Sep 26, 2008 5 min read

The grants, which were announced during a press conference on Sept. 11, were secured through the efforts of state Sen. J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, and state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg. The commissioners’ office said the county would have to increase taxes by 1 mill to generate the same amount of funding necessary to complete the projects.

Stout praised Ann Bargerstock of the Greene County Office of Planning and Development for her successes in grant writing.

“If she didn’t fill out the applications to get them to us to process then we wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“She does a tremendous job at dotting all of her I’s and crossing all of her T’s.”

Among the projects that the funds are earmarked for are storm-water management, upgrading of facilities at the Greene County Fairgrounds and security measures for the Greene County Courthouse.

Gene Lee, county chief clerk, said that it is very costly trying to deal with the storm-water management issues that have plagued the county over the years.

“We have a challenge ahead,” he said.

“Trying to deal with the environmental issues of storm water is very important to Greene County. Every amount of money that we can get is a help.”

Harry Gillespie, warden of the Greene County Prison, said he was pleased that one of the grants, in the amount of $100,000, is for the updating of the prison lock system.

“The locks are 28 years old. They were put in when it was first built and we can’t get parts for them any longer. They are really antiquated,” said Gillespie. “Now we have a state-of-the-art touch screen locking system.”

The overall cost of the replacement was $110,000.

“It really makes it a more safe and secure place. It is a big plus for us,” said Gillespie.

DeWeese said that he felt that a cost of $10,000, as opposed to the full $110,000, was not a bad deal for the county.

“The senator and I are glad to be able to assist in finding the monetary support for projects such as these,” DeWeese said.

Each legislator said they are in a unique position to continue to help fund projects that will upgrade infrastructure and bring with it new business opportunities.

“It is a real fact of life that Greene County is a major part of the 50th Legislative District. Out of 67 counties, to have the leadership here in the southwestern corner that can bring in this type of support has not been seen for the last 50 years and may not be seen for another 50,” Stout said.

“It is Bill’s and my goal to continue to improve the quality of life here in Greene County.”

Stout spoke about the pride that he has seen in residents living in the county and the sadness when someone born and raised in Greene County must go elsewhere to find a higher standard of living.

“We want for those who are raised and educated here to have the opportunity to have the type of quality of life to stay here,” Stout said. “We need the next generation to be here.”

Grant money also will be used to fund a feasibility study and move of the Greene ARC recycling facility.

The recycling facility’s current location has been selected as the appropriate place for the future United Mine Workers Training Facility.

The county commissioners in the past have touted it as an important goal for the county.

Bridge replacement, continuation of road projects and upgrades to recreational facilities at Wana B Park also were among the topics of discussion as each of the grants was presented to the appropriate representative.

“I relish this opportunity, along with Bill, to be able to assist in providing this support for the benefit of all of the 44,000 people of Greene County,” Stout said.

Commissioner Pam Snyder told Stout she and the other commissioners appreciated the help that enables the county to keep taxes from being raised.

“The projects that you two have helped us to fund have kept the taxes stable. We would have to go into the general fund otherwise, so we are very grateful that you are in the position to bring the funding for these projects,” she said.

Snyder said that she views Greene County as being in a very unique position.

“We have three seasoned legislators in [U.S. Rep.] Jack Murtha, Barry Stout and Bill DeWeese. We aren’t divided like other counties where they have more than one senator or representative going after the same funds for different reasons,” Snyder said. “All of our eggs are in one basket. We are not fighting against each other for the same pot of money.”

Jim Lovett, legislative research aide for DeWeese, said there are another 16 grants currently in process that total more than $910,000 for Greene County.

“Now don’t get me wrong, not all of those will be approved,” Lovett said. “However, since 1980 until today, we have been able to assist Greene County in securing over $140 million for projects.”

Lovett said that looking at the current market value of Greene County, the amount that was awarded Thursday was not a bad chunk.