Published Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001
MERCER COUNTY
Incubator, courthouse, college and vocal hall enjoy lawmakers' largessBy Robert B. Swift
Ottaway News Service
Mercer County lawmakers this fall delivered more than $600,000 worth of legislative grants to assist several projects. The state Department of Community and Economic Development announced this week the distribution of $28 million worth of grants to aid community projects in lawmakers' districts.
The department reviews applications forwarded by lawmakers.
State Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, and state Reps. Rod Wilt, Sugar Grove Township, R-17th District and Michael Gruitza, Hermitage, D-7th District, had a hand in the grants.
Mercer County groups receiving the grants are:
The roof is leaking at Green ville's business incubator, home to 32 companies. Part of the grant also will be used to renovate GAEDC offices and to replace the heating system in the incubator in the former West Side Elementary School.
The courthouse project includes removing paneling and a drop ceiling to restore the interior to its original design. Authentic period lighting and a new sound system will be installed.
Other phases of the restoration include heating and air conditioning renovation, electrical upgrades to allow for more computer access and asbestos removal.
Thiel College's new stadium could serve as an all-weather soccer stadium and a host site for regional games.
The Ridge-Schweiker administration created the description of "community revitalization" for these grants which are also known as WAMs, slang for "walking around money" to denote a long-standing tradition in which the governor and legislative leaders provide project money to lawmakers.