Area Leaders Envision Regional 'Aerotropolis'

For Moon, perhaps nothing has proved as significant an economic engine as the Pittsburgh International Airport, township Manager Jeanne Creese said.

"This community grew up around the airport," Creese said. "I think you would have a hard time finding a resident who doesn't have a direct or indirect tie to the airport." 

Creese and leaders from other airport-area communities will meet today to discuss how the airport might further shape the region's economic future. 

In an effort led by the Tri-County Airport Partnership, municipal leaders have been asked to envision a future in which the airport spurs economic growth in the region, making the Moon area a hub for retail, education and transportation. 

The word for it, Creese said, is "aerotropolis," or "airport city."

Township managers and planning directors from Findlay, North Fayette and Robinson will meet today at the to discuss entering a nonbinding agreement in which the townships will cooperate with one another while developing zoning and legislation in their respective municipalities. 

That agreement is intended to encourage economic growth in the communities, Creese said. 

"It's nonbinding, but it would be something that we would keep in mind in zoning and legislation and during the comprehensive planning process," Creese said. "It's basically a guideline for how we cooperate with the municipality next to us." 

The communities' respective governing bodies must approve the memorandum before it is finalized. 

In June, the community leaders took part in a two-day summit at to discuss aviation-driven economic development.

The Tri-County Airport Partnership brought in outside consultants to the summit to discuss the ways in which the airport could impact the region's future. 

"What was interesting about this was they asked the leaders to look at the airport in different ways," Creese said. "We looked at other airport areas that have had cities grow up around them." 

Creese said the leaders have considered "conceptual plans" for regional business development that could help shape the Moon area in the decades to come. 

"When we meet with developers who are looking to locate near the airport, we're always in competition," Creese said. "Businesses may be looking toward Cranberry or Southpointe and we need to constantly be making these efforts to bring them here."