Tag Archives: Dauphin County commissioners

Dauphin County awards gaming grants, many Harrisburg projects receive funding

February 24, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Dauphin County Administration building on N. 2nd Street

Dauphin County gaming grants will go to over 80 local projects this year, many addressing education, recreation and food insecurity.

At a legislative session on Wednesday, the county commissioners approved just under $6.2 million in awards, funded each year by the county’s share of revenue from Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

Harrisburg-based projects were the recipients of some of the gaming money, which went primarily toward building renovations and improvements. These include:

Harrisburg City: $150,000 for Public Safety Building HVAC system replacement
Harrisburg Rugby Football Club: $50,000 for design and construction of rugby fields and related improvements
The Salvation Army: $69,690 for food recovery, assistance and nutrition services program
Dauphin County Library System: $75,000 for integration of downtown library facilities
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Cathedral and Masonic Theatre: $34,720 for lighting conversion project
Keystone Service Systems, Inc.: $50,000 for Capital Area Head Start service dogs
CASA Charter School Foundation: $75,000 for academic classroom expansion project
Harrisburg School District: $47,500 for John Harris Campus security camera replacements
Gamut Theatre: $45,000 for debt reduction on building renovation
GreenWorks Development: $75,000 for redevelopment of Midtown Harrisburg mixed-use project
Susquehanna Art Museum: $60,000 for replacement recreational vehicle for VanGo! art gallery
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church: $51,000 for renovation, repair and restoration of Church facility
Breaking the Chainz: $35,000 for repairs to apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin County Children & Youth Services and other agencies
Harrisburg Area Community College: $75,000 for purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus system for public safety training programs
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: $75,000 for renovations to create Innovation Studio for STEAM education
Harrisburg University: $75,000 for HUE Festival and renovation of academic space
The Nativity School: $75,000 for new school facility phase II renovations
Camp Curtin YMCA: $75,000 for design and construction of affordable housing
The Homeland Center: $56,000 for security infrastructure improvements and visitor management
Capital Area Soccer Association: $25,000 to upgrade Ranger and George Park fields
Catholic Charities: $25,000 for Saint Samuel Center windows and door replacements
Downtown Daily Bread: $20,000 for debt service on installation of air-conditioning in day shelter
The National Civil War Museum: $25,000 for reduction of long-term debt

“I think the leveraging of the money has been great this year and I think the diversity of the projects throughout the county is representative of the communities we serve,” Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick said.

Last year, the county awarded $6.3 million from casino gaming revenue to projects recommended by the Gaming Advisory Board.

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National’s gross terminal revenue was down from 2019 by 41%, with COVID-19 as the main contributing factor. However, a surge in iGaming (online gambling) helped the county maintain its average amount of received funds.

This year’s projects will leverage an estimated $24.8 million in additional investment related to the funded projects and over 11,700 jobs will be created or maintained in conjunction with the projects, said Mark Stewart, counsel for the Gaming Advisory Board.

The following is a complete list of the projects that will receive Dauphin County gaming grant funding this year:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township (Annual road maintenance, fire company self-contained breathing apparatus)—$500,000
South Hanover Township (Municipal complex debt reduction)—$284,000
Derry Township ($157,069 Police and Public Works radios; $68,400 Hershey Volunteer Fire Co. radio replacements; $45,000 Derry Township School District safety and security upgrades and $17,700 Hershey American Legion building roof replacement)—$288,1694
Middle Paxton Township ($124,000 Potato Valley Road Bridge debt; $126,300 Dauphin Middle Paxton Joint Park Authority site development plan and ADA improvements)—$250,3005
Rush Township (Skid steer vehicle) —$74,236

