Washington County Chamber & Tourism sets stage for new Event Center to attract concerts, conferences and visitors
Market and economic studies highlight strong demand and significant tourism benefits; next step is securing development partners
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency (WCCOC/TPA) is pleased to announce the results of two recent studies aimed at assessing the market potential and economic impact of a proposed new Washington County Event Center.
Commissioned in 2024 and released today by the WCCOC/TPA, the Washington County Event Center Market Assessment and Economic Impact Study demonstrated that an event center is viable and will deliver ongoing benefits to Washington County.
This announcement sets the stage for the next step: identifying strategic partners to assist in bringing this vision to life.
The proposed event center would be a flexible, multi-use facility of approximately 30,000 square feet with capacity for up to 3,000 guests in a concert setting. Designed to host a wide range of concerts, entertainment acts, conferences and special gatherings, an event center would provide Washington County with a modern venue capable of competing with facilities across the greater Pittsburgh region.
Key Conclusions from the Market Assessment:
• Strong demand exists for a mid-sized venue in the region, with an opportunity to attract “right-sized” concerts, conferences, and community events that currently bypass Washington County.
• After evaluating sites around the county, the optimal location for an event center was identified as the Racetrack Road corridor. The new facility would be well-positioned with convenient access to both the I-79 and I-70 corridors, making it easily accessible to regional audiences and out-of-market visitors.
• The event center would complement existing nearby attractions such as The Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, Tanger Outlets, and the Washington County Fairgrounds, further strengthening Washington County’s position as a leading tourism and entertainment destination in the region.
• With its design flexibility, the venue could easily transition from a live entertainment setup to large-scale meeting or conference space, creating multiple revenue streams.
Key Conclusions from the Economic Impact Study:
• The construction phase is projected to generate more than $24 million in economic benefit to Washington County, supporting approximately 200 full-time equivalent jobs.
• Once operational, the facility is projected to generate up to $22 million in annual ongoing economic impact, directly supporting nearly 70 new jobs and supporting the creation of another 64 jobs indirectly.
• Additional visitor spending from concerts, conferences, and related tourism is projects up to $11 million in additional indirect local economic activity, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors.
• Over the life of the project, the event center projects significant recurring tax revenues for including increased county, local, and school property tax collections, employment taxes at all levels, and hotel occupancy tax revenue tied to overnight stays.
“These studies confirm what many in our community have long believed — Washington County is a prime location for a modern, multi-functional event space that will drive tourism, economic development, create jobs, and enhance our quality of life,” said Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency. “With much of the initial groundwork complete, we are now eager to identify and connect with development partners who can assist in making this vision a reality and begin moving the project forward.”
This event center project has an estimated development budget of $24.1 million, including design, construction, equipment, and pre-opening costs. The market assessment included conceptual renderings of the facility by architectural partner The Mills Group, highlighting a modern facility inspired by the area’s heritage while offering best-in-class sound, lighting, and hospitality features.
As the second most visited county in the region behind Allegheny County, Washington County continues to consistently demonstrate its strength in attracting visitors.
According to Visit PA’s most recent annual report on the economic impact of tourism in Pennsylvania, Washington County sees nearly $720 million in annual tourism related direct spending, directly supporting more than 5,500 jobs through the tourism economy. Overall, more than $1.2 billion in direct and indirect economic impact is generated by the tourism industry in Washington County. The proposed event center will serve as a catalyst for growth and give Washington County a competitive edge in attracting larger entertainment acts, conferences, and regional gatherings.
The next step for this project is to identify and engage with partners from the private and public sectors who share the vision of advancing Washington County’s economic development and tourism profile.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Kotula. “We have the market, we have the studies, now we need to find the right strategic partners to help carry forward the momentum to build a signature facility that will serve Washington County for decades to come.”
About the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber of commerce in the Greater Pittsburgh region. With 1,200 members, the Chamber focuses on networking events, economic development initiatives, and business advocacy. The Tourism Promotion Agency leads the planning and promotion of programs designed to stimulate and increase leisure and business travel to Washington County and supports the promotional efforts of local organizations attracting visitors to the region. Both organizations are 501c(6) non-profit corporations.
Learn more at WashCoChamber.com and VisitWashingtonCountyPA.com.
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