This year's funding recommendations totaled $658,090 for 22 projects.
Uniontown, PA - The Fayette County Board of Commissioners hosted a Local Share Account Award Ceremony for 2022-23 recipients Monday morning at the former Gallatin Bank Building in Uniontown.
Commissioners Dave Lohr, Vince Vicites and Scott Dunn selected the LSA grant recipients last fall, and those projects were submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for final approval. DCED will administer the funding for those projects through 2023.
Fayette County Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Andrew French served as master of ceremonies for the festivities.
“I think the LSA Program is critical to Fayette County because it represents another somewhat flexible resource to help our communities implement these impactful projects,” French said. “Clearly there is a need for funding because we’ve received millions of dollars of requests each year. Since it began in 2015, LSA has filled gaps that were created by the reduction of other funding sources.”
Monday’s event served as an additional way for the county to recognize the grantees who continued to do exemplary work in their communities.
The projects honored included:
• Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative - Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.
• Team Humanity Equipment for Training and Microbusiness - Team Humanity, LLC.
• Heritage Reservation Boy Scout Camp - Troop B Camp Cadet.
• Community Resources of Fayette County - Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County.
• Brownsville Borough Public Safety Equipment - Brownsville Borough Police Department.
• C.W. Resh Park Improvement Project - Saltlick Township.
• German Township Municipal Storage Building - German Township.
• Masontown V.F.W. Post 4584 Parking Lot Safety Upgrades - Masontown V.F.W. Post 4584.
• South Union Indoor Sports Complex Turf - South Union Township.
• South Connellsville Park Improvements - South Connellsville Borough.
• Dunbar Area Little League Scoreboard Project - Dunbar Area Little League of Uniontown.
• Amvets Post 103 Facility Improvements - Amvets Post 103.
• MCVFC Communications Project - McClellandtown Volunteer Fire Company.
• Perryopolis Public Works Improvements - Perryopolis Borough.
• Connellsville Community Center Improvements - City of Connellsville.
• Upper Tyrone Municipal Complex Expansion - Upper Tyrone Township.
• Knights of Columbus Facility Improvements - Uniontown Columbian Association.
• DALL Recreation Improvements - Dunbar Area Little League of Dunbar Borough.
• Franklin Township Parks Upgrades - Franklin Township.
• Training/Conference Room Remodel - Smock Volunteer Fire Department.
• Main Street Orient Bridge Project - Redstone Township.
• LSA Administration - Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.
French said more than 50 applicants requested more than $3.5 million in funding. The commissioners ultimately chose 22 projects for a total LSA funding recommendation of $658,090.
That funding will be leveraged by more than $345,000 from other funding sources secured by the project applicants, creating a total impact of more than $1.2 million countywide.
LSA funding is generated annually through the county’s share of gaming revenues derived from Nemacolin’s Lady Luck Casino in Wharton Township. Fayette County municipalities, redevelopment authorities, nonprofits and other community organizations are eligible to apply, and groups are encouraged to apply for multiple years.
Commissioner Vicites said the LSA Program is a “wonderful way for the commissioners to help as many communities as we can” throughout Fayette County.
“Over the past eight years, we’ve awarded 145 projects more than $5.52 million dollars. Many of these projects would not be possible without LSA funding,” Vicites said. “This round of funding was a good geographical representation of projects across the county in numerous communities.”
Commissioner Lohr said that while Fayette County is “bursting with potential,” completing projects “essential to fulfilling that potential requires money” that some organizations “simply do not have.”
“That’s where LSA comes in. The grant program is one of many resources that can be used to support important development initiatives – another ‘tool in the toolbox” to foster growth,” Lohr said. “LSA grant recipients are right here at home in the organizations serving your community. They’re receiving funding to complete projects that directly impact the community and, ultimately, it’s the people of Fayette County who benefit. Current recipients run the gamut from veterans’ organizations, and police and fire departments, to cities, boroughs and townships. Kudos to all who applied, and congratulations to this year’s recipients.”
Commissioner Dunn said the LSA Program is an important part of Fayette County because our municipalities, nonprofits and authorities use it for “projects of community importance,” such as “parks, playgrounds, new water lines” and more.
“This reinvestment into our community helps make Fayette County a more attractive place to live and work. Many of our communities do not have the resources to fund projects that enhance their livability,” Dunn said. “The cities, boroughs and townships often provide their mandated services, their needs, through taxation. LSA is needed to fund the wants and wish lists; the extra things that truly can transform a community.”
For more information contact the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority at 724-437-1547 or visit www.racfpa.org.
To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.
Editor's Note: Photos attached (LSA Award Ceremony; LSA Award Recipients)
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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.
For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info or Kaylie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.
