Mon Valley organizations receive grant money
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Communities across the Mon Valley have been awarded a variety of grants for local projects including the arts, infrastructure and renovation.
Several elected officials announced the grants Tuesday.
State Rep. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport, said several organizations in the Mon Valley have been awarded Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Program funds to help fund infrastructure and renovation projects in their facilities.
A total of $485,501 was awarded to entities in the 35th Legislative District to help fund their infrastructure and renovation projects.
The funding was awarded through the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund and approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The state Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Program was established to fund community and economic development projects in Allegheny County through revenues generated from all casinos.
The funds are determined via a daily assessment of the licensed facility’s gross terminal revenue.
Davis said Healthy Village Learning Institute on Freemont Street in McKeesport, which uses an African-centered learning and practice module to provide learning opportunities for people of all races through artifacts, books, technology, art, community service projects, family events and health and wellness programs, has been awarded $85,501 to replace old windows with energy-efficient windows.
Steel Rivers Council of Governments in White Oak, a nonprofit organization of municipalities created through the merger of two council of governments — Steel Valley and Twin Rivers — in 2015 to represent Mon Valley communities, was given $100,000 for the construction of retaining walls.
SRCOG member municipalities include Braddock Hills, Clairton, Dravosburg, Duquesne, Elizabeth and Forward townships, Glassport, Homestead, Liberty and Lincoln boroughs, McKeesport, Munhall, Port Vue, South Versailles, Versailles, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, Whitaker and White Oak.
Carnegie Library of Homestead in Munhall received $100,000 to help fund the installation of a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant passenger elevator, and the City of Clairton was given $100,000 for the installation of safety lighting.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne was also awarded $100,000 for the installation of sidewalks, parking and ADA-compliant ramps.
“It’s exciting to announce funding to places that are important to our community and that provide residents with a number of needed resources,” Davis said. “It’s my hope this funding goes a long way in helping improve these respective facilities, and I look forward to completion of the projects.”
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