Commissioners vote to fund acquisitions for Sheepskin extension
The Fayette County Commissioners voted to continue development on the Sheepskin Trail as well as German Township Industrial Park.
During Thursday’s regular meeting, the commissioners unanimously voted to enter an agreement between the county and Keystone Acquisitions for the right-of-way of four properties along the proposed southern trail extension of the Sheepskin Trail.
Commissioner Scott Dunn said the four properties are along Nilan Road, which runs parallel with the Cheat River in Springhill Township and ends at the Lake Lynn Power Station in West Virginia at the border.
“Those will be the final four we need to clear,” Dunn said.
A Local Share Account (LSA) grant will cover the $24,976 cost of the right-of-way acquisitions.
The commissioners also unanimously approved Gibson Thomas Engineering to design a bridge over Nilan Road that will be a part of the Sheepskin Trail’s southern trail extension at a cost of $75,000, which also will be funded through an LSA grant.
“They’re working well with us,” Commissioner Vince Vicites said of the engineering firm. “They’re focused, they’re proactive and they’re doing what we need to get this trail.”
In other business, the commissioners unanimously voted to support 100 Ross Street Associates in its Business in Our Sites (BiOS) application to secure grant and loan funding to support the development of the German Township Industrial Park along Route 21.
BiOS is a state program designed to empower communities to attract growing and expanding businesses by helping them build an inventory of ready sites through site development and business as well as infrastructure, but it cannot be used for residential or recreational projects.
“It’s a really interesting grant/loan program,” said Commissioner Dave Lohr, who recommends businesses take advantage of the program. “It helps with the underground infrastructure with industrial parks.”
During Thursday’s meeting, the commissioners also announced two vacancies on the FACT Transportation Executive Committee. Letters of interest should be sent to Chief Clerk Amy Revak at arevak@fayettepa.org or mailed to 61 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa., 15401.