Other Awards

Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department (repair and restoration of Wildwood Park boardwalk) —$50,000
Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office (replacement of mobile and portable police radios) —$68,000
Dauphin Co. Local Emergency Planning Committee (hazardous materials duty officer response vehicle replacement) —$69,330
Dauphin County General Authority (golf course irrigation system debt payment) —$141,200
Susquehanna Township ($90,000 Uptown infrastructure improvement project debt payment and $60,000 Boyd Park Phase 2 improvements) —$150,000
Penbrook Borough (sewer interceptor replacement) —$85,000
Royalton Borough ($75,000 Borough Hall HVAC project debt service; and $20,000 police radios and police safety equipment) —$95,000
Swatara Township (Bishop Park multi-purpose trail construction project) —$150,000
Hummelstown Borough (Municipal and Public Safety Building debt reduction) —$49,015
Jackson Township/Fisherville Vol. Fire Co. (fire station addition construction debt) —$36,522
Lower Swatara Township ($188,418Annual DCIB loan payments and PennVest loan repayment; and $50,000 Lower Swatara Volunteer Fire Co. Tanker 59 debt reduction) —$238,418
Upper Paxton Township/Millersburg Fire Co. No. 1(Fire truck emergency and on scene lighting) —$60,478
Millersburg Area School District (security and accessibility upgrades at schools) —$48,000
Steelton Borough (Brickyard Community Park construction) —$90,000
Paxtang Borough (Municipal Complex improvements) —$150,000
Londonderry Township (sanitary sewer extension) —$140,000
Lower Paxton Township (police department body cameras and mobile vehicle cameras) —$128,387
Harrisburg City (Public Safety Building HVAC system replacement) —$150,000
Halifax Borough (retention wall replacement and storm water line installation) —$75,000
Lykens Borough/Authority ($75,000 Lykens Borough Phase III replacement of water distribution system; $41,000 Liberty Hose Co. No. 2 replacement of hoses and nozzles) —$116,000
Halifax Township/Halifax Fire Department (purchase of brush truck and associated equipment) —$50,000
Elizabethville Borough/Reliance Hose Co. No. 1 (Pierce Pumper Truck debt reduction) —$40,000
Berrysburg Municipal Authority (sewage treatment plant system project) —$34,000
Reed Township (contribution to debt payment on aerial fire apparatus) —$37,000
Harrisburg Rugby Football Club (design and construction of rugby fields and related improvements) —$50,000
Dauphin County Library System (integration of downtown library facilities) —$75,000
The Salvation Army (food recovery, assistance and nutrition services program) —$69,690
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Cathedral and Masonic Theatre (lighting conversion project) —$34,720
Court Administration for Magisterial District Judges (debt reduction on construction of new MDJ facilities) —$170,000
Williamstown Borough/ Williamstown American Legion Post 239 (JFK Hall renovations to bathroom facilities) —$63,560
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. (debt reduction on new fire rescue) —$40,000
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (Camp Small Valley capital improvements) —$53,000
Keystone Service Systems, Inc. (Capital Area Head Start service dogs) —$50,000
CASA Charter School Foundation (academic classroom expansion project) —$75,000
Harrisburg City School District (John Harris Campus security camera replacements) —$47,500
Gamut Theatre (debt reduction on building renovation) —$45,000
GreenWorks Development (redevelopment of Midtown Harrisburg mixed-use project) —$75,000
Susquehanna Art Museum (replacement of recreational vehicle for VanGo! art gallery) —$60,000
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church (renovation, repair and restoration of Church facility) —$51,000
Breaking the Chainz (repairs to apartment building for displaced families working with Dauphin Co. Children & Youth Services and other agencies) —$35,000
Driven From Within (support for after-school programs, youth tutoring, college tours and classes) —$5,000
D&H Distributing (construction of new training center) —$33,486
Harrisburg Area Community College (purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus system for public safety training programs) —$75,000
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (renovations to create Innovation Studio for STEAM education) —$75,000
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (fire Department restroom renovation project) —$21,825
Panther Ram Foundation (Central Dauphin School District Nutri-packs program) —$50,000
Harrisburg University (HUE Festival and renovation of academic space) —$75,000
The Nativity School (new school facility Phase II renovations) —$75,000
Camp Curtin YMCA (design and construction of affordable housing) —$75,000
The Homeland Center (security infrastructure improvements and visitor management) —$56,000
Middletown Volunteer Fire Dept. (pumper Truck debt reduction) —$94,978
Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. (update existing and acquire new technology resources conditioned upon resources being used in Dauphin Co.) —$74,874
Penn State University (Harrisburg Innovation Park planning project) —$35,000
Ghost Brewing Company d/b/a Rubber Soul (phase II construction of brewery) —$85,000
Hanna Education Foundation (food pantry enhancement) —$25,000
Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (construction of tiny homes community for veterans conditioned upon matching funds being obtained for the project) —$69,000
Capital Area Soccer Association (upgrade Ranger and George Park Fields) —$25,000
Catholic Charities (Saint Samuel Center windows and door replacements) —$25,000
Downtown Daily Bread (debt service on installation of air-conditioning in day shelter) —$20,000
Farm of Hope (improvements to driveways and walkways at farm serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities) —$15,000
The National Civil War Museum (reduction of long-term debt) —$25,000
OC Highway LLC (renovate Opportunity House to provide housing, life skills and vocational training) —$75,000
The Program, It’s About Change (reduction of debt on Phase I renovations of Ray of Hope House) —$50,000
Cyrene Lodge 169 (building repairs and tree removal) —$29,250
Linglestown Baseball Association (Koons Park Baseball Field Upgrades) —$68,500
The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg (renovations and upgrades to facilities and purchase of a wheelchair accessible bus) —$75,000
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg (portico replacement and deck) —$10,000
Capital Region Literacy Council (purchase and distribution of new children’s books) —$20,000
Communities in Schools of PA (renovate local headquarters and establish a youth Re-engagement Center) —$27,000
Devon Manor Pool and Swim Club (infrastructure and facilities improvements) —$25,000
Hospice of Central PA (conference room safety, technology and intake area upgrades) —$25,000
Hummelstown Area Historical Society (restoration of the Parish House building) —$25,000
Middletown Swim Club (repairs and upgrades to pool facility) —$17,167
New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America (Scoutreach Program Dauphin County affordability and accessibility initiative) —$15,000
Pop’s House (debt reduction on acquisition of home for veterans conditioned upon funds being applied to payoff IDA loan) —$30,000
Summit Terrace Neighborhood Association (upgrade and revitalize community building and fund technology upgrades) —$10,000
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (administration) —$650,000

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More grant money available for small businesses, nonprofits hurt by the pandemic

December 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Dauphin County administration building in downtown Harrisburg

If you have a small business or nonprofit in Dauphin County, you may be eligible for another round of grant money.

The county commissioners have announced that another $1.15 million is available through the Dauphin County COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grant Program.

Through the program, funded with federal dollars, applicants are eligible for up to $20,000 or three months of operating expenses, whichever is less.

“We are thankful that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provided the second round of grants to help small businesses and nonprofits, who are still struggling,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries.

The application deadline is Dec. 31.

