WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania's congressional delegation is one step closer to securing a new military commissary for Allegheny County.

Military officials told lawmakers from the Keystone State that they will ask the Defense Department's commissary board on Nov. 27 to approve a facility near Pittsburgh International Airport.

"The big 'but' is the money," said Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, who hosted the meeting in his office.

Lawmakers also learned that the present commissary, Collier's Charles E. Kelly Support Facility -- which sells discounted goods to active, reserve and retired military personnel -- will remain open at least until 2011, again pushing back its expected closure date.

It was originally scheduled to close next year under the recommendations of the Pentagon's Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

The price tag for a new facility is estimated to be $8.2 million. Pennsylvania's lawmakers already have placed $4 million in the annual defense appropriations bill. It has passed both chambers of Congress, but Senate and House negotiators still need to meet to reconcile differences in the legislation.

Mr. Doyle said he and his colleagues will approach Gov. Ed Rendell to ask for financial help from the state. He said the governor has already expressed support for the project.

If Pennsylvania lawmakers can compile a financing package that is closer to the total cost, the military likely will move faster, he said.

Yesterday's meeting included Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, and Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, and lawmakers from neighboring states that make use of the Collier facility.

They spoke with the head of the Defense Commissary Agency, who said he would make the recommendation for a new commissary.

"We have a lot of work to do," said Mr. Murphy. "But I'm optimistic. This is great news."

Allegheny County has agreed to hand over to the military land near the airport, at Business Route 60 and University Boulevard. County Chief Executive Dan Onorato repeated his support yesterday.

As many as 160,000 former and current military personnel in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia are eligible to use the commissary.