Moon Official: Military Commissary Could Be Economic Boon

Jim Vitale, chairman of the Moon Board of Supervisors, said a new military commissary planned to open on the corner of University Boulevard and Interstate 376 could have a significant economic impact on the township.

The trading post and grocery store for the region's military personnel, which will be built on county-owned property, will replace the existing commissary in Oakdale and will be the only commissary of its kind between Carlisle, Cumberland County and Dayton, OH.

"Anytime you can bring people into the township, there's an opportunity," Vitale said.

The Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority announced this week that it will begin soliciting bids for the facility. Construction is to begin this fall.

The commissary will be available to all active duty military personnel, fully retired veterans and eligible dependents in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. It will serve about 165,000 people within a 100-mile radius who otherwise would have faced a round trip of as many as 400 miles to reach other military facilities.

Construction had been slated to begin in July but was delayed because Congress has not approved all funding for the project.

Air Force Col. Ret. Jerry Kintigh, who has advocated for the new facility in Moon, said though the facility will serve only military personnel, other local businesses may benefit.

"You've got someone from outside of the region coming into Moon for the commissary and they're going to fill up there gas tank here and go out to eat here," he said. "It's good for the whole community."

Kintigh said the new commissary will offer expanded services from the current facility in Oakdale.

"It's going to be one-stop shopping for military personnel," he said.

Vitale said the redevelopment authority has presented plans for the facility to the township's supervisors.

"They gave us a presentation and asked for our blessing," he said. "There's a number of benefits that this could bring to the community."