Robbins Announces $136,150 in Crawford County Community Revitalization Grants

Harrisburg – State Senator Robbins (R-50) today announced the awarding of $136,150 in state grants to aid community revitalization projects in Crawford County.

"There are important local projects and I am pleased to be announcing this financial assistance," said Robbins.

The senator announced the following grants:

Precision Manufacturing Institute -- $44,000 to replace the roof on the Kerr Technology Center in the Titusville Industrial Park. PMI and Kerr Technology provide new skills training to hundreds of unemployed, underemployed and dislocated workers to gain successful employment. A new roof will protect the new training equipment – such as a Hydraulic Trainer and a Thermal Science Trainer for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) -- in which Kerr Technology has invested.
Meadville Redevelopment Authority -- $25,000 to repair the Chimney Stack at the Meadville Industrial Complex and Business Incubator. The incubator houses 27 businesses, providing 250 local jobs. The 120-foot chimney stack supports the facility's heating system, but is cracked and leaking. The project will include removing the top 40 feet of chimney and filling the cracks.
United Way of Western Crawford County -- $17,150 to develop the French Creek Valley Community Improvement Center in Meadville. The center will help residents with special needs on limited incomes make their homes safe and accessible by building ramps, replacing railings, etc.
Northwest Physicians Associates Foundation -- $20,000 to create a health education center at its location at 1012 Walter Street in Meadville. The site would include a kitchen for diabetic, obesity and nutrition classes.
YWCA of Meadville -- $10,000 to replace the building's boiler and associated piping, which are old and inefficient. The YWCA is in the middle of a capital improvement campaign.
Sadsbury Township -- $20,000 to complete construction of a new Public Works garage and purchase an emergency generator. The township has invested more than $20,000 in local funds into building the garage. The generator will provide electricity and phone service during times of emergency.

"These grants will support job training and economic development, and assist local government and nonprofits. It's good to see tax dollars returning to our communities to support local projects," said Robbins.

The grants were approved by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

CONTACT: Mike Hengst (717) 787-1322