The Fayette County Community Action Agency’s mission is to strengthen individuals and families to become more self sufficient, achieving their potential by taking advantage of opportunities, improving the conditions in which they live, and taking ownership of their community.
Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. is using HFFI financing to support the development of the Republic Food Enterprise Center (RFEC), a food hub located in Republic, Pennsylvania, and serving southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to creating jobs in the food processing sector, the RFEC will coordinate with leading economic development organizations to support food-based initiatives and work to strengthen the connections between local growers, area residents, and leading commercial partners in the greater southwestern Pennsylvania region. This project intends to create up to 40 new, full-time jobs, of which 35 will be filled by low-income Fayette County residents. As part of the project, the RFEC also aims to expand six farmers markets in the region as part of this project.
Projected Impacts
- Expand the Republic Food Enterprise Center to stimulate agricultural production, produce value-added products, distribute local produce and products, and develop retail outlets in underserved areas
- Implement the region’s first mobile farmers markets
- Implement the region’s first produce-to-door subscription service
- Create (40) new jobs
Source of money: HFFI CED Program; Fiscal year(s): 2011, 2015