In prior endeavors, Ford had owned and operated, among many things, a river shipping line from which he drew his capital.

The site upon which Ford City is located consisted roughly 460 acres broken primarily into three farms owned by Ross, Spencer and Graff families.

Ford’s explorations of the area prior to his land acquisitions had discovered the Allegheny River offered a unique asset in its composition.

Characteristics of this type of river was massive deposits of glacial sand, an essential element in the manufacture of glass.

Also discovered in the area were huge deposits of natural gas, the fuel source required to fire the immense kilns used to melt the glass’s elements.

Drawing workers and their families from over 35 identifiable European ethnic groups, Ford City became the quintessential example of America’s melting pot.

PPG’s efficiency and product quality virtually ended the importation of European glass to the United States.

Finally, in 1992, PPG permanently closed its gates and began the demolition of portions of the Ford City Works, formerly the largest plate-glass factory in the world.

In 1989 it began manufacturing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and framing for some of the area’s largest housing builders.

This expansion provided them with the means to process hardwoods from kiln-dried state to finished product, ready to install.

Today, American Standard, which merged with the well-known plumbing brands Eljer and Crane, is owned primarily by private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, with private equity firm Bain Capital Partners Inc. holding a minority share.

The Ford City plant had a long manufacturing history, but in prior years to its closing its work force had gradually decreased.

In 2004, Ford City Community Development Corporation secured $12 million in funds to construct a 70,000-square-foot business incubator on the site of the former Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) factory.

This initiative was part of the town’s broader revitalization efforts aimed at attracting new businesses and creating job opportunities.

The project was designed to help stimulate economic growth and provide a space for startups and small businesses to thrive.

This led to the Borough being given a $580,000 fine by the U.S. Economic Development Administration for foreclosing on the property too soon, violating the EDA grant.

In addition to their occupation, a second subsidiary PullFlex Technologies, an "American producer of Fiberglass Reinforced Polymers focusing on specialty and custom designed applications like high strength-to-weight ratio composite materials, hybrid resin systems and custom woven and stitched material solutions"[10] renovated and now occupies an additional portion of the plant.

In 2022, the State Rep. Jeffery P. Pyle Building was opened housing BC3 and in it providing classes that lead to an associate degree in Business Administration, Psychology and General Studies.

[21] The area's only Catholic elementary school, Divine Redeemer, is located on 4th Avenue in downtown Ford City.

The park also features a gazebo and a war memorial dedicated to the men and women of Ford City who served in the United States military.