Clarion County building 911 tower in Porter Township

Clarion County is continuing efforts to improve the 9-1-1 communications system in the county, and the latest move is to build a new tower in Porter Township.

Jeff Smathers, the county’s director of public safety, said at Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting the new 250-foot tall tower will be on Cottage Hill.

“We have rentals that we are getting off of,” said Smathers.

He said the county will save $30,000 in the first year from the current rental contract. Smathers said the move to microwave would save an additional $1,600.

Smathers said the cost of the tower will be between $250,000 and $280,000. He said the tower will be paid off in about two and one-half years, and construction should be completed by January or February 2021.

Smathers said the tower will be built with the ability to be expanded by about 20 to 25%.

The commissioners signed lease to own or right-of-way contracts in connection with the construction of the Porter Township tower.

Clarion County is revamping its emergency call system with new towers at the former Sorce warehouse and a new tower in Leeper. The East Brady tower is being moved to the overlook above the town.

The 9-1-1 emergency communication center is being relocated from the old county jail to the Sorce warehouse.

The county has utilized funds from the federal CARES Act to finance part of the project costs.