Committee recommends 46 projects for $7.2 million in LSA grants
Washington County’s Local Share Account committee announced 46 projects it is recommending to receive portions of the eligible $7.2 million in gaming money, with nearly half of it going toward water or sewer improvement projects across the county.
The review committee approved the recommendations Monday afternoon during a teleconference meeting that was live-streamed online, sending its list to the Washington County commissioners, who will make a final decision on the grants at their Thursday voting meeting.
The LSA committee reviewed 65 applications requesting a total of $15.873 million in grants during two public hearings held last month. Of the 46 projects the committee recommended for approval Monday, 14 of them involved water or sewer improvements for a total of $3.1 million.
Jeff Kotula, chairman of the LSA review committee and president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, said they typically focus on infrastructure projects that they believe can be economic drivers for the county. The money recommended for sanitary improvement projects this year is up about 30% over 2021’s allocation.
“The LSA Review Committee places a strong emphasis on recommending infrastructure projects as those monies can be utilized for both growth projects and upgrading existing systems,” Kotula said. “In terms of overall impact, investing in infrastructure creates economic development opportunities, commercial and residential development as well as improves water/sewage systems.”
The next largest category was community improvement, which split about $2.4 million between 20 projects that include various park expansions, municipal building renovations, structure demolitions and façade improvements. Another $1.2 million is earmarked for nine additional public interest projects, while less than a half-million dollars will be split by three separate economic development projects.
The amount of available LSA money, which comes from gambling revenue from the newly renamed Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in North Strabane, is up this year after dipping in 2021 following various shutdowns during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. About $6.6 million was available for 42 projects last year, meaning the amount of LSA grants in 2022 increased by about 10% to $7.2 million. The program has averaged about $7 million in grants annually since 2015.
Monday’s LSA committee meeting, which lasted less than 20 minutes and consisted of several roll call votes, can be viewed on YouTube by searching “Final LSA Recommendations/Public Meeting.”
Community Improvement
Allison Park/Chartiers School District Public Restroom – $110,000
Always Remembering: West Brownsville War Memorial Restoration – $13,680
Burgettstown Trail Inn Phase 2 – $33,765
Charleroi Borough Demolition – $115,000
Washington Code Enforcement Demolition – $300,000
Daisytown Community Center Restoration – $12,250
Aging Services Cross Creek Valley Senior Center Generator – $19,870
East Bethlehem Township Municipal Building Renovation – $145,620
Trolley Museum East Campus Development – $47,000
Marianna Borough Municipal Building Renovation Phase 2 – $100,000
McDonald Heritage Park Rehabilitation – $100,000
Monongahela Façade Grant/Incentive Program – $80,000
Montour Trail Phase 41 Greer Tunnel Rehabilitation – $241,027
Donora Borough Palmer Park Dek Hockey Court – $200,000
Peters Township Rolling Hills Park Aquatic Center – $200,000
West Bethlehem Township Building Renovation – $42,500
Carroll Township Valley Avenue Park Playground Improvements – $100,000
Washington County Historical Society Research & Education Center Phase 3 – $354,815
North Franklin Township Waterside Park Event Center – $100,000
Washington Business District Authority Façade Improvement – $125,000
Economic Development
W&J College Ignite Washington County Business Incubator – $100,000
Mon Valley Alliance Foundation Business Resource Center – $250,000
Trinity Area School District IU1 STEM Economic Development – $100,000
Public Interest
Peters Township Sanitary Authority Sewer Infrastructure Rehabilitation – $500,000
Carroll Township Authority Sewer Rehabilitation – $350,000
Marianna-West Bethlehem Joint Sewer Authority Ash St. Sewer Separation – $140,000
Centerville Borough Sewer Authority Testing Equipment – $100,000
Authority of Borough of Charleroi WWPT Digester Mixing Improvements – $243,750
East Bethlehem Township Sewer Authority Mechanical Screen Installation – $202,050
Peters Creek Sanitary Authority Interceptor Manhole Rehab Project – $207,375
Hanover Township Sewer Authority Pump Stations & Plant Improvement – $100,000
Vestaburg Municipal Authority Pump Station Replacement – $283,500
Municipal Authority of City of Monongahela Waste Treatment Plant Upgrade – $50,000
Authority of the Borough of Charleroi 2nd Street Waterline Replacement – $300,000
Bentleyville Municipal Authority Burkhart & White Street Line Replacement – $184,000
Tri-County Municipal Authority District Metering 2022 – $158,538
Tri-County Municipal Authority Vestaburg Waterline Replacement Phase 3 – $250,000
Centerville Clinics Inc. Laboratory Equipment Improvements – $328,516
Daisytown Community Center Afterschool Program – $12,250
Literacy Council of SWPA Expansion of Our Tutor Library – $10,000
Guardian Angels Medical Services Dogs Inc. Regional Campus – $236,993
Blueprints Home Ownership Center of Washington County – $100,000
Washington City Mission Dining Facility Industrial Dishwasher – $10,000
Fallowfield Township Redd’s Mill Road/Pigeon Creek Deck Replacement – $200,000
Redevelopment Authority of Washington County Assistance Programs – $250,000
West Middletown Borough Sidewalks – $91,800