Growing Greener II Designated Projects – Press Conference

Greenhouse Park, Conemaugh Township

September 5, 2007

The Growing Greener II grant program was an opportunity for Somerset County municipalities and non-profit organizations to apply for grant money for capital improvement projects. The money comes from the Growing Greener bond fund established by the voters of Pennsylvania in 2005. Special consideration was given to projects that identified with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Somerset County Commissioners recently had the difficult task of deciding on the distribution of funding for the County’s portion of the Growing Greener II money. They received pre-application forms for 43 very good projects. These projects had a request total of $1.7 million dollars. Unfortunately this amount was nearly double the $1,000,000 allotment.

There were 26 projects selected for funding and all have been forwarded on to the Governor’s Policy Office for their final approval. Keeping in mind that the funding is pending approval by the state, it is our pleasure to announce the following 26 projects:

Garrett Borough will receive $25,000 to replace their current open lagoon storage with an enclosed detention tank, per DEP orders. If this tank is not replaced, a more expensive pre-treatment system must be installed.

$50,000 has been designated for the Central City Water Authority for filter rehabilitation. Repairs will be made to corroded and deteriorated mechanical components of the existing filter. These repairs are necessary to prevent the tank from leaking.

The Meyersdale Municipal Authority will receive $50,000 to install a master metering station to assist with a chronic water loss problem.

The Central City Borough will get $47,000 to rebuild storm sewers, rehabilitate sections of antiquated lines, and create drainage points with inlets in high runoff areas.

$30,000 has been designated for Windber Borough for repairs to their sewer system that is causing back-up in the main lines, resulting in basement flooding. A surge box will also be installed.

Meyersdale Borough will receive $50,000 to repair a leak of groundwater into their main sewage pumping station. A sluice gate manhole will be removed on the main sewer interceptor and ten storm water inlets will be replaced.

1900 feet of one inch copper water line will be replaced with six inch C-900 PVC water line with the $50,000 designated for the Berlin Borough Municipal Authority. This will improve the water system infrastructure to encourage development and will also proved needed fire protection in areas where hydrants do not currently exist.

The Windber Area Authority will use $50,000 to add ten feet to the height of one of their two water tanks to enhance fire protection pressure and water storage capacity and will also prepare them for a proposed subdivision that will add up to 248 new water customers.

In Conemaugh Township, $100,000 has been designated for the Stonycreek Whitewater Park. This will supplement existing funding for the construction of this tourist destination. Once opened, this park will house the first in-channel whitewater in Pennsylvania. Funding will assist with in-stream whitewater improvements, bank improvements for river access, a freestyle course, and a river trail.

The King’s Covered Bridge Park in Middlecreek Township has been allotted $16,400 for a park entrance, signage, benches, trash receptacles, landscaping, a gate and fence, and a walking trail.

$5,719 has been designated for the Swank House Restoration Project through the Conemaugh Township Historical Society. Exterior repairs will be made to the roof and windows and the structure will be repainted.

The Somerset County Parks and Recreation Board will receive $20,000 towards the rehabilitation of the Great Allegany Passage trails from Rockwood to Pinkerton. This is one of the most heavily used sections of the trail.

Benson Borough will receive $18,200 for their beautification project. This project will build on an initiative of the Hollsopple Youth Council in which they purchased a plot of land through money they raised from bake sales and car washes. The project will include development of a Benson/Hollsopple Gateway and the construction of a playground.

$45,000 has been set aside for the Somerset Borough for the construction of pedestrian crosswalks at North Center Avenue and the Turnpike Approach Road and at East Main Street and Pleasant Avenue. This project leverages funding from PennDOT for antique lighting in these two areas.

The J.B. Schrock Community Park in Berlin Borough will receive $8,000 to replace the current five foot fence with an eight foot fence and ten foot gates at the entrance. A video surveillance system will be installed to curtail vandalism and illegal activities after dark.

The Hollsopple Historical Building, Inc., will receive $17,650 to restore and maintain the historic Hollsopple B&O train station with painting, landscaping, signage, and lighting.

The amount of $30,000 has been designated for Meyersdale Renaissance to create a more attractive and welcoming gateway from the Meyersdale trail head on the Great Allegany Passage to the downtown area.

The Cambria and Somerset Counties Conservancy will get $15,000 for wildlife enhancement at the Quemahoning Reservoir. A habitat management plan will be implemented and will include the construction of five – two acre wildlife food plots and the establishment of one – two acre chestnut plantation to develop a blight-resistant American Chestnut Tree.

The Wells Creek Watershed Association will receive $9,931 to monitor the main stem of Wells Creek. This sampling is necessary to assure clean water for residents in the watershed and downstream.

The Cambria and Somerset Counties Conservancy will receive $50,000 for a Quemahoning Creek Alkalinity Improvement Project. This will provide an improvement to the water quality of the Stonycreek Conemaugh River System by offsetting acid loading through the application of a limestone dosing system.

The Somerset Area Little League will get $30,000 for the construction of one complete field, to upgrade their concession stand and to renovate and expand their bathrooms and upgrade them, making them handicap accessible.

$30,000 has been designated for the Jenner Township Community Park to build a more secure concession stand and to construct restroom facilities.

The Berlin Community Grove Association will get $20,000 to upgrade electricity for safety purposes and also to allow for expansion. They will install locking gates for security and install a walking path.

The Confluence Borough will use their $12,100 to restore the roof of the Community Center. This building houses the Borough offices, the police office, a recreation center, Head Start, the Reading Center and is the home to three festivals.

The Salisbury Elk-Lick Veterans Memorial will receive $20,000 towards the construction of a memorial park in the center of town. This committee has held fundraisers to support this project and will soon be able to recognize veterans of all wars with their memorial.

The Windber Health Care Foundation has been designated to receive $100,000 for the construction of a new wellness center, “Windber Place.” The center will offer community residents recreational programs, educational activities and special events.

The one million dollars designated by this program is an impressive number in its own right. Then, when you consider this one million dollars has leveraged another $6.4 million in funding to come into Somerset County, you realize you need to thank the organizations who applied for this money for their good works within their respective communities.