Shenandoah, Girardville receive community improvement grants

Submitted Press Release

DAVID LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - Downtown Shenandoah on May 18, 2017. Downtown Shenandoah Inc. was awarded a $17,500 grant to plan a business innovation center in the borough.

HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN COUNTY — Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Representative Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) announced a total of five grants today that will support community improvement projects in Girardville, Saint Clair, Pottsville, Minersville and Shenandoah. 

Minersville will receive $100,000 to assist in the construction of the Legion Memorial Park and Shenandoah will receive $17,500 for the planning of a business innovation center in the borough. The grants were awarded as part of the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Keystone Communities program

Pottsville and Saint Clair will each receive a $500,000 grant. Girardville will receive a $361,195 grant, which is in addition to a $500,000 award the borough applied for previously. All three grants were awarded as part of DCED’s HOME program.

“All of these projects were subject to competition from communities all across the state,” Argall said. “We are thrilled to see the hard work of many individuals pay off and be recognized by the state to help with a new park in Minersville, a future place for entrepreneurs to utilize in Shenandoah, and new housing options for residents in Girardville, Saint Clair and Pottsville.”

“As a former Mahanoy City councilman, I know how difficult it is to find money in municipal budgets for projects such as these,” Goodman said. “Senator Argall and I are extremely pleased that the state is providing financial assistance to these worthy projects that will move Schuylkill County forward. We congratulate everyone involved in these projects and look forward to seeing the fruit of their labor.”

The American Legion building in Minersville will be the first blighted property to come down in Schuylkill County thanks to a state investment to assist the county in demolishing blighted properties. Once the property comes down, the $100,000 grant from the state will pay for a new park for local residents to enjoy. The park will feature a weekly farmer’s market and will play host to recreational activities for residents and visitors alike.

“‘Outstanding’ was my first reaction to notification that the borough had been awarded this grant toward the development of a park in recognition of Legion members and veterans living and deceased,” Borough Manager Robert Mahalchick said. “Minersville Borough Council, residents of the borough and I would like to thank both Sen. Argall and Rep. Goodman for their partnership and tireless efforts in helping us revitalize our piece of Schuylkill County. We look forward to that continued partnership as we continue to strive to revitalize our small communities.”

Downtown Shenandoah Inc. was awarded the grant to assist the business innovation center, which will allow for business startups to have office and meeting space, a mailing address and a place to collaborate with others.  Argall and Goodman believe the project will not have only a profound impact on the local community, but will have a broader reach in the region as a whole.

“We are very excited and happy to receive the Planning Grant,” Downtown Shenandoah Inc. Executive Director Mary Luscavage said. “It will help insure that the Innovation Center will be a success. Downtown Shenandoah would like to thank Senator Argall and Representative Goodman for all their help and their help in the future with our project.  The Innovation Center will help keep our youth home and help anyone who wants to start their own business succeed.”

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