A message board in front of Book Country Clearing House on Walnut Street in McKeesport advertises the availability of part-time work.

In a community where "Help Wanted" signs are the exception, not the rule, Richard Roberts, who is president of the discount book distributing firm, said the sign was not a mistake.

"We're always hiring," he said, noting business has expanded to 80 workers from 13 when he and his wife, Sandy, bought it three years ago.

The warehouse opened its doors Friday to state, local and county leaders, whose tour of the facility coincided with the cities of McKeesport, Clairton and Duquesne being redesignated an enterprise zone by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The three cities were declared an enterprise zone in 1996. Roughly 100 businesses in the zone have benefited since then from tax credits, low interest loans and technology assistance offered through the state. The new designation will last for seven years.

For Book Country, a $250,000 loan through the program made it possible to buy computer software for tracking inventory and forklifts, Mr. Roberts said.

In Duquesne, American Textile Co. received $750,000 in loans from the enterprise zone program, allowing that firm to expand to include a pillow manufacturing station and create more than 50 jobs, American Textile President Jack Ouellette said.

Through the program, the state has awarded many smaller grants and loans to businesses and organizations, including assistance to the cities themselves to fund public relations activities.

At the event marking the redesignation, state Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville, and state Reps. David Levdansky, D-Forward, and Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, presented $50,000 from the state to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne, which administers the enterprise zone program to Duquesne, McKeesport and Clairton.

The money will be used for technical assistance to companies and to promote and publicize the enterprise zone.

McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster, Duquesne Mayor Phil Krivacek and others who spoke at the event shared a similar message: That cities and towns in the Mon Valley have to pull together as one to attract business development and that the enterprise zone is helping to do that.

Duquesne Enterprise Zone community coordinator Chuck Starrett agreed.

"We want people to know that we are open for business," he said.