Elizabeth Township commissioners contemplate grant strategy

They plan to seek three types of grants to help cover the costs of township projects.

Several grant applications were discussed during Elizabeth Township’s workshop meeting — including a Multi Modal Grant for road paving, a Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund grant at the community center and a Local Share Account grant.

“Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we’re not,” Commissioner Chris Thoma said recently. “We are probably 50-60% in the success rate. Currently, what we would like to do is apply for a grant that we never tried to before, and I don’t think we’ve ever been successful, at least in the last four years, if ever, to apply for this grant.”

The Multi Modal Grant, distributed by PennDOT, helps municipalities improve safety, mobility and accessibility.

Eligible projects include streetscapes, sidewalks, pedestrian improvements, transit- related upgrades and roadway enhancements. The price range to apply is $100,000 to $3 million with a 30% match on the project funding.

The award is typically announced in December, and the township has until July 31 to apply.

“We’ve been talking about this together,” Thoma said. “We’ve been working on some roads and things that we could maybe potentially put for this. It’s an opportunity to improve critical infrastructure, enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians and residents and help us leverage state funding instead of relying solely on local tax dollars, which is what this board has done for the last four years.”

The grant also supports long-term planning and community development, and Thoma said they are looking to apply for Skillet Hill Road, a portion of Happy Hollow Road, Lincoln Hall Road, Grouse Drive and Boyds Hollow Road.

The goal is to improve the roadway conditions and liability, increase pedestrian safety and accessibility, strengthen transportation options and position the township for future growth and connectivity.

Thoma said that doesn’t mean other roads don’t need any work, but this group was identified as the most beneficial for this grant.

Other commissioners discussed other roads that could work as well.

“This grant is a strategic investment in our community,” Thoma said. “It allows us to address longstanding infrastructure needs, and we’re committed to pursuing funding that benefits the residents that reduces the financial burden. I think this is an aggressive list that we’re putting on here.”

They don’t have an estimated price for the roads yet, and the township could use liquid fuels funding toward the 30% match if the roads are eligible. Commissioner Kyle Walk said he doesn’t want the limited funding they get from liquid fuels to be used toward a match.

Township Manager Tammy Firda spoke with a representative from state Sen. Nick Pisciottano’s office, who stated that they only received a little over $1 million last year through this grant to share among all the communities.

Grouse Drive has drainage issues budgeted for this year already, according to Firda, who suggested rotating around to different roads in the township. They can also match grants with other grants.

“I do want to see boots on the ground from the guys because when you walk (the roads), you can tell better that they need to be crack sealed, and keep that process moving,” Firda said. “That’s why for Grouse Drive, we are going to do the drains, then we’ll do the paving, then it’ll go on the schedule for boots on the ground.

“If we just keep rotating like that, we will make it through the whole township. It will take us a little bit, but we do have a plan that we’re going to take back to the committee once we get all the roads in there, and hopefully move in a good direction.”

Other grants

Last week, officials toured the township’s community center to consider applying for a Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund grant to be used for extensive upgrade to that facility.

The GEDTF grant allows municipalities, authorities, councils of government and both non- and for-profit businesses to carry out significant economic development for current and future use.

It is funded by local gaming revenues and administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, and is a full-coverage grant.

While building three is the newest part of the community center, Commissioner Adam Musisko said the other two buildings need renovations and all three need new roofs and other repairs.

“I think the community center is an asset, and we’ve done what we can do with the additional parking, and are trying to address some other issues,” President Josh Walls said. “But I think the community center can become one of our crown jewels. I think it falls directly in line with this scope of this grant. We’ve had success with this grant as well.”

The Local Share Account program is funded by the gaming revenues under Pennsylvania’s Gaming Act. The money is distributed through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for projects that benefit the public.

Commissioners plan to apply for this grant soon and are looking for eligible projects.

Walls said 10% of the budget is allocated for grants. Thoma said all three grants discussed require extensive work.

“It’s not like they hand us a check, and say go do it,” Thoma said. “There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that has to happen, not only with the engineers, but also with our administration office. Countless hours of making sure it’s right, because if you mess up one thing, you’re not getting your money back.”