Brownsville’s Water Street project awarded $500,000
A Brownsville redevelopment project to eliminate blight along Water Street has received a $500,000 boost.
Fay-Penn Economic Development Council will use federal funding, announced last week by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, for the Water Street Redevelopment Project, which also includes creating green space and redeveloping existing buildings.
Laura Kuhns, Fay-Penn executive director, said the money was requested a year ago. Fay-Penn has partnered with Team Humanity and the organization’s Verticals Makerspace and Entrepreneurship Center in Brownsville.
Will James, founder of Team Humanity and Verticals Makerspace, said the funding will enable the group to build on what it has created through its youth and community programs, and to turn what was once a blighted area into a community asset.
While not revealing details, James said the project will reflect efforts made with Team Humanity and Verticals Makerspace to provide underserved communities access to top-of-the-line educational equipment, instruction and experiences in a creative and stimulating environment.
“I got here in mid-2013 and started our activities with Team Humanity, and I said our greatest resources are no longer in the coal mines, but are in the minds of our youth,” James said. “We’re creating spaces so our youth can ride alongside, if not ahead, of the global competition.”
Reschenthaler announced the community project funding, secured through the passage of H.R. 4366, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, after President Joe Biden signed the legislation March 9.
“I’m proud to announce that my efforts have secured $61 million in community project funding for Southwestern Pennsylvania through our appropriations process,” Reschenthaler said. “This funding will support workforce development programs, library improvements, law enforcement and fire department funding, locks and dams funding, sewer and waterline infrastructure, and economic development.”
Also in Fayette County, $1.5 million was awarded to Markleysburg for its Water Storage Tank and Pump Station Construction Project. Details on that project were not available.
James said he is grateful to Reschenthaler for seeing the momentum that Team Humanity and Verticals Makerspace has made as well as the organization’s vision going forward.
He also praised efforts of Kuhns and Fay-Penn and Fayette County Commissioner Scott Dunn on the project.
“We are pleased that Congressman Reschenthaler was able to include this funding in the FY 24 appropriations bill, and we appreciate his support in enhancing Brownsville’s redevelopment,” Dunn said. “To know the good work Will is doing with our youth and to support it further will pay big dividends for the Brownsville community.”
The Brownsville project includes both public and private funding sources, and the start date and additional details will be announced at a later date.