Five members have been appointed to Hempfield’s new development authority, which will be tasked with identifying possible opportunities for advancement in commercial areas, officials said.
The group’s first job is to figure out how to best use the former SCI Greensburg state prison property the township owns.
“We formed the authority (Wednesday), and that … disposition of the property will be in their hands,” Supervisor Doug Weimer said.
Township officials have been discussing the creation of the authority since the beginning of 2026 as a means to help spur development. Officials intend for authority board members to work with developers interested in Hempfield but also reach out to businesses to promote the township. They can coordinate or lead projects and can offer private entities assistance with bond funding to get projects off the ground.
Those appointed to the board were: Randy Roadman, chairman of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s board; Bob Hamilton, a real estate agent; Lindsey Smail Schneider, general manager of Smail Auto Group; Matthew Pernelli, Hempfield planning manager; and Jason Winters, former township manager.
They will serve staggered terms ending annually in 2027 through 2031, respectively.
Hempfield Solicitor Scott Avolio said the authority will have public meetings that might be quarterly at first.
“The supervisors wanted to get ahead of it so we would have this vehicle available” to help with future use of the SCI Greensburg property, he said. “This is sort of a proactive step by the supervisors.”
Hempfield bought the 94-acre state prison property in mid-2023, 10 years after the prison closed, for $3.5 million with the intent to redevelop the property. Demolition got underway last year at the location off Route 119 between Greensburg and Youngwood.
Supervisors approved an extension to July 15 for the demolition work to be completed. The previous completion date was the end of April.