Eligible businesses or nonprofits must be located in the county and have 100 or fewer employees. Applicants must also serve a low-to-moderate income area or employ 51 percent or more low-to-moderate income workers.

While applicants that received previous coronavirus-related assistance can still apply, the amount of funding previously received will be considered in awarding grants, according to the commissioners.

“The pandemic continues to be a hardship, especially for smaller businesses and charities,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “We appreciate how important their services and jobs are to our community and want to do what we can to help them keep the doors open.’’

In the spring, the commissioners awarded $10,000 and $20,000 grants to more than 70 businesses through an initial HUD funding round. Additionally, in October and November, the commissioners presented $17 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants to 20 municipalities, 190 small businesses, and 71 nonprofits.

“We especially encourage those businesses and nonprofits that have not already received some assistance to apply,’’ said Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III. “While we cannot replace all the losses and expenses caused by the pandemic, we hope the relief we provide can keep them going until everything is at least somewhat back to normal.’’

Click this link to view online application for the Dauphin County COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grant Program.

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Dauphin County introduces budget that holds the line on property taxes

November 25, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

The Dauphin County Administration building in Harrisburg

Dauphin County does not expect to raise its property tax for 2021, despite challenges wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, the county commissioners introduced a $191.4 million preliminary budget that would keep the county portion of the property tax rate unchanged for a 16^th straight year.

“We realize that many of our residents are struggling because of the economic impact of COVID-19,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste, in a statement. “This board was committed to not raising taxes for next year, though increasing costs will make it tougher to keep holding the line in future budgets.’’

The pandemic raised costs this year for several county functions, especially for holding the recently concluded 2020 election.

According to the county, the election cost about $2 million to run, about $700,000 more than anticipated. The higher cost was due to mailing and printing more ballots than expected, in addition to hiring additional staff to verify and count results.

In Dauphin County, about one-third of voters cast their ballots by mail, an unforeseen expense when the 2020 budget was finalized last year.

The commissioners used $7.5 million in federal CARES Act funds to balance the budget. The county received $25.1 million from the CARES Act, with most of the money—$17.1 million—going to help municipalities, small businesses and nonprofits.

Additionally, the commissioners expect to receive about $1.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for countywide coronavirus-related expenses. Furloughs and leaving vacant positions unfilled saved about $5.5 million in 2020, according to the county.

The commissioners are expected to take final action on the budget next month.

For Harrisburg residents, this is the second announcement this week of stable property tax rates for 2021. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Papenfuse introduced a city budget that does not raise the city portion of the property tax.

To view the Dauphin County budget, visit the website.

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Dauphin County commissioners award emergency funds to businesses, nonprofits, governments

October 21, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Part of the Midtown Harrisburg business district

The Dauphin County commissioners today approved the distribution of $17 million in emergency grants for pandemic relief.

The federal CARES Act grants will go to 20 municipalities in the county, 190 small businesses and 57 nonprofit groups, according to the county.

“This critical funding will help lessen the financial burden and keep the doors of many businesses and nonprofits open,” said commissioner Mike Pries, who oversees the county’s Office of Community and Economic Development (DCED), which administers the grant program. “It will also help local governments with the unanticipated costs associated with coronavirus, from purchasing personal protective equipment and technology for remote work to covering police and first responders’ salaries.”

The distribution includes $2.83 million for Harrisburg city, $150,000 for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg and assistance for many small businesses and nonprofits, including restaurants, shops, arts groups and professional organizations.

Businesses located in the county with less than 100 employees—or companies in the tourism industry with less than 500 workers—were eligible to apply for up to $35,000, or 25 percent, of operating expenses, whichever was less. Nonprofits were eligible if they delivered services in the county.

Although businesses and nonprofits that received a Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster loan could still apply, the amount of funding previously received was considered in awarding grants.

“The small business community, the backbone of our economy, has sustained a massive blow in recent months,” said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Restaurants, hotels, salons and other small businesses have been hit hard by state’s shutdown and continued restrictions, leaving many struggling to recover.”

Click here for a complete list of award recipients.

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Dauphin County extends office hours for mail-in ballots, offers election information

September 30, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Campaign signs outside a house in Harrisburg

Dauphin County is extending office hours for its elections office and disseminating other information as officials expect a flood of mail-in ballots.

The county commissioners today said that they were making adjustments as they gear up for general election voting. These include:

Starting Oct. 6, extending weekday office hours from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the county Administration Building in downtown Harrisburg for voters to pick up or return forms and ballots.
Starting Oct. 6, designating the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville as a ballot return site, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Commissioner Mike Pries also said today that residents soon will begin receiving their mail-in ballots.

“County elections staff has been working diligently to process ballot requests as they come in,” said Pries, who chairs the county’s Elections Board. “Voters who requested ballots before the end of September can expect to see their ballots in the mail over the next several days.”

As of Sept. 29, the elections office processed 50,993 applications for absentee and mail-in ballots—32,208 Democratic and 13,304 Republican.

“We are focusing on meeting the needs of voters and ensuring that every vote is counted,” said Commissioner George Hartwick. “Leading up to the election, we plan to increase staffing and potentially extend hours at the Ballot Return Sites to help process the 80,000-plus ballots that we anticipate coming in.”

Board Chairman Jeff Haste said that additional staffing and equipment has increased the cost of conducting the election, which will cost about $750,000 more to run than in the off-year election of 2019. Some of that extra cost is being offset by state and federal funds, including $130,000 in a CARES grant and $150,000 in federal funding for ballot security, according to the county.

