Rendell vows to back area projects
Pennsylvania’s new governor Ed Rendell made an impression on Fayette County political and economic leaders by promising support for worthwhile local projects.
Meeting this week in Pittsburgh for a Southwestern Pennsylvania Development Summit, Rendell reviewed things he thinks are important to economic development as well as heard concerns from local leaders. Rendell is committed to supporting projects that are worthwhile. But he is not interested in putting money into “pet programs’ that will not result in job or economic development, Fayette County Commissioner Sean Cavanagh said.
“He commented on four key things (that would benefit Fayette County) in front of all the representatives from the other counties. They were the airport expansion project, the Mon-Fayette Expressway, revitalizing downtown Uniontown and using the State Theatre as a key to that development.
“His main premise is a growth agenda,’ Cavanagh said.
“Especially with capital projects. He talked about how he is going to do that with bond financing. He also talked about creating a $250 million revolving loan fund,’ Cavanagh said.
But Rendell, facing a possible $2 billion deficit, may initially be limited in what he can reasonably do.
Cavanagh said he suggested to Rendell that since Fayette County has its own bond money that it could be merged with state funds to help create jobs.
“He talked about giving out low interest loans or grants, but I said that not everyone wants a handout.’
He said two major transportation projects Rendell discussed were the expressway and the mag-lev train project.
However, he will “have to find a way to pay for them,’ Cavanagh said, “along with the possible $2 billion deficit the state may incur.’
“Fayette County’s voice was heard,’ said Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites.
“There were about eight different topics discussed and the focus was on all aspects economic development that interrelates to bringing jobs to this region,’ he said.
In addition, Vicites said, Rendell “shared his economic stimulus program with us. It means investing in growth and upping the capital budget fund by $500 million.
“I pointed out to him that we already have $1 million to use for our business park and that if we could get another million from the state, that would go a long way to help us make the infrastructure improvements we need to do.
“A couple of years ago we got $2 million from then Gov. Ridge and that was used to work on the University Technology Park. What he knows is the same thing we know: If you can have a site ready to go you are ready to get companies here,’ Vicites said.
“Another topic important to me is the completion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. I especially asked him if he could contact West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise on the Mason Dixon Link to see if he could support getting federal funds to complete it.
“They need $40 million of federal funds but they already have the $11 million in matching funds. It would take them only two years to finish it. Once that link is completed it would open Fayette County up to millions and millions of dollars in private investment and growth. That’s the gateway to the south for us.’
But Vicites made it clear Fayette County is not just “asking for money from the state. We have money to put into it and with some state money it will just make a project that much more doable.’
Vicites is “very encouraged about his approach to economic development. I think we have a good partner in Harrisburg. He understands investing in growth and I think he has a good understanding of what needs to be done here. I think we have to work with him to get these things accomplished,’ Vicites said.
Rendell’s approach on the state level, Vicites said, “mirrors what we have done locally. He even wants to revitalize downtown Uniontown, calling the State Theatre the jewel in that project. He actually mentioned Uniontown and said he’d like to use it as an example in how to revitalize other downtown areas.’
Mike Krajovic, president of the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, said he was also impressed with Rendell.
“I was asked to present to the governor the education and workforce development needs for southwestern Pennsylvania,’ said Krajovic. “The governor was very knowledgeable about all the subjects, from taxes to transportation, from economic development to education. He deserves a lot of credit for his open approach to discussing the issues and for his willingness to help.’
Cavanagh and Krajovic were both favorably impressed with Rendell’s ability to recall projects, not just from Fayette, but from all over the state.
“The governor would like to increase capital expenditures throughout the Commonwealth. The current borrowing capacity in Pennsylvania far exceeds nearby states’ so there is a credible amount of unused capacity that could be put toward worthwhile projects that would create jobs or have a significant economic impact,’ Krajovic said.
“Southwestern Pennsylvania will be working as a team and Fayette County will be part of that team in developing priority projects. On the capital investment side, we are looking at the airport, downtown Uniontown, additional funding for the Route 40 business park and transportation,’ he said.
Rendell said transportation is “key to any company expansion and he sees this as a very valuable project for southwestern Pennsylvania,’ Krajovic said.
“I feel very confident that Fayette being Democratic and he is a Democratic governor, that he, along with (U.S. Rep. John) Murtha, are going to be tremendous assets to Fayette County,’ Cavanagh said.
“The big role that has expanded from the commissioners’ standpoint is we are lobbying hard to bring worthwhile projects to Fayette County. You can call it bringing home the bacon if you like. He is definitely in favor of funding projects that are worthwhile but does not want to throw money at pet projects but money into things that will create jobs and improve the state’s investment. The big topic was that Pennsylvania was 48th in economic development. To change that we have to make some drastic changes,’ Cavanagh added.
Eight priority projects were identified and also discussed. They include improving infrastructure, encouraging regional cooperation to enhance education and workforce development, improving the transportation infrastructure, investing in growth industries, streamlining government to induce economic development, improving the tax structure, sustaining quality health care by improving service delivery and spurring development by addressing “smart growth’ and quality of life issues.
Rendell asked business leaders and government officials to develop a list of major economic development projects in the next 90 days. That’s when Rendell will ask lawmaThis winter’s cold weather, coupled by a rash of fires throughout the county, has officials with the local office of the American Red Cross scrambling to meet the community’s needs on a dwindling budget makers to approve $500 million in extra capital redevelopment bond money, to be matched with local funds.
Others representing Fayette County who attended the summit included state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar), former Fayette County Commissioner Fred Lebder, state Rep. Larry Roberts (D-South Union Twp.) and Robert Junk, Fayette Enterprise Community manager.