Gov. Tom Corbett Monday announced the Department of Community and Economic Development awarded Clearfield County $180,000 in Keystone Communities grants to support public improvements that address flood protection issues and community redevelopment projects.

“The funding announced today through the Keystone Communities program will help protect the health and safety of Coalport residents by upgrading flood-control systems,” said Corbett. “Our partnerships at the local level are vital to Pennsylvania’s overall economic health.”

The Keystone Communities program will provide funding for two public improvement grants in the amounts of $30,000 and $150,000.

Clearfield Borough, on behalf of the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation (CRC), will utilize $30,000 as a grant-to-loan to fund the preservation of the historical Ritz Theatre by converting to a digital projection system.

“Clearfield Borough expresses its sincere appreciation to the Office of the Governor and to the DCED for their continuing support of our community revitalization efforts,” said Leslie Stott, Clearfield Borough Operations Manager. “This redevelopment grant-to-loan award has allowed the CRC to help the historic Ritz Theater survive through the film industry’s transition to digital technology and to sustain its community development efforts into the future.”

The remaining grant for $150,000 will focus on expenses associated with the preliminary work for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Flood Protection Project in the Borough of Coalport which will address flood protection issues and construction plans. An estimated $12 million in property would be protected as a result of this project, along with helping to stimulate new business development by addressing flood risk concerns.

“Located in Southern Clearfield County, Coalport Borough has experienced flooding since 1936. In 1959 Glendale Dam was built to help control the flooding; however, major flooding still occurs along Clearfield Creek in Coalport Borough and parts of Beccaria Township,” said Lisa Kovalick, Community Development Specialist, Clearfield County Planning & Community Development Office. “This $150,000 grant for development from the Keystone Communities program along with $290,000 in matching funds, will allow the Borough to prepare for the flood project, protecting, residents and their homes, businesses, infrastructure and industry in southern Clearfield County.”

"State investments in our communities are important and that's why I am pleased that funding for key projects in Clearfield County has been aggressively pursued by local officials and groups," said Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria). "Funding for the preliminary work on a flood control project in Coalport and the revitalization of the Ritz Theatre in Clearfield Borough will help the communities grow and prosper."

“I’d like to congratulate both Clearfield County and the Borough of Clearfield on these awards,” said Rep. Thomas Sankey (R-Clearfield). “In each case, but for significantly different reasons, we are making investments in these communities to achieve a better quality of life for the people who live in them.”

The Keystone Communities program was created in 2011 to assist commonwealth communities in achieving redevelopment. The program supports physical improvements to both designated and other communities that are undertaking revitalization to restore deteriorated downtowns, residential neighborhoods and industrial/manufacturing sites.

For more information, visit DCED’s Keystone Communities Program webpage or call 1-866-466-3972.

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6/23/2014