Marcellus Shale funds to help pay for exterior work
By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times
A $250,000 grant, funded by Marcellus Shale income, will help pay for paving and other projects at Pocopson’s Barnard House, township officials said.
POCOPSON — Sometimes it’s better to receive than to give – especially when it comes to saving taxpayer money. Such was the case at a recent Township Supervisors’ meeting when officials announced the receipt of a $250,000 grant to assist with renovations of the historic Barnard House property — slated to eventually become the new municipal building for the township.
Supervisors’ Vice Chair, Georgia Brutscher said the money is coming from the state’s Marcellus Legacy Fund which is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Office, Gov. Tom Corbett said, “We established the programs to ensure a portion of the funds collected through the Marcellus Shale impact fee goes back to local communities to support environmental enhancement and conservation programs.”
The first round of funding, according to Corbett, will provide more than $16 million to support 116 greenways, trails and recreation projects throughout Pennsylvania.
Brutscher said the funds will be used to improve the greenway surrounding the historic structure including construction of a circular driveway, parking lot and handicapped bathroom facilities for the site.
