Johnstown Redevelopment Authority Receives $900,000 in Federal ‘Stimulus’ Funds
JOHNSTOWN, PA – August 18, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $900,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority for local brownfield cleanup activities.
“The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority has had much success with turning problem properties into productive space for residential and commercial use,” commented Murtha. “I applaud their efforts, and this funding is yet another example of federal stimulus funds being put to good use here in Johnstown.”
“We are happy that the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority was selected to receive Stimulus funds through the EPA for our efforts in cleaning up abandoned properties,” said Ron Repak, Executive Director of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority. “Working with Congressman Murtha’s office, our agency looks forward to continuing our successful Brownfield Program throughout Cambria County, reusing industrial sites, and putting people back to work.”
Potential clean-up sites include:
• Sites adjacent to the Lower Ore Yard (near the Cambria Iron Works). An additional 15 acre tract of land needs to be cleaned-up to accommodate future economic growth.
• Babcock Lumber Facility in Ebensburg. This former lumber yard and railroad siding needs cleaned-up to be redeveloped by the Borough of Ebensburg (current owner).
• The Pallet Co., LLC. This abandoned industrial building in the City of Johnstown requires clean-up before it can be reopened for manufacturing and reuse.
• Old Bethlehem Mine Building in Jackson Township. This privately owned property needs to be cleaned-up in order to accommodate a proposed new residential subdivision.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed by Congress in February of this year. The Act provided $100 million for competitive grants for evaluation and cleanup of former industrial and commercial sites.
