Grant season rolling in Wayne

DAVID HULSE
Posted 2/28/18

HONESDALE, PA — Commissioners Chair Brian Smith shuffled a handful of project plans as he entered the room for the commissioners’ February 22 meeting. Those plans, he explained, were for …

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Grant season rolling in Wayne

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HONESDALE, PA — Commissioners Chair Brian Smith shuffled a handful of project plans as he entered the room for the commissioners’ February 22 meeting. Those plans, he explained, were for a Waymart proposal to add a baseball field and restrooms at the borough park. That plan wasn’t on the agenda, but several others were.

The commissioners authorized two state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant applications, for the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) and the Hawley Silk Mill. RACP funding would provide $1 million for construction of “spec” building at the Sterling Business & Technology Park.

Commissioner Joseph Adams said both are to bring “economic development and jobs to Wayne.” RACP funding of $2 million is being sought toward an expansion that could exceed $3 million of the Silk Mill. The Silk Mill project would add mixed-space small-business and medical education programs to be provided by Lackawanna College.

RACP grants require a 50% local match.

WEDCO, with $717,257, and Hawley, with $459,622 have both been active in various state grant programs.

Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a $252,966 grant to pave and complete WEDCO’s Innovation Drive in Sterling Business Park, in Sterling Township.

The announcement was one of 45 highway, bridge, bike and pedestrian, and ports and waterways projects that will benefit communities in 22 counties through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Multimodal Transportation Fund. The $41.5 million investment follows PennDOT’s evaluation of 222 applications requesting more than $241 million.

In January, Hawley Borough received a $277,911 grant to repair or replace approximately 733 feet of failing storm sewer pipe, to eliminate periodic flooding and prevent soil erosion from entering the Lackawaxen River. Funding is through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Local Share Account (gaming) grants of $1,093,002 for Wayne projects were also announced in January and included Damascus Township, for parking lot paving, baseball field and parking improvements, $200,000; Hawley Borough for a levee repair project, phase II, $181,711; Mount Pleasant Township, for an anti-skid shed for the township building, $50,000; Texas Township, for municipal building improvements, $197,000; WEDCO, community library of Lake and Salem townships building repair, $64,291; and WEDCO, for Sterling Business & Technology Park, Lot 3 site development, $400,000.

The commissioners also voted recommendations for the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau’s release of $23,400 tourism grants of $500 to $2,000 to 14 approved Wayne businesses and civic organizations.

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