The commissioners today also reminded voters of the following deadlines:

- The last day to register to vote is Oct. 19.
- The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is Oct. 27.
- Deadlines for returning a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot:
  - - By mail: must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.
    - In-person: must be returned to your county board of elections office or other designated location by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.

The Dauphin County Administration Building is located at 2 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit DauphinCounty.org and click on “What Voters Need to Know” or call 717-780-6360.

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Bronze map of Old 8th Ward presented to Dauphin County; Commonwealth Monument Project offers update

August 5, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Members of the Commonwealth Monument Project present Dauphin County commissioners with a bronze replica of Harrisburg’s Old 8th Ward.

Monuments around the country have been in the news recently, many taken or torn down by people who regard them as symbols of racism.

But for over a year, members of the Commonwealth Monument Project have had a plan to erect a new monument in Harrisburg, one that highlights and honors Harrisburg’s African American heritage.

Today, they discussed updates to that plan, as they also honored the Dauphin County commissioners who helped make it possible.

“In other places in our country, we are seeing monuments taken down,” Commissioner George Hartwick said during a public meeting today. “We are putting monuments up.”

Earlier this year, the commissioners awarded the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade a $100,000 gaming grant, indicating their support for the monument project.

Lenwood Sloan, the project’s executive director, phoned in to the meeting to present the commissioners with a bronze replica of the Old 8^th Ward. The replica shows an aerial view of the historic primarily Black and immigrant neighborhood that was demolished to make room for expansion of the state Capitol Complex.

“We cannot bring back the buildings or the ancestors, but we can raise the level of dignity,” Sloan said.

The bronze map models a larger one that will sit atop the “Orator’s Pedestal”—the base of the forthcoming monument.

The bronze replica presented to Dauphin County today is one of a series of four. The first was given to Peggy Grove, a supporter of the Monument Project. The second went to Gov. Tom Wolf, the third to the City of Harrisburg, and the last to the county today.

The four maps were created by the A.R.T Foundry in Lancaster.

“I would really like people to understand the history of the Old 8^th Ward,” commission Chairman Jeff Haste said. “Bringing history a little more alive for folks will make this a better region.”

The Commonwealth Monument Project is scheduled to be unveiled on Aug. 26 on the Capitol grounds at 4^th and Walnut Streets.

On the pedestal, 100 families’ names are engraved, as well as maps of Old 8^th Ward streets. On top of the pedestal will be the Old 8^th Ward map, as well as four historic African American figures from Harrisburg—Frances Harper, Thomas Chester, Jacob Compton and William Howard Day.

Two of the figures will stand on the pedestal when it is unveiled. The other two are being finished and will be installed by Nov. 14.

Land surveyor Melham Associates has already done construction at the site where the monument will be placed. A small plaza, the Irvis Equality Circle, will allow visitors to walk around and view the monument.

For more information on the Commonwealth Monument Project, visit https://digitalharrisburg.com/commonwealth/. For more on the IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade, visit their website.

Cumberland, Perry, York counties to enter “yellow” phase next week, says governor

May 15, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

PA Gov. Tom Wolf (right) today said that several central PA counties will enter the yellow phase next week.

Much of the Harrisburg area—but not Harrisburg itself—soon will move into the “yellow” phase, meaning that the state will lift some coronavirus-related restrictions.

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf said that 12 more counties will move to the less-restrictive yellow category on May 22.

Locally, they are Cumberland, York, Perry and Adams counties. In addition, several counties from outside the area will go to the yellow phase at that time: Beaver, Carbon, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.

“To Pennsylvanians in one of the 49 counties in the yellow phase, I cannot emphasize enough that you should continue to implement social distancing,” Wolf said, adding that people should continue to keep six feet away from others, wear a mask in public, telework and vigilantly wash their hands. “This virus has not been eradicated from these counties, and we are continuing to closely monitor new case counts.”

On Friday, 13 counties in the southwest portion of the state moved from red to yellow, joining 24 others in the northwest and north-central parts of the state.

Eighteen counties, including Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties, will remain in the “red” zone, which has the most restrictive “stay at home” and business closure mandates.

Wolf declined to say when these counties might move into the yellow category. Last week, he extended his “stay at home” order for all red-zone counties until June 4.

In response, Dauphin County’s two Republican commissioners, Jeff Haste and Mike Pries, issued a statement decrying Wolf’s decision to keep the county in the red zone.

“The governor’s decision today to keep Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties shut down while neighboring counties begin to reopen is nothing more than political payback,” said Haste, who chairs the board of commissioners. “Rather than listen to the people of Pennsylvania, he pits groups of people against each other and puts out misleading data to back up his cause. We’ve heard from hundreds of residents and business owners that the time to reopen is now.”

Haste cited data saying that Dauphin and Cumberland counties have shown similar infection rates, but that Dauphin County appears to have more cases because it has performed many more COVID-19 tests.

“Based on these figures, Dauphin County has performed 2½ times as many tests as Cumberland County and, it seems, is being punished for it,” said Haste.

As of Friday, the state reported 912 positive cases in Dauphin County and 492 in Cumberland County. Both counties have had the same number of deaths from the illness–41.

Pries cited other data showing that the pandemic has not overwhelmed the county’s health care system, citing low usage of ventilators. Of the county’s 140 ventilators, only three currently are being used for COVID-19 patients, and 84 remain fully available, he said.

