After three years of frequent leadership turnover, the Greensburg Community Development Corporation has a new executive director who aims to guide the 50-year-old nonprofit through its new strategic plan and quest for business development funding.
Hempfield resident Nancy Ligus takes the helm of the corporation from former board president Elsie Lampl, who served as interim director until Ligus’ hiring March 24.
Ligus was selected out of 18 applicants, said Annie Urban, who became the corporation’s board president in January.
“We’re hoping she will bring some stability to that,” said Urban, who has served six years on the board, “because that is something that has been concerning over the past couple years — although we totally understand the reasons why that was happening.
“I feel that Nancy will bring that stability and be able to work with us for several years into the future.”
An Allegheny County native and 12-year Hempfield resident, Ligus previously has worked as an operations manager for global manufacturing companies and owned a coffee shop and deli near Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
For the past 11 years, she has done workforce and economic development work for the United Steelworkers Union, Westmoreland County Community College and — most recently — several community colleges in West Virginia.
“I’ve really been wanting to find something close to home,” Ligus said.
The corporation’s executive director position quickly caught her eye. The group’s mission is to assist the city and its businesses, institutions and organizations in the development and implementation of plans and programs.
“I was like, ‘This is great,’ ” she said. “‘This is something I can do — something I’d really love to do.’”
Previous executive directors include Ashley Kertes, who held the role from July 2018 to March 2022, when she left for a job in Greensburg Salem School District before her unexpected death a year later. John Stafford took over the position until July 2023, and Alec Italiano held the post until February 2024, when he was hired by Greensburg as planning and development director.
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Ligus attended a conference in early April to learn more about Main Street America, a nonprofit focused on strengthening communities’ historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
The corporation is working toward an accreditation through Main Street America, Ligus said, which would open the door for state funding to execute commercial improvements and attract developers to the city.
Ligus estimates Greensburg is about halfway through the application process.
“I appreciate all the effort that (the board) has done, because these folks have day jobs,” Ligus said. “These are people who are on our board voluntarily, and they are committed to the continued great work at the GCDC.
“This is one of those pieces that was missing. After being at this conference, I can say this is the right direction to go.”
The Jeannette Initiative, a nonprofit targeting revitalization in the city, is also pursuing the Main Street America designation, said President Cherie King. After gathering more than 500 responses to a survey surrounding the public perception of Jeannette, the group aims to submit its application in May.
“It’s going to help tremendously,” King said of the designation.
The initiative aims to revitalize Jeannette’s existing businesses and attract new developments while maintaining the city’s history, King said.
“The city has some beautiful architecture and people just aren’t aware of it,” she said.
The initiative was awarded a $25,000 state grant last year, which already has helped local businesses such as Zanarini’s Posey Shoppe, Denunzio’s and DiMartino Ice complete facade improvements.
“I’d like to see it all for this city,” King said.
Corporation celebrates five decades
The Greensburg Community Development Corporation’s first ever strategic plan, approved in February, also will help Ligus guide the nonprofit forward.
Hiring an executive director and achieving the Main Street America designation are two of the primary goals detailed in the five-year plan — a milestone for the corporation as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Urban said.
“We’re excited that this organization has been part of the Greensburg community for five decades,” she said. “We’re planning a celebration in the fall recognizing those 50 years and looking ahead to the next 50 years.”
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The plan also focuses on finalizing a proposed merger with SummerSounds, a free outdoor summer concert series held in Greensburg’s St. Clair Park.
Friends of SummerSounds, the 100-member organization that helps operate the concert series, voted last year to begin merger talks with the Greensburg Community Development Corporation, said event co-founder Gene James.
“It’s a serious matter,” James said. “The board of both corporations have a fiduciary obligation, because they’re nonprofits and we’re in charge of making sure our assets are handled responsibly.”
It is unclear when the merger will be made official, Urban said.
“We have an agreement where we are working collaboratively with SummerSounds,” she said. “There are still several steps that have to take place in regard to the actual merger happening.”
Regardless of the uncertainty, Ligus knows one thing for sure. “When the city thrives with vibrant businesses and vibrant communities, everybody benefits from that,” she said. “We’ve got a great situation in Greensburg now. We’ve got great culture, health care, tourism. Our Main Street businesses are diverse. We’re just building on those foundations.”