HARRISBURG, Pa. – Projects in Mercer and Lawrence counties received $7.65 million in funding from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, news releases issued Thursday reported.
The funding totaled nearly $446 million in investments supporting 356 projects through RACP that will create jobs, strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy and deliver “real results” for its communities, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
Nearly half of those funds – $3 million – were awarded to Penn-Northwest Development Corp. to assist with upgrades to Sharon Regional Health System, which is operated by Tenor Healthcare Foundation LLC.
The funds will be combined with the previously awarded $2 million that will be used for a boiler, heating/ventilation/air conditioning system, hospital chilling system, cardiac catheterization lab, nurse and patient call system, fire panel system upgrades and other upgrades, according to a release from state Sen. Michele Brooks, R-50th. The total project cost is $11.9 million.
“Sharon Regional Health System is one of the largest employers in the city of Sharon and Mercer County, employing over 550 individuals,” Brooks said. “This is one of the first closed hospitals to reopen in Pennsylvania, and the families of Mercer County deserve access to health care here at home instead of having to travel. When minutes matter, it is my hope that residents will always have nearby access to the care they need.”
Another $1.5 million was awarded to renovate and modernize the former International Metals facility in Ellwood City. The improvements will include major infrastructure upgrades, equipment modernization and redevelopment for advanced materials and clean-energy recycling operations.
A $1 million RACP grant was awarded to Mercer County for rehabilitation of the Citizens Bank Building in the borough of Mercer. Planned upgrades will include an elevator installation, making restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reconfiguring office space, exterior drainage, roof replacement, masonry and concrete repairs.
Omega Logging Inc. was awarded $800,000 through RACP to support the company’s redevelopment of the former Sawhill Tubular manufacturing site in Hermitage.
The project calls for a comprehensive conversion of the former steel mill property, including retrofitting the existing superstructure, constructing new office space and upgrading equipment.
“Transforming this former manufacturing property will allow a successful local company to expand its operations while returning an important industrial site to productive use,” state Rep. Parke Wentling, R-7th, said in a news release.
Founded in 1976, Omega Logging’s affiliated Omega Lumber operations manufacture industrial lumber, pallet stock and specialty wood products and provide sustainable forestry and logging services. The company manages more than 5,000 acres of timberland and has multiple facilities in western Pennsylvania.
The funding will assist with construction of all new, sitewide perimeter fencing and the installation of updated signage throughout the site. In addition, the project will expand the lumber yard to increase storage capacity.
“I’m really excited about the good this can do,” said Patrick Chovan, president of Omega Logging.
Lawrence County Economic Development Corp. was awarded $750,000 for the Measel-Bruce Inc. AMG Titanium Expansion project in Neshannock Township.
Funds will be used to acquire two vacant parcels plus a two-acre parcel with an existing building that will be combined into one to provide an additional 60,000-square-foot advanced technology production facility, integrating with AMG’s existing 50,000-square-foot facility adjacent to this project. Additionally, a 17,000-square-foot corporate office headquarters will be constructed. The total project cost is $15.7 million.
“With a 10-year backlog of new aircraft orders, AMG needs to increase capacity and proposes to expand in separate buildings, tripling output,” Brooks said in a joint news release with state Rep. Marla Brown, R-9th. “The project will create at least 50 new family-sustaining jobs, while also boosting the U.S. aerospace manufacturing sector. I will continue to collaborate with area businesses and local governments to strengthen our local economy.”
“When local manufacturers invest in expanding their operations, it benefits our entire region through job creation, economic growth and increased opportunities for future generations,” Brown said. “I’m pleased this funding will help Measel-Bruce continue to grow in Lawrence County and reinforce our area’s reputation as a great place to do business.”
Thiel College in Greenville and Quality Bridge & Fab Inc. in Shenango Township each were awarded $300,000.
The funds for Quality Bridge will be used for site development, additional site work for future plant expansion and stormwater controls.
“Quality Bridge & Fab Inc. is a family owned and operated local business since 2012 that manufactures steel bridge structures, bridge railings, expansion joints, guide rail components, steel signposts and other sign mounting components for the highway industry,” Brooks said. “I want to thank this company for their significant investment in this project that will allow them to remain located right here in Mercer County and be in a position to expand their business and add good paying jobs to our local economy.”
Thiel College will use its $300,000 for construction of a new $10 million wellness facility for students, employees and the community.
The facility will include multiuse courts, an indoor walking track, counseling rooms, a yoga and wellness studio, multiple locker rooms, meeting spaces and hospitality areas.
“Thiel College continues to be an integral part of the northern Mercer County community and has been passionate about helping their students and the entire community by fostering lifelong growth, learning, health and relationships. I’m excited that this wellness facility will be open to not just students and faculty, but also local residents,” Brooks said. “I appreciate the opportunity to secure this assistance for a project that will help our community grow and for a school who has done so much for our region.”
In an emailed statement, Rod Wilt, executive director of Penn-Northwest, said he was pleased to see the commonwealth’s support for the Mercer County projects.
“PNDC looks forward to working with the grant recipients to move the projects forward to a successful conclusion,” he said.
“Pennsylvania is open for business, and we will continue working with the private sector, nonprofits and organized labor to make our commonwealth a leader in economic development, job creation and innovation,” Shapiro said.