“Looking at these numbers, it’s obvious that our healthcare system is not overwhelmed,” said Pries. “Why keep local businesses closed while thousands of people a day pack into the big-box stores? We have flattened the curve and want to reopen our county in a gradual and safe way that balances public health with the economy.”

Haste said that county District Attorney Fran Chardo and Sheriff Nick Chimienti will not enforce orders to keep non-essential businesses closed. Lebanon County also has said it will not enforce those orders.

For his part, Wolf said that he bases his decisions on where counties stand on the advice of scientific and medical professionals.

“It’s easy to look outside and see a beautiful spring day, and think, ‘Hey, there’s no danger,’” he said. “But the danger is real, and we need to take that seriously.”

Gov. Wolf strikes back at calls to reopen counties, accuses commissioners of cowardice, surrender

May 11, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

PA Gov. Tom Wolf (right) today at a virtual speech and press conference

Gov. Tom Wolf today struck back today at “cowardly local politicians” who want to open their economies “prematurely,” accusing them of “surrender” in the face of a “deadly” enemy.

Wolf made his remarks during a virtual press conference following a weekend during which the commissioners of several central PA counties, including Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon and York, said that they would move unilaterally into the less restrictive “yellow” category, perhaps as early as this week.

“These are politicians who were elected to serve their fellow citizens,” Wolf said. “Others are business owners who have chosen to serve their customers by putting them in harm’s way. These folks are choosing to desert in the face of the enemy, in the middle of a war that we Pennsylvanians are winning and that we must win.”

This week, 13 counties in southwest PA will join 24 other counties in the northern areas of the state to move into the “yellow” category, which allows for greater movement and business openings. All of the Harrisburg area remains in the most restrictive “red” category.

For one, Jeff Haste, chairman of the Dauphin County board of commissioners, on Friday released a letter accusing the state of heavy-handed tactics and urging Wolf to allow “businesses and communities to reopen.”

“For centuries, our people and businesses have shown they can adapt to changes to survive and prosper,” Haste stated. “They cannot, however, do a thing when a dictator and an unelected secretary place them in lockdown.”

Some local district attorneys also have said that they would not prosecute violations of state-mandated business closures or stay-at-home orders.

Both Wolf and Haste cited the “progress” made in PA in tamping down the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the state has successfully “flattened the curve,” or the rate of infection. They also both said that the state, through its business closures and stay-at-home orders, in place since late March, prevented the health care system from becoming overwhelmed.

But they interpreted this progress in very different ways.

Haste cited it as a reason to reopen, in addition to minimizing further harm to businesses and the community.

“I trust and have faith in the great people and businesses of Pennsylvania to operate in a manner that protects those of our population in harm’s way and allows our residents to go back to work, enjoy their communities and have a quality of life,” Haste stated.

Wolf, though, said that loosening restrictions “prematurely” would amount to “surrender” and endanger lives. He also called Pennsylvanians “heroes” for agreeing to upend their lives to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“These heroic acts deserve to be met not by surrendering, but by staying the course,” he said. “And that’s what I intend to do.”

He also said that business owners who follow the commissioners and open before state guidance allows could face penalties, such as losing liquor licenses, health certifications and certificates of occupancy.

“Finally, the politicians who are encouraging the people they’re elected to lead to quit the fight are acting in a most cowardly way,” he said. “This is not the time to give up. This is not the time to surrender. This is the time to rededicate ourselves to the task of beating this virus.”

Numerous Harrisburg projects receive funds as Dauphin County awards gaming grants

February 20, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Renovation of the Swallow Mansion nears completion on the 1000-block of N. 6th Street in Harrisburg. The project has received a Dauphin County gaming grant.

More than 80 projects in Dauphin County will receive gaming grants this year, as the Dauphin County commissioners have approved $6.3 million in awards.

Harrisburg-based companies and organizations will receive a number of grants, the awards originating each year from the county’s share of gaming revenue generated from Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

In Harrisburg, many of the projects are geared towards either removing blight or offsetting redevelopment or construction costs. These include:

Jackson Rooming House and Swallow Mansion: $75,000 to Vice Capital for renovating the buildings on the 1000-block of N. 6th Street into market-rate apartments and retail space
Open Stage: $50,000 for phase three of the renovation of its downtown theater
ModernRugs.com: $60,000 for demolition of two blighted buildings on the 1400-block of N. 3rd Street
Whitaker Center: $100,000 for updates and improvements to its STEM learning gallery
The Nativity School: $50,000 for new school facility renovation
Homeland Center: $24,000 for security infrastructure improvements
Stephen’s Episcopal School: $20,000 for school safety and security improvements
Gamut Theatre Group: $30,000 for debt reduction on its downtown building project

Harrisburg city will receive two grants:

$250,000 for purchase and installation of new bay floors at the city’s two operational fire stations
$$75,000 for design of the city’s proposed extension of the Urban Meadow in Midtown

“The majority of these projects create jobs and further investment and make our county more attractive to companies looking to either expand or relocate to our area,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries, in a statement.

Each year, Dauphin County makes these awards based upon a portion of casino gaming revenue and upon the recommendation of the county’s five-member Gaming Advisory Board. Last year, the county awarded $6.4 million in grants to about 60 projects.

