WOZNIAK: GOV’S VISIT BRINGS FOUR
PIECES OF GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS
JOHNSTOWN, Feb.
14 – Four pieces of positive
economic news came from Gov. Ed
Rendell’s visit to the area
today, according to State Sen.
John N. Wozniak.
“The Johnstown area
will get 1,000 new healthcare
and biotechnology jobs -- and
residents of Ebensburg, Windber,
and Somerset will see their
streets revitalized,” said
Wozniak (D-Cambria/ Clinton/
Centre/ Clearfield/ Somerset).
“This is welcome news,
especially on Valentine’s Day,
to hear that the state has
reaffirmed its commitment to
local job creation and community
development.”
The Governor
presented $3 million in
Redevelopment Assistance Capital
Program (RACP) funds for the
Johnstown Redevelopment
Authority to add more than 1,000
new positions at the Greater
Johnstown Regional Technology
Complex in the fields of
biotechnology, healthcare
services, hospital
administrative support, training
programs and related
technologies.
Administered by the
Office of the Budget, the RACP
state grant program provides
funding for the acquisition and
construction of regional
economic, cultural, civic and
historical improvement projects.
The General Assembly approved
$640 million in RACP funding in
July 2004.
“RACP is a key
component of Pennsylvania’s
economic stimulus package, which
was launched in 2004,” Wozniak
said. “The entire plan leverages
$2.3 billion in grants, loans
and guarantees over the next
three years. In return, we will
see an estimated $5 billion in
private matching funds for
business expansion.”
Gov. Rendell also announced more
than $830,000 in Home Town
Streets and Safe Routes to
School funding for the boroughs
of Windber, Ebensburg and
Somerset.
The Home Town
Streets and Safe Routes to
School grant program, created in
2004 as part of the Growing
Greener initiative, allots $200
million dollars over four years
for the refurbishing of
sidewalks, street lighting and
other neighborhood surroundings.
Currently, 226 projects are
underway, with a state
investment of $128.5 million.
“We’re restoring our
neighborhoods from the ground
up,” Wozniak said. “Cleaner,
more beautiful streets are the
first sign of a thriving
community –- one that’s ‘open
for business’ and ready to
welcome new residents.”
Ebensburg will
receive $471,500 in state monies
to complete the borough’s
streetscape project, with a
specific focus on securing
period street lighting in the
business district. Windber will
receive a $194,468 state grant
to construct a new sidewalk,
curbs and crosswalks on Railroad
Street. The state grant, along
with a $48,000 annual federal
allocation, will allow the
borough to connect the old
Berwind Mine 35 entrance to the
former company store.
The Borough of
Somerset will receive a $138,000
grant to complete the West
Garrett Street Safe Routes to
School project. In addition, the
Redevelopment Authority of
Somerset County will receive a
$27,000 grant to complete the
Somerset Borough East Main
Street Sidewalk and Façade
Project.
The following
agencies conducted project
reviews prior to awarding Home
Town Streets and Safe Routes to
School grant funding: the state
Transportation Commission; the
state Department of
Transportation (PennDOT); the
Johnstown Metropolitan Planning
Organization; the Southern
Alleghenies Regional Planning
and Development Commission; the
Federal Highway Administration;
the state Departments of
Community and Economic
Development (DCED); Conservation
and Natural Resources;
Education; and the Office of
Housing and Community
Revitalization.
##### |
