LAWRENCE COUNTY Officials mull plans to spur development

The county is considering joining the Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are moving forward with the creation of two entities to help spur development.
Commissioners on Tuesday will consider hiring an attorney who will draw up the necessary documents to create redevelopment and general purpose authorities.
The authorities, commissioners say, could be used to procure land for development and financing for projects throughout the county.
Both would be run by an autonomous board that are appointed by the county commissioners.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said the county planning staff would likely provide assistance to both boards.
Commissioners are considering hiring attorney Wayne Gerhold of Pittsburgh to write ordinances creating these two authorities.
Authorities' roles
DeCarbo explained that the redevelopment authority would have the ability to take land and turn it over to private entities for development. He noted that could only happen if the authority and the municipality where the land is located agreed to the project.
The general purpose authority would be available to take out loans through bond issues and find grants for projects involving multiple municipalities, he said. Those things could include funding for sewer and water projects, regional police forces and other things, DeCarbo said.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught questioned why county solicitor John Hodge couldn't handle the paperwork to write these ordinances.
DeCarbo said Hodge is busy with other county business, including reassessment court appeals, and he would like to hire Gerhold to complete the project soon.
Commissioner Brian Burick agreed, saying he would like to see the project completed soon too.
Gerhold would be paid about $5,000 for his work, they said.
Planning commission
In other business, commissioners are considering joining the Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission. The county is already a member of the Northwest Planning Commission.
DeCarbo suggested they join the Southwest commission because there would be more benefits to the county. He said the group has a larger staff and paid federal lobbyists. It would also ensure that the county is considered part of Pittsburgh's metropolitan statistical area, which would mean higher federal reimbursements for the county.
Fosnaught, however, said he wasn't sure the county should join the SPC. He noted that the county would have to turn over all of its state road and bridge funding to the group, which puts every member's state money in one fund and then decides what projects will be completed. Now, the county gets its money directly and decides what projects will be completed.
DeCarbo said if commissioners agree on Tuesday to join SPC, it could take more than a year for it to happen. The state legislature must approve the county's designation as part of the southwest region. The yearly dues will be about $12,000.
He noted that Lawrence County may have the opportunity to stay in both the southwest and northwest planning groups because of its location.