Our Mission

The Ohio River Towns Enterprise Zone(ORTEZ) operated by the Riverside Center for Innovation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, seeks to revitalize the communities of McKees Rocks, Stowe, Neville and Coraopolis through our sustainable development initiative which includes remediating brownfields, greening these communities and creating business opportunities for economic prosperity of the region.

About the Enterprise Zone

The proposed Zone starts at the boundary between McKees Rocks and the City of Pittsburgh and extends west bounded by the Ohio River into Stowe Township, crosses onto Neville Island where in encompasses all of the heavy industrial area and then reconnects with the industrial sector of Coraopolis along the River.

These Zone Communities features several compelling assets that position the area for business growth and expansion including access to markets, riverfronts, brownfield redevelopment potential and existing strong industrial base. This is in addition to opportunities that apply the “New Urbanism Approach” – create a sense of place with walk-able environments with Main Streets, front porches, etc. The approach is consistent with Allegheny County’s Comprehensive plan, “Allegheny Places”. The plan calls for redirecting resources away from suburban sprawl and into older industrial communities, like McKees Rocks, Stowe, Neville, and Coraopolis, emphasizing the development of brownfield in lieu of green space. Map of the Zone.

Benefits

An Enterprise Zone is defined as a geographical area within which businesses can obtain savings against their state income tax and other tax, hiring and finance incentives. The purpose of the zone designation is to stimulate business investments and lower unemployment in distressed areas. (U.S. Department of Commerce) Businesses reap the benefits of reduced costs by conducting business in this state-designated Enterprise Zone along the Ohio River.

Grants, low interest loans, and other incentives are available to private companies that make investments to promote economic development by land and building acquisition, building construction and renovation, industrial park development, and multi-tenant buildings. The purpose of the funding is allocated towards environmental, infrastructure, land and building acquisition, and business site development projects. An Enterprise Zone is defined as a geographical area within which businesses can obtain savings against their state income tax and other tax, hiring and finance incentives. The purpose of the zone designation is to stimulate business investments and lower unemployment in distressed areas. (U.S. Dept) Grants, low interest loans, and other incentives business site development projects. For more information, please visit www.newpa.com.