Member Highlight: Penn Hills Community Development Corporation

1. Organization:Penn Hills Community Development Corporation (PHCDC)
2. Founding Date:The earliest evidence shows the formation of the organization in February or March of 2010. PHCDC received its 501(c)3 letter of determination on August 27, 2011.
3. Executive Director:The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, and the current president is Ray Luncher.
4. Current Staff Size:PHCDC does not have any employees; PHCDC is currently an all-volunteer organization. All administrative functions and planning are executed by the Board of Director while projects are managed with various committees.
5. What geographic area do you serve?The Municipality of Penn Hills.
6. What is your mission statement?The mission of the Penn Hills Community Development Corporation (CDC) is to engage in activities that serve to unite the Penn Hills community and enhance the quality of life for its residents. In fulfilling this mission we seek to actively promote inclusion of the entire Penn Hills community, including all neighborhoods, as well as Penn Hills business owners and other community stakeholders.
7. What is one project or program that you are really excited about?PHCDC is managing the Penn Hebron Garden Club, and the organization is in the first year of a two-year lease. PHCDC is using the lease as a trial period to see if the organization is able to manage the property. Although the details have not been fully worked out, PHCDC may pursue ownership of the building in the future. PHCDC currently uses the space for community meetings and rents it out for receptions, graduation events, and parties. Also, PHCDC partners with local businesses and artists to host a free coffeehouse every Wednesday at the Penn Hebron Garden Club.
8. What are some of your organization’s recent accomplishment?PHCDC recently held its first House Tour on September 14, 2013. Coldwell Banker was instrumental in helping with the tour booklets, and PHCDC engaged area businesses and florists to help as well. The organization set up a tour of 16 homes, sold over 250 tickets, and had 54 walk-ins on the day of the tour. In terms of revenue generating and resident exposure, this was the most successful PHCDC event to date.

   Additionally, the Animal Rescue Wildlife Center in Penn Hills released a red-tailed hawk as a part of the Penn Hills House Tour.

9. What is one must-see/must-do when visiting your neighborhood?The Anderson Library located at the corner of Saltsburg and Stotler Rd. The building is LEED certified, and it is the 2nd most used library in Allegheny County.
10. What is your neighborhood’s best kept secret?The new Penn Hills High School and the construction of a new elementary school that will open in early 2014.
11. Is there a restaurant or business in your neighborhood that regularly partners with your organization?Penn Hills Lawn and Garden has been instrumental in helping the PHCDC fulfill our mission to enhance the Penn Hills Community. The local business has donated and supported many of our projects:
    • the Penn Hills Community Garden;
    • the Rain Garden Project (Rodi Road);
    • the Jefferson Senior Center Garden;
    • the Penn Hills House Tour; and
    • they serve as a drop of point for fresh produce donations for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.

    Penn Hills Lawn and Garden has set the bar for how businesses can thrive when they engage in community projects and events. They offer many additional services, from hosting a variety of workshops, landscape design, holiday decorating services, and a large 2nd floor gift shop.Penn Hills Lawn and Garden is just one of the many exceptional businesses the PHCDC showcases in our "Shop Local" contest, and they are former recipients of our "Golden Broom Award" given to businesses for their curb appeal.

12. Interesting fact:According to the 2010 Census data, there are 42,329 residents living in Penn Hills, and it is the second largest municipality in Allegheny County.
13. Upcoming event(s):
14. Contact information:Name of contact person for further inquiries:Marie Sandvig, PHCDC SecretaryAddress:Penn Hills Community Development CorporationPO Box 17730Pittsburgh, PA 15235Website:pennhillscdc.org/Penn Hills CDC Facebook: facebook.com/Penn-Hills-Community-Development-CorporationTwitter:twitter.com/pennhillscdc

[Source (from left to right): Ray Luncher, PHCDC President; Shawn O'Mahony, PHCDC Garden Manager; Marie Sandvig, PHCDC Secretary]