More Legacy Fund Dollars Allocated to Nonprofits

by Jonathan Weaver

In just two weeks, county commissioners have given away more than $12,000 to local nonprofits.

Thursday, commissioners authorized another $7,500 in Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund money to be given out, Director of Administration Jennifer Long explained.

“We gave $2,000 to the (Allegheny) River Development Corporation, $5,000 to the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center (by way of the Armstrong Educational Trust) and $250 each to the Redbank Valley Trails Association and the Armstrong Rails to Trails Association

Commissioner Chair Pat Fabian said the donations directly coincide with Thursday’s ‘Day of Giving’ for local non-profits, using the trails associations as an example that hopefully the nonprofit proceeds will double.

“Instead of giving (the trails associations) $500, we gave them $250 in hopes that maybe somebody will match $250. We wanted to give them $500, but by giving them $250 on the ‘Day of Giving,’ that much can be doubled

Commissioners also gave the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center $5,000 prior to last year’s ‘Day of Giving.’

“We knew that they would be asking for money, and the timing was good to do it now,” Long said. “Since we were giving it to them, we went down through (the nonprofit list) and said ‘We might give to this group, so let’s just give it to them now.’”

The Environmental Learning Center raised more than $8,000 during the May 2015 ‘Day of Giving’ and the Allegheny River Development Corporation shy of $1,700.

All qualifying donations – written to the participating nonprofit residents would like to benefit – must be received on or postmarked on May 12.

Donations can be delivered or mailed to NexTier Bank at 222 Market Street in Kittanning.

Commissioner Fabian encouraged residents to make further donations specifically during ‘Day of Giving.’

Last month, commissioners unanimously approved to give a total of $5,000 to two nonprofits - $2,500 to Armstrong Habitat for Humanity and $2,500 to the Redbank Valley Municipal Park Commission.

According to the request sent by Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Michael McElhaney last week, funding will support two programs within the Wick City Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.

Habitat for Humanity is focused on rehabilitating foreclosed or abandoned properties in Kittanning as well as providing critical repair assistance – such as roof repairs, handicap ramp installation and exterior painting – to local homeowners through the Brush with Kindness program.

According to Redbank Valley Municipal Park Commission President Ray Ishman, monies will be used to replace antiquated water and sewage lines along Park Road in Fairmont City.

Clarion County Commissioners have given $12,500 toward the project.

Last month, Long explained that commissioners receive about $65,000 annually through the Public Utility Commission based on Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact fees.

According to the state website, Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.

Funding is expected to come during the beginning of the fiscal year, in July.

Commissioners are always seeking proposals from local nonprofit agencies in order to distribute funds, and are considering a bidding process for the future.

1 Comment

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  By bucketlist, May 9, 2016 @ 5:47 PM

  Again, I ask, why did our county Commissioners give money to a town in Clarion County that was ear marked for the citizens of Armstrong County? Did I miss Clarion County Commissioners give money to an Armstrong County town?

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