Dan DeBone: A once-in-a-generation opportunity for Westmoreland County

As many in our business community know, the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce recently released the long-awaited feasibility and economic impact study for a hotel and conference center in our region. The results are not just promising — they are transformational.

This project stems from a clear message: The loss of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center created a major gap in our ability to attract conferences, trade shows and events. For years, that facility hosted thousands of gatherings and drew visitors from across the country. Those events fueled restaurants, retail and tourism along the Route 30 corridor and across Westmoreland County.

To address this gap, the chamber formed Destination Westmoreland, a coalition of small businesses, manufacturers, universities, health care providers and community leaders. Together, we raised $25,000 to commission an independent study by CBRE Hotels, one of the nation’s leading hospitality analysts. The findings confirm what many suspected: The demand is strong, the market is ready and the benefits are extraordinary.

The study projects that a 200-room, full-service, nationally branded hotel and conference center in Hempfield could generate more than $720 million in economic impact over its first decade.

Key highlights include:

• Prime location: Route 30 corridor, adjacent to Westmoreland Mall, with direct access to Interstate 76 and major highways, alongside attractions such as Live! Casino, which already draws more than 1 million visitors annually.

• Modern facilities: A 15,000-square-foot conference center, 9,000-square-foot ballroom, 60,000-square-foot event center, full-service restaurant and cutting-edge technology.

• Construction impact: Nearly $90 million in one-time economic activity and over 250 local construction jobs.

• Visitor spending: More than 200,000 annual visitors, 70% of them new to the area — bringing fresh dollars into our economy.

• Tax revenue: Over $26 million in new tax revenue during the first 10 years.

Why it matters

This project is about more than bricks and mortar — it’s about strengthening Westmoreland County’s economic backbone. Every event held here means more customers in restaurants, more sales for retailers and more visibility for our community.

It will also amplify existing economic drivers. A facility connected to Live! Casino could magnify revenue already benefiting our region. Just last year, Live! Casino contributed $19 million through the Local Asset Share program, funding public safety, road improvements and municipal services in more than 55 communities.

A new hotel and conference center will expand that ripple effect — at a time when state and federal resources are stretched thin. In addition, as malls across the country struggle, this project creates a unique redevelopment opportunity. Pairing it with reinvestment at Westmoreland Mall — including the upcoming Dick’s House of Sports — adds momentum. Together, these efforts can revitalize one of our county’s most visible commercial corridors and position Westmoreland as a destination of choice for decades to come.

Yes, this is a significant investment — estimated at $86 million. And yes, not everyone embraces change. But we must remember that Westmoreland County has lost more than 12,000 residents over the past decade. If we fail to innovate, we risk further decline: fewer jobs, fewer businesses and fewer opportunities for young people to stay.

Now, with this study in hand, it is time to act. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our economy and secure Westmoreland County’s place on the regional and national stage. Let’s seize it — together.