Pittman, Struzzi, Announce $9.1 Million in RACP Grants Awarded in Indiana County
On November 1, 2024, Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-62) announced Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants totaling $9,100,000 awarded across four projects in Indiana County. The Indiana County Commissioners will serve as Grantee and the Indiana County Office of Planning & Development will locally administer these projects in collaboration with the named grant recipient.
Homer City Redevelopment, LLC in Center Township is receiving $5,000,000 for the proposed Pipeline Improvement Project. This multiphase project will consist of design, engineering, permitting, and construction of the natural gas pipeline infrastructure. The Generating Station is located within five miles of the Texas Eastern gas pipeline system, which consists of three lines running east-west between Blairsville and Black Lick, PA. The proposed route will start from the Texas Eastern at the Delmont-Armagh pipeline segment in Blairsville, PA to traverse north to the former Homer City Generating Station.
Indiana County Commissioners are being awarded $1,750,000 for design, bidding, permitting, and construction activities to renovate and redevelop the Old Indiana County Courthouse, the Old Sheriff’s House and Jail Buildings, along with the 600 Philadelphia Street building, where a Welcome Center will be established in the downtown to enhance the community’s delivery of business services and visitor information, including tourism. The Indiana County Tourist Bureau, the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Indiana, a Non-Profit Organization will serve as anchor tenants.
YMCA of Indiana County in White Township is being awarded $1,750,000 for bringing areas within the building up to ADA compliance, construction of new wellness center, renovation of old wellness spaces to allow for group exercise and classes, community space, teen space, kitchen space both for feeding at risk youth outside of school hours and for teaching. The project will also allow for well needed major maintenance, infrastructure, and utilities repair and improvements.
Platinum Visual Solutions (previously Platinum Visual Systems) in Green Township is receiving $600,000 for a project to facilitate the restoration, rehabilitation, and renovation of various interior and exterior improvements of the Dixonville facility. These changes include but are not limited to the roof, structural, ADA restrooms, HVAC, electrical, demolition, construction, floors, driveways and parking areas, architectural, engineering, and acquisition.
“Investing in these projects is about helping our communities have the resources they need to thrive,” Pittman said. “The funding awarded today will open new opportunities and expand upon previous initiatives throughout our region to increase economic and community development projects. The ongoing redevelopment and repowering of the Homer City Plant site is tremendously positive for future growth, as we continue our work to increase access to local, maximum wage, family sustaining jobs.”
“The $9.1 million in RACP funding coming to the 62nd House District will help redevelop downtown Indiana, construct new natural gas infrastructure and revitalize the YMCA of Indiana County,” shared Struzzi. “These projects will help the economy and boost accessibility to services, and I am excited to share them with our community.”
- The RACP grant program is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act. They must have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs and have at least secured 50% non-state financial participation.