A unique grant program that is funded primarily by private foundations is helping economically strapped counties in western Pennsylvania reshape the way they govern.
The County Challenge Grant Program was launched last October by the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Economy League (PEL), a non-profit civic organization that provides information and support to the business, civic and governmental leadership of western Pennsylvania.
Funding from foundations such as the Heinz Family Endowment and R.K. Mellon is awarded for feasible proposals to both the county and the local branch of the PEL. The PEL’s portion helps finance research and analysis, while the county uses its share to carry out the project.
Potential projects include the creation of a regional asset district, a county manager position, or a joint purchasing program. Counties selected to receive the funding are required to supply matching funds.
There are 29 counties and 1,182 municipal governments in western Pennsylvania. Because of this fragmentation and a sluggish economy, PEL and the foundations agreed that taking a more regional approach by strengthening counties would help revitalize the area.
“If we strengthen our county governments, that’s going to make us more competitive going into the 21st century,” observed Dave Miller, managing director of PEL. “This is a way to support counties in terms they’ve come up with themselves.”
So far, PEL has submitted applications on behalf of nine counties, including one for a $15,000 grant for Erie County to explore the possibility of creating a regional asset district.
Dave Skellie, Erie County planning director, says the tax base in the city of Erie that funds regional assets such as the civic center, the transit authority and libraries, is declining. “Is it fair for the city of Erie ... to continue to pick up those costs?” he asked. “Should suburbs be more financially involved?” This grant, he explained, will enable both the city and county to study the issue and determine how to proceed.
This program is “extremely helpful,” Skellie commented. “It enables us to move ahead much more quickly.”
The county has already matched the grant with $20,000 in cash and in-kind services. Its application, as are the other eight, are still under review.
A maximum grant amount hasn’t been determined, Miller said. The availability of funding over the next four to five years will be based on the relevance of projects.