The following is a complete list of the projects that will receive gaming funds this year, according to Dauphin County:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township (Debt service for Public Works bldg., annual road maintenance, fire company breathing apparatus) – $745,000
South Hanover Township ($175,000 municipal complex debt reduction; $25,000 PA State Police Museum construction debt, and $5,000 Antique Auto Museum expansion planning) – $205,000
Derry Township ($60,000 Fire Station construction debt reduction; $148,000 Police and Public Works radios; $24,000 The Vista School safety and security surveillance system; and $50,000 C&S Kray Real Estate Sand Hill Rd. relocation) – $282,000
Middle Paxton Township ($124,000 Potato Valley Road Bridge debt; $56,000 Municipal building storage and elevator; and $61,000 Dauphin Borough sewer revenue bond debt) – $241,000
Rush Township ($40,000 Route 325 mile marker signs; $11,500 Generator for Emergency Management Center; $44,000 Jefferson Township paving project) – $95,500
West Hanover Township (Lease purchase of new fire engine) – $200,000

Other Awards

Dauphin County Parks & Recreation Department (Fort Hunter Station adaptive reuse) – $160,000
Penbrook Borough (Sewer Interceptor replacement) – $75,000
Swatara Township (Paxton Street sidewalk construction project) – $170,000
Susquehanna Township ($175,000 Portable radios replacement; $14,000 Susquehanna Township High School baseball safety expansion; and $10,000 Susquehanna Township High School Alumni Association Building Champions Field House project) – $199,000
Jackson Township/Fisherville Vol. Fire Co. (Fire Station addition construction debt) – $19,000
Lower Swatara Township ($133,000 Annual DCIB loan payment and police radio upgrades; and $62,400 Lower Swatara Volunteer Fire Co. Tanker 59 debt reduction) – $195,400
Millersburg Borough (Municipal Building ADA upgrade project) – $59,000
Millersburg Area School District (Security and accessibility upgrades at schools) – $48,000
Steelton Borough/Steelton Vol. Fire Dept. ($90,000 Phase II Skate Park conditioned on obtaining full funding for Skate Park; $12,265 Fire Department equipment) – $102,265
Capital Area Transit (Transportation services for veterans) – $96,500
The Salvation Army (New generator at main facility) – $25,000
Dauphin County Library System (Patron computer upgrades) – $40,000
Keystone Service Systems, Inc. (Capital Area Head Start outdoor education space) – $43,000
Londonderry Township (Debt service for bridge replacements) – $94,886
Harrisburg Rugby Football Club (Design and construction of rugby fields with lights) – $35,000
Royalton Borough (Roadway rehabilitation project) – $180,000
D&H Distributing (Construction of new training center) – $90,000
Berrysburg Municipal Authority (Sewage Treatment Plant System project) – $34,000
Elizabethville Borough/Area Authority (Replacement of Smith Avenue Wastewater Pump Station) – $70,000
Elizabethville Borough/Reliance Hose Co. No. 1 (Apparatus debt reduction) – $30,000
Churchville Cemetery Association (Cemetery mower equipment conditioned upon not applying for one year) – $10,000
Lower Paxton Township ($47,000 Resurfacing of Friendship Center gym floor conditioned upon Township resurfacing leisure pool; $20,000 Koons Memorial Park Swim Club pool area improvements; $350,000 Linglestown Fire Co. No. 1 Air Unit replacement conditioned upon donating old unit to northern Dauphin Co. fire company and not applying for two years) – $417,000
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (Solar Farm project debt service) – $137,000
Court Administration for Magisterial District Judges (Debt reduction on construction of new MDJ facilities) – $150,000
Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority (Marketing and advertising costs for acquisition and redevelopment of Commonwealth property) – $116,000
Lykens Borough/Authority ($90,000 Lykens Borough Phase II replacement of water distribution system; $15,000 Liberty Hose Co. No. 2 mobile radio upgrades) – $105,000
Halifax Borough ($15,000 ADA compliance improvements at historical society building; $63,000 Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority waterline improvements; $25,000 Halifax Swim Club new sliding board) – $103,000
Hummelstown Borough (Purchase of replacement police radios) – $75,000
Harrisburg City ($75,000 Bureau of Engineering urban meadow extension design; $250,000 Bureau of Fire purchase and installation of new bay floors at Stations 1 and 2) – $325,000
Campus Cinema LP d/b/a Midtown Cinema (Renovations to theater lobby and facade) – $50,000
Gamut Theatre (Debt reduction on building renovation) – $35,000
Tri-County HDC (Phase II of 6-unit townhouse project) – $125,000
Open Stage of Harrisburg (Phase III renovation project) – $50,000
ModernRugs.com (Demolition of blighted buildings) – $60,000
Vice Capital (Jackson Square historical site revitalization project) – $75,000
PA Esports Coalition (Traveling esports learning space conditioned upon purchasing a van in 3 years) – $25,000
Reed Township (Contribution to debt payment on aerial fire apparatus) – $47,000
Shalom House (Construction of ADA compliant emergency shelter units conditioned upon securing all financing) – $25,000
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (Updates and improvements to STEM learning gallery) – $100,000
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (Retro-fit aircraft rescue firefighting equipment for Harrisburg International Airport Fire Department) – $19,500
Panther Ram Foundation (Central Dauphin School District Nutri-packs program) – $50,000
Harrisburg University (HUE Invitational security services and technology) – $75,000
The Nativity School (New school facility renovation) – $50,000
The Homeland Center (Security infrastructure improvements) – $24,000
Stephen’s Episcopal School (School safety and security improvements) – $20,000
Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. (After-school STEAM program) – $30,000
Center for Independent Living of Central PA (Purchase of two accessible vehicles) – $42,000
Penn State University (Harrisburg Innovation Park planning project conditioned upon obtaining full project funding within 3 years) – $35,000
Ghost Brewing Company d/b/a Rubber Soul (Phase I construction of brewery) – $75,000
Ecumenical Community of Harrisburg (Building 2 roof replacement project) – $25,000
Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania (Construction of tiny homes community for veterans) – $25,000
Iron Workers Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (Training Center roof and equipment upgrades) – $42,700
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 520 (Roof replacement project) – $44,700
Heat & Frost Insulators Local 23 (Parking lot upgrades and new lighting) – $43,200
Oasis Community/Living Water Church (Phase II playground project) – $10,000
Elevator Constructors Local 59 (New boiler and HVAC system) – $28,000
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. (Debt reduction on new fire rescue) – $40,000
Upper Paxton Township/Millersburg Area Senior Center (Senior Center updates and renovations) – $1,700
Halifax Township/Camp Hebron (Cabin replacement project) – $8,800
Capital Area Soccer Association (Ranger Field upgrades and beautification) – $15,000
Catholic Charities (Safety and security upgrades) – $3,500
Central Penn Crusaders Youth Football (Youth football all-star tournaments) – $2,500
Downtown Daily Bread (Installation of air-conditioning in Day Shelter) – $10,000
Farm of Hope (Development, construction and transportation at farm serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities) – $15,000
Midtown Action Council (Historic Marker revitalization expansion project) – $5,000
The National Civil War Museum (Reduction of long-term debt) – $16,000
Sankofa 21 Institute (Student technology initiative) – $6,000
Tri-County OIC (Mobility access for workplace readiness) – $13,000
Vision Resources of Central PA (Purchase of commercial grade facility freight lift conditioned upon obtaining full funding within three years) – $10,000
American Literacy Corporation (Dauphin County Reads Program) – $15,000
Grandparents Involved From The Start (Purchase of tablets for grandparents) – $5,000
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority to administer the following project: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities/IIPT Harrisburg Peace Promenade (Commonwealth Monument Project) – $100,000

