Proponents of the proposed consolidation of five Shenango Valley municipalities say a combined municipality would offer what they feel are a variety of benefits:

Proponents of the proposed consolidation of five Shenango Valley municipalities say a combined municipality would offer what they feel are a variety of benefits:
Stem the rise of property taxes by shifting the tax base to a municipal wage tax of 1.75 percent. Three of the targeted communities have only a 0.5 percent wage tax.
Provide operating economies of scale by eliminating the need to maintain five municipal buildings.
Streamline government operations into a single, professional government.
Provide a more efficient delivery of municipal services.
Develop a single police department of 69 officers that would cost about $700,000 less per year to operate than municipalities are paying now.
Create a single fire department of volunteers, supplemented by paid firefighters.
Create a municipality that is the third largest in western Pennsylvania, giving the area more political clout and making it a larger draw for new business.
Entitle the new city to larger state and federal grant possibilities.
Plan economic development on a valleywide basis.
Signify a high level of community involvement, which businesses seeking new locations would find attractive.
Create a new "sense of place."
Create a general increase in property values.
Create more and better employment opportunities for young people.