Although Frederick A. Reddig wouldn't say if he will recommend the state fund three grants for Shenango Valley programs, he complimented the entities involved for undertaking them.

"Certainly there are a lot of exciting things happening in the Shenango Valley," said Reddig, local government policy manager for the Department of Community and Economic Development's Center for Local Government Services.

Reddig was hearing officer at a public hearing Tuesday for the following grant requests:

• Farrell and Mercer County Regional Planning Commission for $82,830 over three years to hire a community and economic development director.

• Farrell and Sharon for $30,000 to cover the first-year local match for a state Weed and Seed grant already awarded. The Weed and Seed program provides funding and resources for a law enforcement crackdown and community revitalization programs.

• Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee for $25,000 to help fund a study of the sanitary sewer systems of Farrell, Sharon, Hermitage, Wheatland and Sharpsville.

Tom Tulip, the city's recovery coordinator, testified that the programs that the grants would help bring to fruition could lead to Farrell leaving the recovery program.

He said a preliminary exit plan is in place to leave the program "in the not too distant future."

Tulip added Farrell needs a community and economic development director more now than in the five years he's been recovery coordinator.

The director would spearhead the city's urban renewal project of the northwest section, administer its annual Community Development Block Grant and manage a housing rehabilitation program, should funding be found.

Councilwoman Helen Marenchin called those tasks "the backbone of what we're trying to do in out city."

The director also would administer CDBGs and perform other duties for the planning commission.

Mrs. Marenchin added that the city's economic development concerns go hand in hand with the community-building thrust of Weed and Seed.

"If you have a lot of crime and blighted areas, it's not going to work too well," she said of economic development.

Olive Brown, who lives in the Weed and Seed target area and spearheaded the grant application efforts through the anti-drug coalition Endorse Resistance of All Substance Abuse Everywhere, said it's depressing walking through her neighborhood and seeing crack houses and abandoned buildings.

But, she said. 'We have hope. We haven't lost hope."

Roberta Leonard, who co-wrote the Weed and Seed application, said Farrell and Sharon are not alone in their efforts. Mercer County and many public and private agencies are helping them.

"We have pulled together as a unit for the betterment of Sharon and Farrell," she said.

The $100,000 sewer study is a combined way to tackle problems and needs that each town is facing individually, said Hermitage City Manager Gary Hinkson.

The towns need sanitary sewer facility renovations in the tens of millions of dollars.

"We're sure this study will point out greater efficiencies and give city officials some options," he said.