BELLEFONTE — U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson on Monday announced a more than $500,000 federal grant for to make upgrades to Airport Road in St. Marys.
The project will improve community-wide safety and provide better truck and tractor access for existing and future manufacturing facilities at the Airport Industrial Park.
The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded the $585,576 grant to the City of St. Marys. It is estimated that the project will support the creation of 20 new jobs and leverage $7 million of private investment to the park.
In addition to the ARC funds, the City of St. Marys will provide $66,000 for the project for a total cost of $651,576. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will administer the project and the Federal Highway Administration will serve as the basic federal agency for the project.
Airport Road serves as an access road to Airport Industrial Park in the City of St. Marys. Approximately 0.3 miles of roadway will be widened and shoulders will be installed on each side of the road, which currently do not exist.
Other improvements include re-establishing the crown of the road, widening the intersection, resurfacing and building a roadway drainage system.
Thompson said, “This is excellent news for economic development in Elk County at the Airport Industrial Park. This project will also increase safety for all those who utilize Airport Road in St. Marys. I am pleased that the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded this grant, and I congratulate to everyone involved with this project.”
Bob Rusiewski, ARC/EDA Programs Director at North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission said, “Funding for this access road will assist existing companies expanding in the St. Marys Airport Industrial Park and new companies acquiring sites for future business operations. The City of St. Marys has targeted this location for future economic growth in a desirable location and is providing local funding to assist the project’s construction.”
