West Central PA News

HARRISBURG - Indiana County communities will receive over $200,000 in funding from the impact fee on unconventional natural gas wells, according to Sen. Joe Pittman and Rep. Jim Struzzi. The funding was approved at the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) meeting on January 16, 2024.

The Indiana County Conservation District will receive a grant of $60,550 for the Canopy Walk Development Project. The project is a collaboration between the District and the Indiana County Technology Center, where students enrolled in the carpentry program will help build portions of the trail. Douglas Beri Jr., the Executive Director of the Indiana Conservation District, expressed his gratitude for the funding, stating, "This funding is critical to the completion of our project and will be used to match an existing $90,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The canopy walk portion of the project will make this the first and only canopy walk in Western Pennsylvania."

White Township will also receive a grant of $140,850 for the community amphitheater. Rep. Jim Struzzi expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, saying, "These funds will help White Township with the community amphitheater and will also grow the educational opportunities and experiences offered by the conservation district while enhancing the overall site that houses the district, Westmoreland Community College, and the Indiana County Technology Center. I am happy to support these investments within our region."

Sen. Joe Pittman highlighted the positive impact of the impact fee on natural gas, stating, "For more than a decade now, the revenues from the impact fee on natural gas have helped not just areas in which the gas is collected, but all of Pennsylvania." He also expressed his satisfaction in advocating for state funding for these projects.

The disbursements were based on a formula established in Act 13 of 2012 to ensure that communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding. These funds, authorized by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through various state programs, are used for projects such as road and bridge repairs, housing, and other infrastructure needs.

The grants provided to Indiana County communities will not only enhance local amenities but also provide educational opportunities for students. The collaboration between the conservation district and the Indiana County Technology Center demonstrates the importance of hands-on learning experiences for students.

The impact fee on unconventional natural gas wells continues to support communities across Pennsylvania, and the recent funding awarded to Indiana County is a testament to the positive impact of this program.

Media Contacts:

- Kate Eckhart Flessner (Sen. Pittman)

- Scott Little (Rep. Struzzi)