Gaming Funds to Promote Community, Economic Development in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The development of three aircraft hangers, an environmental study to demolish a dilapidated building and other redevelopment projects expected to create hundreds of new jobs will get a boost from gaming fund revenues awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).

"The approved projects will improve public safety and have a positive impact on community and economic development in Allegheny County," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. "The gaming fund revenues will provide important infrastructure improvements to the area, which in turn, will add capacity for future economic development."

Five projects in Allegheny County will each receive $500,000 under the CFA's action. The $2.5 million in total funding comes from the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Program (GEDTF), which was established to fund community and economic development projects in Allegheny County, through revenues from the Pittsburgh – The Rivers Casino. 

GEDTF program provides grants for single-year and multi-year projects that promote community and economic development in Allegheny County, including: economic and infrastructure development, job training, community improvement, public safety, public interest and costs to administer GEDTF funds.  

For more information about the CFA, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Media contact: Theresa Elliott, 717-783-1132

Editor's Note: The approved projects are listed below:

Allegheny County Airport Authority was awarded a $500,000 grant to make infrastructure improvements to the north side of the Pittsburgh International Airport in Moon Township. The $1.6 million project will accommodate the development of three 48,000-square-foot aircraft hangers and one 50,000-square-foot, single-story office building. The funds will be used to remove the former building foundations, to relocate and expand storm and sanitary sewer lines, and construct roads and sidewalks.  Once completed, the project is expected to generate $24 million in additional private capital investment, 200 permanent jobs, 190 construction jobs and $22 million in annual economic activity.   

The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County was awarded a $500,000 grant to replace a parking lot for the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, adjacent to the new Schenley Place building in the City of Pittsburgh. The $30 million project will construct a seven-story Class A office building in Oakland. The funds, which will be loaned to the Elmhurst Group, will be used to construct needed underground parking for Schenley Place and provide access for serving, loading and the garage.     

The Landmarks Development Corporation was awarded a $500,000 grant for environmental remediation costs for Phase 1 of the Penn and Center Development Project in Wilkinsburg. The project will complete the environmental remediation necessary to demolish the six-story, former Penn Lincoln apartments and hotel building located at the center of the Borough of Wilkinsburg's business district.  The building has been vacant for 15 years and poses a serious environmental and safety hazard for all pedestrians and passersby. 

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh was awarded a $500,000 grant for infrastructure improvements for the Gardens at Market Square development project in the City of Pittsburgh. The project will construct a new 17-story, mixed-use, LEED-certified office building that will continue to revitalize the Market Square corridor. The funds will be used for infrastructure improvements and engineering and architecture services. The total project cost is $72.6 million, and is expected to create 230 construction jobs, generate $2.1 million in one-time tax revenue, and provide $4.3 million annually in local and state tax revenues once completed. 

The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County was awarded a $500,000 grant for infrastructure costs for Eastern Phase II of the Carrie Furnace redevelopment project in Rankin. The $2.5 million project will include the construction of a sanitary sewer line, excavation of a drainage swale, and site tie-in to a previously constructed storm water line.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development