HARRISBURG, Pa. — More than $550,000.00 in state grant money will benefit two projects in Clarion County, said Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Clarion/Venango/Butler).
“Both of these state grants will have a beneficial impact on the overall quality of life here in Clarion County,” Oberlander said. “This funding is awarded on a competitive basis, so I am pleased that two projects within Clarion County were awarded funding today.”
Specifically, a grant of $220,103.00 to the Clarion Conservation District will be used to plug seven abandoned natural gas wells in Farmington Township. Many of the wells exhibit methane gas at the surface and are located close to residences and highways. Plugging these wells will result in an overall improvement in the quality of life for citizens of the township.
The second grant, in the amount of $350,000.00, will be awarded to Scenic Rivers YMCA of Oil City to construct a connection road to the new Clarion County YMCA facility in Monroe Township. The road will be constructed along Mayfield and Holiday Inn roads to handle the increase in traffic once the new YMCA is completed. The state grant is providing about a third of the overall project cost.
The Clarion Conservation District grant is part of the Act 13 impact fee on natural gas wells, and the YMCA grant is from Act 89. Funding for both grants is distributed by the Commonwealth Financing Agency (CFA) within the Department of Community and Economic Development.
“I’d like to thank both organizations for applying for these grants and for their hard work,” Oberlander added.
“Clarion County is very deserving of these projects, and I am pleased that the state will be able to assist in making these projects a reality.”
“In different ways, these two projects will have positive impacts on the health of Clarion County residents for generations to come,” Hutchinson said. “The lion’s share of this progress is thanks to the resources and tireless efforts of many local individuals, businesses and organizations, and I am glad that this funding is available to help them fill the gaps.”