Dozens of projects funded as Dauphin County announces 2019 gaming grants

February 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

This aerial view of Hamilton Health Center shows the adjacent site where contaminated soil is to be removed.

The Dauphin County commissioners today allotted $6.4 million to some 60 projects in its annual allocation of gaming funds.

Locally, Harrisburg city will receive $203,000 to upgrade its phone system and create an off-site backup storage facility for data such as crime, property, tax and codes information.

Elsewhere in Harrisburg, Hamilton Health Center will receive $115,000 to remove contaminated soil in an adjacent lot to prepare for a planned facility expansion.

“We’ve run out of exam room space, and we want to expand our medical and behavioral health services,” said Jeannine Peterson, Hamilton’s CEO.

Funding for the $6.4 million in projects comes from the county’s share of gaming revenue generated from Hollywood Casino at Penn National in East Hanover Township.

The Dauphin County Gaming Advisory Board reviews project requests before sending its recommendations to the commissioners for approval. While 62 projects were funded, another 37 were denied funding.

Other notable projects in the immediate Harrisburg area that were funded include:

D&H Distributing for a new and expanded training center: $160,000
Tri-County HDC to help fund a $1.4 million project to build 12 townhomes on Adams Street in Steelton: $125,000
Steelton Borough for Phase 2 of the Skate Park and Fire Department gear and equipment: $94,394
Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg for generator purchase: $70,000
The Salvation Army for security system installation: $53,000
Camp Curtin YMCA for affordable housing construction project: $50,000
Dauphin County Library System for computer equipment: $50,000
Penbrook Borough for sewer interceptor replacement: $50,000
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Masonic Theatre for auditorium media upgrades: $47,780
Cameron Street Boxing Club for facility renovation and equipment: $35,000
Breaking the Chainz Inc. for a van: $29,411
Harrisburg University for HUE Festival security services: $25,000
Theatre Harrisburg for seating and platforms purchase: $25,000
Stephens Episcopal School for safety and security improvements: $8,230

Under state law, the county must use the grant funds for projects that help human services, improve local infrastructure, enhance transportation, address health and safety needs, assist with emergency services and further public interest initiatives.

A complete list of grants follows:

Host & Contiguous

East Hanover Township (Public Works Building debt reduction; Culvert replacement and various roads; and Fire engine debt) – $750,000
South Hanover Township ($100,000 Municipal Complex debt reduction; $107,000 New emergency response support vehicle; $26,000 Salt Storage expansion and miscellaneous improvements; and $10,000 AACA Museum HVAC system) – $243,000
Derry Township ($250,000 Fire Station construction debt reduction; and $38,000 Senior Citizens Council of Derry Township van) – $288,000
Middle Paxton Township ($124,000 Potato Valley Road Bridge; $100,000 Blue Mountain Parkway resurfacing; and $30,000 Dauphin Area Senior Transit van) – $254,000
West Hanover Township (Houck Manor/Holiday Park public sewer extension project) – $275,000

