SMETHPORT — McKean County Commissioners moved along hundreds of thousands in grants and allocations during their meeting Monday.
They passed a resolution committing $668,338 as a match for the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Fund Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development website, “grants are available to community anchor institutions and units of local government to fund community projects that construct, acquire or improve facilities” such as shared office space, schools and libraries.
Also among the approvals was $250,000 in liquid fuels tax funds allocated to Port Allegany Borough for replacement of the Arnold Street bridge.
Commissioners next approved five county projects for the Act 152 Blight Removal Program, which provides funds for demolition and blight remediation planning. Approved funds totaled $39,415.54 and comprised $9,853.89 in local matching funds and $29,561.65 in Act 152 funds.
Grant requests were approved for 16 Main St., Lewis Run, for $2,925; 57 E. Main St., Mount Jewett, for $5,985; 91 High St., Bradford, for $5,965; 124½ W. Washington St., Bradford, for $8,687.25; and 109 S. Edgar St., Kane, for $5,998.50.
An ARPA allocation of $100,000 to the Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development was approved for Phase Two of the Callahan Park Project. The second phase includes improvements such as a new small pavilion, restroom facilities, sidewalk replacement, updated picnic facilities, replacement of the pedestrian bridge, new park entrance sign and parking lot improvements.
Amendments to reallocate Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) 2022 were approved, moving a total just shy of $20,000 to rapid re-housing rental assistance.
They approved Adult Probation’s application for the 2024-25 Intermediate Punishment/Order of Probation Grant totaling $99,999 as well as an industry partnership internship program agreement with Workforce Solutions.
Commissioners also granted county tax refunds to Kevin Currier ($458.52) on appeal, Andrew and Lynette Eschrich ($229.43) for change of use; and $263.99 to James and Connie Huntoon for change of use.
Further, they passed a memorandum of understanding between the county and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to provide subscriber radio equipment to its police department.
In personnel updates, Brianna Dixon was announced as second deputy controller.
According to the meeting schedule, commissioners were due to meet Tuesday, but moved the meeting to Monday due to the Pennsylvania primary election.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 14.
