Live sessions run through Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (Tuesdays, plus Sept 9)

Live Q&A support sessions for applicants to the state’s new Spotlight arts and culture grant program.


PCCD Regional Policing Assistance Program

Round 1 deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026

State funding to help municipalities form or expand regional police departments.


Ben Franklin Technology Partners (CNP) — Big Idea Contest

Applications close Friday, October 16, 2026

Up to $50,000 cash prize plus a $2,500 audience-voted People’s Choice Award, a guaranteed spot in the TechCelerator business accelerator, and personalized mentorship. Open to businesses in Ben Franklin’s 32-county region with no prior Ben Franklin/Big Idea/TechCelerator funding; if an established business, under $1,000,000 in annual sales revenue. No equity taken, no fees charged.


Foundations in Industry Training (FIT) Grant

Open through June 30, 2027, or until funds are exhausted

Workforce training grant supporting foundational industry skills training for local employers.


Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Program

Ongoing / rolling — no fixed deadline found

Helps manufacturers train their workforce and build career-awareness pipelines. Eligible applicants include technical/trade schools, community colleges, and nonprofits.



Pennsylvania First Program

Rolling deadline

PA DCED's flagship grant, loan, and loan-guarantee program supports job creation and private investment projects across the Commonwealth. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program info: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/pennsylvania-first-program-pa-first/

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