The study emphasizes the economic effects of the West Moreland Cultural Trust

The West Moreland Cultural Trust had an economic impact on the county of almost 13 million US dollars last year through its operation of the Palace Theater in Greensburg and other property owners and sponsored activities.

Executive director Benjamin Luczak said that the Trust commissioned the private study at the beginning of this year as a response to what he said was an expected national conversation about the importance of cultural organizations in communities.

“With everything that is going on in the nation, we wanted to say that art and culture are important for society. We are the largest cultural organization in the Laurel Highlands region,” said Luczak.

The study carried out by Fourth Economy, a national economic consulting company, showed that the trust achieved direct and indirect economic advantages for the district of $ 12.8 million, including the creation of around 700 jobs. The trust employs 102 people, including 44 full and part-time workers as well as a large number of contractual employees and volunteers. According to the study, ticket sales and other activities, 9.5 million US dollars were achieved in direct advantages for the district.

The trust operates the centuries-old palace theater with 1,300 seats in the city center of Greensburg, manages the Greensburg Civic Garden Center and has two other buildings, the Union Trust building on the corner of Main and Otterman Street as well as the Stark/James building in the Ottterman Street. It houses 32 tenants that contain retail space and offices.

It was operated last year with a budget of 6.8 million US dollars.

A similar impact study a decade ago showed that the trust contributed around 9 million US dollars to the local economy in 2014, said Luczak.

The Palace Theater gave more than 90,000 spectators at 120 events in 2014. Another 57,000 people visited events in the Garden Center.

“It means everything for Greensburg,” said Mayor Rob Bell about cultural trust. “It is one of our biggest attractions in the city and brings us a lot of foot on the street. If you have events in the palace in every restaurant and in the bar in Greensburg.”

Dan Debone, President of the West Moreland Chamber of Commerce, said the trust that is essential for the promotion and improvement of the district.

“As we continue to try to promote Westmoreland County, it is important to have a robust culture. “A very strong cultural district has to grow a community.”

The trust does not receive direct company financing from West Moreland County, but for years these scholarships receive these scholarships for the 5% hotel tax for marketing campaigns in connection with the Garden Center and the Palace Theater.

West Moreland Commissioner Sean Kertes, member of the Trust Board of Directors, said it was well spent.

“The cultural trust is a great business driver, maybe just the second at the airport. It is a big good in the West Moreland district,” said Kertes.

According to Luczak, the effects of the trust on the community are expected to grow.

The Palace Theater will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2026, and the officials said that plans to improve the offers in the future years, including the increase in further headlines to the county.

“We expect the numbers to grow. We want to return where it was a few years ago. We also see a need for more family programming,” said Luczak.