Gibbons Announces $296,188 in Grants for 10th Legislative District Improvements

HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, said the Commonwealth Financing Authority today approved $296,188 in grants to improve local parks and trails.

Gibbons said the projects include:

• $32,000 greenways, trails and recreation grant for Wampum Borough Park;
• $52,000 for Wampum Station Park; and
• $212,188 for Slippery Rock Trail.

“These projects are vital parts of the economic development of our local communities and we must continue our successful local efforts to create more livable and workable downtown business districts. We’ve managed to get a lot done in terms of downtown revitalization over the past several years and I look forward to working with local municipal and community leaders to continue to deliver on the growing economic development potential of our region,” Gibbons said.

The Wampum Station project is a component of the Wampum Community Revitalization that will complete the outside space of a restored train station on Main Street. The outside spaces include a green parking area, safety fence and lighting, ADA parking and improved access to the river for recreational use. The train station is also a trail head and a rest and refreshment station for the North Country Trail. Hikers will be able to utilize this area for parking or a pickup area. The Wampum Community Revitalization is working with The Hoyt Art Institute, John Heinz Museum and the Warhol Museum to bring art and programming to the community.

The Wampum Borough Park project would replace tennis courts that are currently unusable. The borough has completed a master plan with the assistance of Lawrence County Planning and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which would involve restoring the park’s assets, expanding recreational equipment and connecting to the Main Street. Wampum Borough Park serves as a community park for New Beaver Borough and parts of Wayne Township. Projects already completed include the playground, replacing the ball fields and repairing the pavilion. The tennis court will complement the other projects and enhance recreational activities for the area.

Jim Ferrante, a member of Wampum Borough Council and Revitalization Committee thanked Gibbons for securing needed funding to complete the community projects.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Representative Gibbons and his staff so we can improve the quality of life for our residents through revitalization projects in our region,” Ferrante said.

The Slippery Rock Trail project would extend pedestrian accommodations along the eastern side of State Route 258 (North Main Street) near Slippery Rock Elementary School to Kelly Boulevard. The proposed project would include approximately 1,100 feet of sidewalk beginning at the Slippery Rock Elementary School driveway and extending north to Kelly Boulevard. It will provide a safe pedestrian route between the elementary school and the future site of Slippery Rock Borough’s Community Library. The project is part of the downtown revitalization effort to enhance the quality of life and connectivity in the community.

Gibbons said, “As Democratic chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, I was pleased to secure funding for these projects that will not only improve recreation in the area but are vital components to enhance tourism and boost economic opportunity in the downtown business districts.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority administers and finances projects and is an independent agency created by the legislature. The agency oversees the state’s Building PA, Business in Our Sites, PennWorks, New PA Venture, Capitol Investment, New Pennsylvania Venture Guarantee, Tax Increment Financing Guarantee and Second Stage Loan programs. These programs are aimed at using targeted state investments for economic development in all regions of the state.

To find out more about CFA programs, visit www.newpa.com.