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Media Contact:
Desiree Niccoli, desiree@alschulerpr.com, 412-535-5701
RIDC CLOSES MULTI-PARCEL, MULTI-BUILDING SALE WITH TRULIEVE IN MCKEESPORT
Aerial shot of RIDC’s Industrial Center of McKeesport
McKeesport, PA – October 5, 2021 – Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania (RIDC) has completed a transaction with Trulieve, a leading multi-state operator (MSO) in the medical marijuana industry. The sale of property at RIDC’s Industrial Center of McKeesport, includes three buildings, McKeesport Commons I, McKeesport Commons II (shell), and U.S. Steel’s former Guard House along with several land parcels.
The buildings total over 228,000 square feet and the three land parcels total 36.93 acres. Trulieve intends to build a processing and cultivation facility comprising at least 508,000 square feet at the site and anticipates employing approximately 800 people on these parcels.
“Trulieve is thrilled to partner with RIDC as we strive to bring high-quality medical marijuana to patients in Pennsylvania,” said Jim Wernick, Trulieve’s Director of State Expansion. “We look forward to building lasting partnerships with communities and benefiting from the strong talent pool that exists in McKeesport and the surrounding areas.”
“We have three decades of history in McKeesport,” said Donald F. Smith, Jr., RIDC President. “In 1990 we were leading brownfield redevelopment on this former U.S. Steel site in coordination with Allegheny County. Now we’re welcoming companies like Trulieve, Dura-Bond Industries, Trillium Flow Technologies, American Textile Company, and River Materials Inc. to make their new homes here. And the Mon Valley truly has some valuable assets: availability of a talented workforce to fuel expansion and proximity to national transportation and distribution networks.”
“The redevelopment of this site has been a public private-partnership with the Commonwealth of PA, Allegheny County and City of McKeesport,” said Timothy White, RIDC Senior Vice President for Development. “They have all been truly instrumental in the success we’re seeing in McKeesport to date. Their focused efforts on breathing new life into the former tube works has made them excellent partners, and together we’re cultivating real, lasting growth in the Mon Valley.”
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said the City of McKeesport is ecstatic over Trulieve’s expansion.
“Trulieve’s decision to expand its presence here truly exemplifies the vision we had when PurePenn first broke ground in RIDC park,” said Mayor Cherepko. “It’s because of companies like Trulieve—the jobs they bring and their investments in the community—that our economy is steadily growing. This tremendous investment will translate to several hundred more jobs coming to our community.”
Representative Davis said: “Trulieve’s expansion will help them meet the demands of their customers all while creating family sustaining jobs for Mon Valley residents. I was able to help secure a $2 million RACP Grant to assist their expansion efforts which will help grow our economy. This expansion will continue to the effort to make the Mon Valley a leader in the medical marijuana industry.”
Senator Brewster said: “Trulieve’s expansion in McKeesport is another example of how the Mon Valley continues to grow. The expansion not only brings employment opportunities but also strength to the local economy. I am proud to have Trulieve in my district and look forward to their continued success.”
About RIDC:
The mission of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania is to catalyze and support economic growth and high-quality job creation through real estate development and finance of projects that advance the public interest. A not-for-profit entity, RIDC owns over 2,800 acres of land in 11 industrial parks and manages over 50 buildings. The 133-acre Industrial Center of McKeesport was once home to several metal tube and pipe mill companies like U.S. Steel. More information is available at www.ridc.org.
About Trulieve:
Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated medical marijuana company and multi-state operator in the U.S. operating in 11 states, with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal patient experiences and increases access to medical marijuana, helping qualified patients to live without limits.
Learn More: https://www.trulieve.com/
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Media Coverage:
Pittsburgh Business Times – Trulieve to build 508,000-square-foot medical marijuana operation in McKeesport in deal with RIDC
Pittsburgh Business Times – RIDC deal with Trulieve a “high watermark” for McKeesport as cannabis firm plans to take most of the remaining space at business park
Tube City Almanac – Marijuana Firm Commits $10M To Expansion
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – ‘An amazing win’: Trulieve to build large medical marijuana facility at former McKeesport steel plant
NextPittsburgh – Medical marijuana giant Trulieve bringing 800 jobs to McKeesport
