By Greg Woodman
The Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership (MVEDP) hosted its 35th Annual Awards Dinner last week, spotlighting a powerful blueprint for economic renewal: smart public investment, strategic partnerships, and unwavering support for local businesses.
Held at The View (spectacular views of the Alleghenies) and attended by over 100 local leaders, the evening highlighted five key achievements shaping the future of the Moshannon Valley:
Recognition of Philipsburg Borough’s Revitalization Efforts
Philipsburg Borough earned the Outstanding Community Revitalization Award for its bold action to acquire and clear fifteen blighted properties. Borough Manager Joel Watson reported that of the nearly $700,000 invested, most of that money has been returned to the Borough — a rare and extraordinarily successful outcome for a revitalization project.
Successful Real Estate Transaction with Lee Industries
Through strategic planning, the Borough sold four cleared commercial sites to Lee Industries for $270,000 — fully matching its demolition costs and ensuring complete taxpayer reimbursement.
Financial Support During the Pandemic
Philipsburg also demonstrated leadership during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering $230,000 in financial aid to local non-profits, reinforcing the community’s resilience.
Keynote Address by Dr. Don Heaney of Advanced Powder Products (APP)
The evening’s keynote speaker, Dr. Don Heaney, is not only co-founder and President of Advanced Powder Products, Inc., but also a former Penn State professor and a recognized global authority in metal injection molding (MIM) and powder metallurgy. He holds a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering and is the editor and author of the industry-defining Handbook of Metal Injection Molding.
Today, APP employs over 190 people and continues to expand. Dr. Heaney expressed deep gratitude to the MVEDP for its early and continuing support, saying:
“The MVEDP gave us the foundation to build our future right here. Their commitment to entrepreneurs like us made it possible for APP to stay, grow, and create jobs for this region.”
Penn State Roots Run Deep
Moshannon Valley’s entrepreneurial success is closely tied to Penn State’s influence. APP is just one example. Another standout, DiamondBack Truck Covers, now a nationally known brand, was born out of an engineering entrepreneurship class at Penn State. The company launched in the Moshannon Valley with MVEDP’s support and remains a vital employer and innovator.
Planning for the Future: Ready-to-Go Sites Needed
While the evening celebrated recent successes, MVEDP leadership emphasized the importance of planning ahead. Executive Director Stan LaFuria shared a crucial insight:
“The MVEDP is very interested in finding another site that we could purchase and develop into a new business park. We have made six offers to date, but none of those worked out. There are over 500 people working at businesses within our Moshannon Valley Regional Business Park, and over $5.2 million per year is generated for taxpayers from payroll taxes alone. To be able to compete in economic development, it is important to have the tools to offer businesses — and one key tool is ready-to-go sites.”
A Clear and Proven Path Forward
The MVEDP Annual Dinner underscored a simple but powerful formula:
- Invest in community revitalization.
- Build and market business-ready sites.
- Support entrepreneurs from startup to success.
- Ensure returns to taxpayers through job creation and business growth.
From Philipsburg Borough’s revitalization leadership to Advanced Powder Products’ national success, the Moshannon Valley is proving that smart strategy + strong partnerships = sustainable prosperity.
More Progress on the Horizon: Graystone Philipsburg Groundbreaking
The spirit of collaboration and forward momentum continues. On Friday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m., the MVEDP will join forces with Jeff Long of Graystone Developments to break ground on the Graystone Philipsburg project — a new senior housing development on the site of the former Philipsburg Area Hospital on Lochlomond Road in Rush Township.
Graystone Philipsburg will include a five-story building with 66 apartment units for residents aged 55 and older. With future plans for cottage homes, this project represents yet another step forward in reimagining key community spaces through strategic partnership.
As Phillipsburg’s biggest cheerleader Stan LaFuria proclaims enthusiastically “Whether it’s business growth, housing, or revitalization — when we align our goals and our tools, we build a stronger future for everyone.”
