MERCER CO. Projects get $375,000 from state

Some money will be used to restore the assembly room of the county courthouse.
HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded grants totaling more than $375,000 for three Mercer County projects.
The state agency is providing $360,000 to put a roof on a Greenville business incubator, $100,000 to help with interior renovations at the Mercer County Courthouse and $16,000 for the joint municipal purchase of a piece of lawn mowing equipment.
The William D. McNeilly Business Center at 12 N. Diamond St., Greenville, will get a new roof that is supposed to last up to 25 years, said Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, who announced the grants.
Some money will also be used to renovate the Greenville Area Economic Development Corp. offices in that building and to replace the heating system at the Greenville Area Enterprise Center, an incubator warehouse in the Reynolds Development.
The McNeilly Business Center has been home to 39 companies that have created 450 jobs, said Jim Lowry, center manager. There are seven companies there now.
Total costs for the projects is about $500,000, Lowry said.
Renovations: The courthouse grant will be used to renovate the assembly room in the basement.
Paneling and a drop ceiling will be removed to restore the interior to its original design. Authentic period lighting and a new sound system are included, Robbins said.
"We're very grateful," said county Commissioner Olivia Lazor, noting the assembly room work is one small part of an overall renovation project.
County officials have estimated the total cost could reach about $10 million and will be paid for out of a $30 million bond issue .
Lazor said the county is working with businesses to put together a separate fund to restore paintings in the two main courtrooms and the dome.
The $16,000 grant for a shared municipal services program will pick up half the cost of a four-wheel drive, diesel-powered gang mower with a 128-inch cut to be used by Clark, Sharpsville and South Pymatuning Township, all members of the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments which applied for the grant.