Innovation center gets $1M grant; northern Schuylkill communities receive combined $2M
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A banner for the planned innovation center on Main Street adorns the fence of its future site on March 15, 2023. Shenandoah planners approved the final land development plan for the lot Wednesday.
SHENANDOAH – The planned innovation center downtown received another sizable financial boost, state legislators announced Thursday.
The Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. project, the Center for Education, Business, and the Arts, received $1 Million from the Local Share Account Statewide Program. Funds from that program come from revenues received from casinos and other gambling venues across the state.
The center in the 100 block of North Main Street will include a commercial kitchen, event center with catering kitchen, Penn State classroom, DSI offices, co-working maker and office spaces, according to its website.
Girardville is also receiving $47,980 from the same program to upgrade the heating system at the municipal building.
Also announced today were grants from the Multimodal Transportation Fund for projects in Ashland, West Mahanoy Township, and Barry Township
Ashland will receive $221,113 to construct extended curbs for the intersection of Centre and Ninth Street, and Barry Township will receive $400,000 to replace the bridge on Hill Road over Deep Creek.
I-81 Logistics, LLC is also receiving $250,000 to make road improvements on Route 61 in West Mahanoy Township, near Frackville.
“These projects will improve the quality of life for people across Schuylkill County,” said State Senator David G. Argall (R-29). “From fixing our roads and bridges, to supporting Shenandoah’s longstanding efforts to breathe new life into its downtown, to improving the operations of local governments, these grants will be very important for so many residents of the 29th district.”
“Sen. Argall was happy to advocate and work together with me to secure approval of the grant applications for these projects,” said State Rep. Joanne Stehr (R-107). “These grants play a key role in helping to provide the necessary resources to maintain functional systems and services for our communities and their residents. I am ecstatic we have received this important and crucial funding.”
“I am proud to continuously work hard alongside Sen. Argall to secure funding for projects that will revitalize and prosper our communities,” said State Rep Tim Twardzik (R-123). “As a Schuylkill County native, it brings me great joy to see important funding granted to projects in our beloved areas that we call home and that better serve our people.”
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