Other Awards

Dauphin Co. Parks & Recreation Department ($75,000 Fort Hunter Station adaptive reuse; $30,000 Wildwood Lake restoration design and permitting; and $25,000 Civil War Grave care) – $130,000
Penbrook Borough (Sewer Interceptor replacement) – $50,000
Swatara Township (Police Motor Carrier Safety Administration Program conditioned upon Township creating and maintaining a permanent officer MCSAP position) – $130,347
Heroes Fund, Inc. (Phase 3 improvements and playground renovation) – $45,000
Jackson Township/ Fisherville Vol. Fire Co. (Fire Station addition construction debt) – $37,000
Pillow Borough Authority (Install two generators and Cold Spring control system) – $50,000
Millersburg Borough (Center Street flood and erosion control measures conditioned upon obtaining Dauphin Co. Infrastructure Bank loan for $183,713) – $161,121
Millersburg Area School District (Security and accessibility upgrades at schools) – $51,000
Steelton Borough/Steelton Vol. Fire Dept. ($30,000 Phase II Skate Park; $64,394.43 Fire Department personal protective gear and mobile equipment and lighting) – $94,394
Cameron Street Boxing Club (Renovate and equip new facility) – $35,000
The Salvation Army (Security system installation) – $53,000
Dauphin Co. Library System (Public and staff computer replacements) – $50,000
Keystone Service Systems, Inc. (Purchase building to provide Pre-K services conditioned upon closing on property within one year) – $30,000
Londonderry Township (Replacement of Lauffer Road Bridge) – $150,000
Harrisburg Rugby Football Club (Design and construction of rugby fields with lights) – $25,000
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (Infrastructure improvements and security upgrades at headquarters) – $44,823
D&H Distributing (Construction of new and expanded training center) – $160,000
Washington Township (Municipal building improvements, building addition and upgrades) – $100,000
Elizabethville Area Authority (Replacement of Smith Avenue Wastewater Pump Station) – $100,000
Elizabethville Area Community Alliance (Park and pool pump, filter, electrical and other repairs and improvements) – $40,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 143 (HVAC system revamp and classroom materials) – $100,000
Lower Paxton Township ($110,000 Rehabilitation of Friendship Center waterslide; $22,400 Koons Memorial Park Swim Club paint project; $15,750 Penn Colonial Swim Club pump and filter housing units) – $148,150
Dauphin County General Authority (Replace irrigation system and develop new water source at Dauphin Highlands) – $120,000
Cherry Orchard Place LLC (Construction of new 49-unit affordable housing for seniors) – $200,000
Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority (Demolition and clean-up of Old Lykens School site for future development) – $140,000
Lykens Borough ($80,000 Lykens Borough replacement of water distribution system; $19,479 Liberty Hose Co. mobile radio upgrades) – $99,479
Hamilton Health Center (Land acquisition and soil remediation of adjacent property) – $115,000
The Campus of the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg (Purchase generator for all-hazards emergency plan) – $70,000
Middletown Area Interfaith Housing (Commercial building repairs to generate funds to benefit youth programs and services) – $10,000
Lower Swatara Township (Debt service on bridge replacement projects and Act 537 sewage facilities plan updates) – $181,276
Tri-County HDC (Redevelopment of vacant and former blighted property) – $125,000
Susquehanna Township ($150,000 Debt service for uptown infrastructure improvements; $50,000 debt reduction on Squad 32 vehicle) – $200,000
Theatre Harrisburg (Theater seating and platforms purchase) – $25,000
Upper Paxton Township (Reconstruction and improvement of West Pearl Street conditioned upon receiving CDBG or raising full funding) – $100,000
Gratz Borough (Pump replacement and installation of generator and control system) – $36,200
Reed Township (Contribution to debt payment on aerial fire apparatus) – $40,000
Pop’s House (Reduction of debt incurred for acquisition of veterans center) – $30,000
The Vista School (Safety and security improvements) – $30,000
Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (Purchase mini-pumper for Harrisburg International Airport Fire Department) – $100,000
Middletown Volunteer Fire Department (Pumper Truck replacement project) – $125,000
Linden Centre, LLC (Curbing, paving, site utilities and storm water BMPS conditioned upon this being the last funding request for the project) – $125,000
City of Harrisburg (Redundant data center and telecommunications modernization) – $203,000
Camp Curtin YMCA (Affordable Housing construction project conditioned upon securing remaining funding within three years) – $50,000
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (Safety and security improvements) – $8,230
Berrysburg Municipal Authority (Sewage Treatment Plant system replacement and clarifier conversion) – $40,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (Conversion of IT operations) – $22,000
Capital Region Literacy Council (Purchase children’s books for reading program) – $17,875
Court Administration for Magisterial District Judges (Debt reduction on construction of new MDJ offices) – $200,000
Halifax Borough (Electrical, HVAC and accessibility renovations to Halifax Historical Society) – $50,000
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Masonic Theatre (Auditorium media upgrades) – $47,780
Harrisburg University (HUE Festival security services) – $25,000
Hummelstown Borough (Debt reduction on new municipal/public safety building) – $50,496
Loyal Order of the Moose Family Center #59 (Family Center ADA improvements) – $12,000
Oasis Community/Living Water Church (Park and playground project installation) – $30,000
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program for youth conditioned upon the funds not being contributed to salary or other personnel costs) – $15,000
Wiconisco Fire Engine Co. (Debt reduction on new fire rescue and equipment) – $40,000
Wiconisco Township (Municipal building debt reduction) – $40,000
Breaking the Chainz, Inc. (Van for community restoration centers) – $29,411
Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc. (Curriculum and software for diploma retrieval, job training/preparation program) – $20,000
American Literacy Corp. (Dauphin Co. Reading Initiative promotion) – $4,500
Life Esteem (Holistic Health Wellness Center marketing and program materials) – $3,500
Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority (Administration) – $550,000

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