FEC looks to set agenda for projects in 2003
REDSTONE TWP. – Community members expressed interest in water and sewerage improvements, zoning enforcement and recreation during a meeting to help determine the 2003 goals for the Fayette Enterprise Community (FEC). Redstone Township is one of five areas of Fayette County included in the 84-square-mile FEC.
The FEC includes Redstone and Menallen townships, portions of Uniontown and Connellsville and part of Dunbar Township.
It also includes three development sites: the Connellsville Airport, the county-owned property along Route 40 and an industrial park site in Springhill Township.
The FEC was created through the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January 1999 because of the county’s high poverty and welfare rates and distressed conditions. It is administered locally by the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council. The FEC Implementation Committee, made up of representatives from each of the municipalities involved in the FEC, develops benchmarks, or goals to improve the quality of life in the region, and specific tasks to accomplish those goals.
“Under this system, we also track all the money that comes in for a project,” said Robert Junk, the FEC/strategic planning manager for Fay-Penn.
Over the past few years since the FEC was formed, Redstone Township has received grants for the Redstone Park project and repairs to the historic Filbert School totaling $71,000. The township received an additional $50,000 in 1999 to develop the FGA Building in Republic as a business incubator and benefited from a $66,000 grant given to the FEC for automatic external defibrillators for the police and fire departments.
The Fayette FEC automatic external defibrillator program has been touted as one of the best enterprise practices in an FEC nationwide, Junk said. It has also saved several lives. Redstone Township Supervisor Ray Paris said the Smock Volunteer Fire Department used the AED on a man, helping him survive a heart attack that otherwise could have been fatal.
“We’ve done well here at the township to bring in funding and to develop the 42 acres we have at the park,” Paris said.
The new park, adjacent to Redstone Field on Route 166, features two new pavilions and new playground equipment will be installed in the spring. There are future plans for walking trails and other recreation features.
Junk said there are currently 98 benchmarks identified by the implementation committee, though not all of them are currently actively being pursued. Three new benchmarks were approved by the committee this year, including developing a viable Brownsville General Hospital. Some of the tasks associated with that goal include recruiting physicians to meet area health needs, increasing the size of the psychiatric unit to 23 beds, developing a sexual assault response team, developing a transportation program for patients and developing a wound care center.
Junk asked for input on objectives to be considered by the implementation committee in 2003. Only a handful of residents attended the session.
Dave Batovsky suggested a need for attracting businesses to the region that are able to pay a living wage.
“We’re creating a society of working poor around here. The business parks aren’t paying good money. We have to get viable businesses that are going to get people a living wage,” Batovsky said.
Junk noted that in order for that to happen, there has to be a demand for the workforce in the community. At present in Fayette County, there are more potential employees than there are jobs.
Jim Meese raised the issue of proper zoning designations and enforcement. Junk said that while the FEC board can’t change zoning in the county, it can suggest changes to the current regulations.
“We can bring things to their attention,” Junk said.
Bill Jackson suggested infrastructure improvements need to be considered.
“If we want to grow the township. Sewage is about the most important thing that we could do,” Jackson said.
Junk said the issue of poverty raised by Batovsky is the big picture trying to be addressed by the FEC.
“Sometimes you have to deal with these other issues to improve that,” Junk said. “Two out of three children in Fayette County live in poverty. I have a hard time accepting that as what I want to see in our community.”
Junk noted there are several incentive programs available to employers who either locate within the FEC or which hire people who live within the FEC. More information about the incentive programs is available through Fay-Penn at 724-437-7913.