The 19 projects will receive $588,896 in total funding.
Uniontown, PA - The Fayette County Board of Commissioners hosted a Local Share Account Award Ceremony for 2023-24 recipients Wednesday morning at the Gallatin Building in Uniontown.
Commissioners Scott Dunn, Vince Vicites and Dave Lohr selected the LSA grant recipients last fall, and those projects were submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for final approval. DCED will administer the funding for those projects through 2024.
Fayette County Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Andrew French served as master of ceremonies for the festivities.
“I think the LSA Program is critical to Fayette County because it represents another somewhat flexible resource to help our communities implement these impactful projects,” French said. “Clearly there is a need for funding because we’ve received millions of dollars of requests each year. Since it began in 2015, LSA has filled gaps that were created by the reduction of other funding sources.”
The event served as an additional way for the county to recognize the grantees who continue to do exemplary work in their communities. The projects honored included:
- Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative - Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.
- Fayette County Blind Association Equipment Upgrades – Fayette County Blind Association.
- New Salem Community Park Phase II Improvements – New Salem Neighborhood Watch.
- Multi-municipal Comprehensive & Economic Development Plan – Perry Township, Franklin & Jefferson townships.
- One Voice One Community At-Risk Youth OST Programming – One Voice One Community.
- Uniontown Area YMCA Facility HVAC Replacement – Uniontown Area YMCA.
- Connellsville ELKS Accessibility Project – Connellsville Elks Lodge 503.
- Connellsville Little League Improvement Project – Connellsville Little League.
- Albert Gallatin Baseball Scoreboard Project – Albert Gallatin High School Baseball Boosters.
- American Legion Post 423 Parking Improvements – American Legion Post 423.
- Brownfield Community Center HVAC Improvements – Brownfield Community Center.
- Perryopolis Athletic Field Renovations – Perryopolis Borough.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 747 Parking Improvements – VFW Post 747.
- Redstone Township Recreation Center Floor Renovations – Redstone Township.
- Fairbank Rod and Gun Club Recreational Building – Fairbank Rod and Gun Club.
- Saltlick Lads and Lasses Little League Renovations – Saltlick Township Lads and Lasses.
- Mill Run Recreation Field Improvements – Mill Run Recreation Field.
- Century Bridge Replacement – Brownsville Township.
- Washington Township Traffic Safety Improvements – Washington Township.
The commissioners’ 19 selected projects will receive $588,896 in total funding, which will be leveraged by more than $1.68 million from other funding sources secured by the project applicants, creating a total impact of more than $2.27 million countywide.
LSA funding is generated annually through the county’s share of gaming revenues derived from Nemacolin’s Lady Luck Casino in Wharton Township. Fayette County municipalities, redevelopment authorities, nonprofits and other community organizations are eligible to apply, and groups are encouraged to apply for multiple years.
Commissioner Vicites said the LSA Program is a “wonderful way for the commissioners to help as many communities as we can” throughout Fayette County.
“All of the classes of LSA funding recipients have been special. Each grant application has had a unique approach to community development with good ideas on how to improve their communities,” Vicites said. “The LSA program is beneficial to Fayette County, because it has invested more than $6 million back into our communities and helped make the county a better place to live.”
Commissioner Chairman Dunn said the LSA Program is an important part of Fayette County because our municipalities, nonprofits and authorities use it for “projects of community importance,” such as “parks, playgrounds, new water lines” and more.
“This reinvestment into our community helps make Fayette County a more attractive place to live and work. Many of our communities do not have the resources to fund projects that enhance their livability,” Dunn said. “The cities, boroughs and townships often provide their mandated services, their needs, through taxation. LSA is needed to fund the wants and wish lists; the extra things that truly can transform a community.”
Commissioner Dave Lohr said Fayette County is fortunate to have the LSA program to utilize for economic development, job training, community improvement and public interest projects.
Lohr is “mindful of my duty to be fiscally responsible” and strives to get the most “bang for the buck” out of every available funding source and every project funded.
“In reviewing proposals, it’s important to consider the best funding source for each project. When a project can be better funded under a different program, that frees up LSA monies for another project. That’s how we can stretch available funds for maximum impact,” Lohr said. “LSA grant recipients are right here at home, in your community, in the organizations serving your community. They’re receiving funding to complete projects that directly impact the community, and, ultimately, it’s the people of Fayette County, those who live and work here, who benefit.”
Since its inception, the Local Share Account Program has awarded more than $6.1 million to 165 applicants. For more information contact the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority at 724-437-1547 or visit www.racfpa.org.
To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.
Editor's Note: Photo attached (2023-24 LSA Grant Recipients)
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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.
For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 724-437-4571, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info or Kaylie Glaze, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.
