Located in North Union Township, the property was formerly owned by 20th-century businessman JV Thompson.
Uniontown, PA - Fayette County officials broke ground Thursday on the new business park expansion in North Union Township.
The festivities also included a renaming ceremony, formally designating the 85-acre, multi-use development “Thompson’s Crossing,” in honor of the land’s former owner and 20th-century businessman and banker, JV Thompson.
Located at the intersection of Northgate Highway and Old Pittsburgh Road, the business park’s master site, engineering and design plans were created in partnership with the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority (RDA) by Sleighter Engineering.
RDA Executive Director Andrew French said Thompson’s Crossing will create a “unique, suburban, commercial and residential development that will support the creation and expansion of local businesses.”
“Since purchasing the property in 2021, the redevelopment authority has worked with the commissioners to secure funding for the project, which included an initial $1 million investment by the county that was used, in part, to secure an additional $2.5 million in funding through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP),” French said.
In 2004, Fayette County received a $2 million state grant to create the Fayette County Business Park, located on the opposite side of state Route 40 in South Union Township, across from the new business park.
Commissioner Vince Vicites said Thompson’s Crossing is a “continuation of that extremely successful economic development project.”
“The Thompson’s Crossing business bark expansion will continue the momentum of building our tax base and creating another 1,000 jobs in the future, allowing us to continue moving Fayette County forward,” Vicites said. “I think Thompson’s Crossing is the appropriate name for the development, as it pays homage to a local historic figure, JV Thompson, who left a lasting legacy in Fayette County.”
Commissioner Scott Dunn said creating the new business park in North Union Township is “perfect timing” for Fayette County.
“With our remaining spaces filling quickly on the South Union side of Route 40, the demand for more development options is skyrocketing. Countless medical, professional, educational and business entities are looking to relocate to or expand within Fayette County, and it’s up to us to meet that demand,” Dunn said. “I’m proud of the tremendous strides we’re making in economic development, and I believe JV Thompson would be pleased to see what we have planned for this business park. Today, we honor his part in our history and look forward to the next chapter in Fayette County’s future.”
Commissioner Chairman Dave Lohr said that celebrating the county’s latest business park expansion is important, because “growing business in Fayette County is how we build and grow a thriving economy.”
“That’s good for everyone. The attributes businesses seek as they choose where to build typically include a business park with ready-to-go land on a site that balances quality, cost-effectiveness and flexibility of the space set in landscaped surroundings,” Lohr said. “The mixed-use development planned for Thompson’s Crossing, combined with breathtaking views, promotes a sense of community and a sense of place, which is a win for the businesses that land here, a win for their employees and, ultimately, a win for the people of Fayette County.”
Lohr also said that understanding the past is “key to understanding where you are today.”
“In addition to understanding history, we need to honor history – to embrace those who have helped us to realize the dreams coming to fruition right here, right now,” he said. “Naming the business park after the Thomspon family does just that.”
Thursday’s ceremony also featured an unveiling of the business park’s new logo, created by Wendy Gaither of Reach Marketing & Design.
In addition to county officials and the project engineers, North Union Township Supervisors, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Aspire Grant & Development, Mt. Macrina officials, state and federal legislators and more closed the event with a ceremonial turning of the earth.
The project’s first construction phase includes five lots, while the second phase includes the remainder of the development and a traffic signal. Bidding is slated to begin in early 2024.
For more information, contact the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority at 724-437-1547; or Sleighter Design at 724-438-4010.
To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.
Editor's Note: Photos attached (Thompson's Crossing Groundbreaking; Thompson's Crossing Groundbreaking2; Thompson's Crossing Groundbreaking3)
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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.
For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info or Kaylie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.
