Clarion County commissioners are looking forward to working with Delta Development Group to spur economic growth in the county.
Delta is a Mechanicsburg-based “consulting firm specializing in community planning, economic development and disaster preparedness.”
“Originally we were looking at doing something countywide under one umbrella,” said commissioner Ted Tharan. “I thought it was pretty exciting. They presented a timeline with all of these grants for various projects from transportation to infrastructure.”
“Delta decided it would be better to have smaller contracts rather than one large contract,” said Tharan. “Delta will then work on projects for each individual group.”
“There are all sorts of grants out there that we don’t know about,” said Tharan. “Delta will take a project and find a grant to match the project.”
Tharan said Delta has been successful. He noted that in the last five years Delta client Butler County received $70 million in grants while Clarion County received $1.8 million and Jefferson County $3.8 million.
Locally, Delta handled the grants for the Clarion YMCA and W.R.C.
“It is all coming together and now we can start applying for different grants,” said Tharan, who added that one project would be the pedestrian bridge in Sligo.
Commissioner Ed Heasley noted Delta’s services could be used for the improvement to the entry road to the Smuckers Peanut Butter Factory in New Bethlehem and the connection road from the Kronospan fiberboard plant to Route 66.
Tharan said each entity will make an application for a project but the county can offer support.
“We need to come up with a list of projects and Delta will know what specific grants you can apply for that project,” said Tharan.
“The time is right to do it,” said Tharan. “We haven’t always worked together in the past but everyone is on board now.”
“Things have been stagnant in the county,” said Heasley. “We need something to develop new growth and new ideas for our future.”
There is a fee for Delta’s services. The county will pay one-third of the $90,000 fee or $30,000. The other participating entities will pay the balance.
Commissioners are expected to approve the agreement with Delta at their regular meeting Tuesday.