By Olivia Massucci · Staff Writer
U.S. Sen. David McCormick, R-Pa., visited Grove City College on Dec. 15 to meet with college officials and civic and political leaders to discuss revitalization efforts in Mercer County.
McCormick said he wanted to “talk a little and listen a lot” to learn how his work can benefit Western Pennsylvania. Regional leaders advised him on the area’s challenges and opportunities.
Grove City College received a $179,500 grant in May from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to fund a community revitalization plan for downtown Grove City. According to Grove City’s senior director of development, Brian Powell, the meeting provided an opportunity to update McCormick on the latest developments in Mercer County, including the downtown Grove City plan.
“For revitalization to succeed long term, it’s crucial to start with local private support,” Powell said. “We also keep our state and federal officials informed, as their involvement and resources can benefit the project’s future progress.”
Powell said that briefing McCormick does not alter the project’s trajectory but helps raise awareness and generate momentum among public officials and stakeholders.
“In the past six months, our community has actively collaborated to create a sustainable plan for downtown revitalization,” Powell said. “The next steps involve sharing this vision with local stakeholders, building a team to execute the plan and applying for a grant to build capacity.”
The five-year revitalization plan is expected to begin in 2026 and aims to encourage students to visit downtown Grove City and support local businesses. Assistant Borough Manager Taylor Pokrant said the borough hopes to strengthen connections between the college and the downtown area.
“We want to see that connection and that the students don’t just stay on the campus, that they come and visit our local merchants and infuse capital into those merchants,” Pokrant said.
The specifics of the plan are still being refined, and both Powell and Pokrant are looking for feedback from the Grove City community.
Powell encouraged community members who missed earlier focus groups or public open houses to contact him with feedback.
“Our aim is to transform downtown into a magnet for entrepreneurship, growth and investment, making it an appealing place for students to choose to stay after graduation,” he said.
Pokrant said he is “thankful to have a partner in Grove City College.” Much of the campus borders the downtown study area, and borough officials are seeking guidance from the college community.
“We really would like to see input from the college, whether directly from students or through members of the college staff on the committee, on what types of entities downtown would bring students off campus and into the downtown,” Pokrant said.
