Library gets $1 million from state slots

MILFORD — The Pike County Public Library on Wednesday announced a $1 million grant award from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), to assist in funding the new Pike County Library Headquarters and Dorothy E. Warner Community Center. This grant follows a $1 million state grant for the new library received in September 2008 through the efforts of Representative John Siptroth, and brings the total raised to date towards the new building to well over $4 million, approximately half of the estimated project cost. Charlie Eible, a library board and building committee member, said. “This is a tremendous shot in the arm for our project. We could not be more grateful to DCED and all of its staff who have supported us through this process. The economy has become significantly more challenging in the months since we applied for these funds, so this assistance will be even more valuable than we had thought, both for the library and community center, and for the county at large, which badly needs the lift that this fine new facility will represent. This project will provide area businesses as well as residents with a catalyst for revitalization,” he added. The funds for the grant were generated by the Mount Airy Resort and Casino in Monroe County. Pennsylvania’s “Act 71” established a fund of money from licensed gaming facilities; The DCED is required to distribute that money to support community and economic development projects both in the county where each casino operates and in contiguous counties. For Monroe and surrounding counties, the fund amount for 2008 was $12 million in total. The library award constitutes $1 million of the $6 million awarded for counties contiguous to Monroe County. On February 17, the state agency announced 29 grants from the Monroe County fund, in amounts ranging from $41,000 to $1.05 million. “We are deeply grateful to the many, many supporters who wrote to DCED on our behalf last summer when we applied for these funds. Congressman Carney, Senator Baker, Representative Peifer, Representative Siptroth, the three Pike County Commissioners, the Milford Borough Council, the School Board, the Milford Business Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and innumerable other groups and citizens let DCED know how important this project is to the community. “Without all of their help, we would not have obtained this grant. We also warmly thank the Pike County Economic Development Authority for sponsoring the library’s application for this grant, and for assisting us throughout the process,” said Rebecca Lindsey, a PCPL Board and Building Committee member. “We look forward eagerly to working with DCED to make these funds work for our community.”