Yough Riverhouse

People

The Welds were long time residents of Confluence, living in a riverfront house on the Youghiogheny River. In early 2010, they wanted a better educational situation for their children and moved to Morgantown, WV. During their business and kayaking trips, they would often rent a house for their stay as opposed to staying at a hotel or motel. Based on this experience, they decided to keep their riverfront house in Confluence as a vacation rental unit. . The rental house has been very successful. Named the Yough Treehouse, the rental unit is nearly 100% occupied from early spring through late fall.

Progress

The Welds  purchased this adjoining riverfront property with the house which they  use as a 2nd rental unit.  As a rental unit, it can accommodate up to 15 guests. The Welds often get requests for groups of more than 6 which they cannot accommodate at the Treehouse. This rental will accommodate larger families or groups. A loan from The Progress Fund for $475,000 made it possible for the Welds to purchase the property and also an adjoining 48 acres of vacant land.  They believe it was vital to preserve this piece of land in order to keep someone from trying to develop it or to keep it from being clear cut for its timber. To that end, they have sold the property to  the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Impact

The Yough Treehouse and this new property, The  Yough Riverhouse, are located in Confluence, very near to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. The rental units serve bikers as well as visitors to the area taking advantage of the many local outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, hiking, and skiing.

This project was financed in part using Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative (PSBCI) funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Progress Fund is an equal opportunity provider and employer.