(4/2023) On March 22nd the Adams County commissioners approved $5 million of community grants. These grants represented a portion of Adams County’s total COVID relief funds totaling $20 million. The federal government supplied these funds and thankfully gave counties very flexible guidelines for potential uses. As a reminder, Adams County chose to use $10 million for covering our own loses during covid (many counties chose to use all of their funds for county expenses). We granted $2 million to municipal governments and first responders. And lastly, we have set aside over $3 million for Broadband expansion. This flexibility allowed the county to create a community grant process for the remaining $5 million targeting high impact projects, specifically addressing affordable housing, economic development, mental health services, and public safety.

Forty-Three organizations submitted applications totaling $25 million worth of projects. With only $5 million on hand, the county chose to fund only fourteen projects. Besides the aforementioned criteria, county staff vetted each application based upon the regional or county-wide benefit, if matching funds had been obtained, was the project shovel ready, and did applicants have other avenues to fund their project. Every application deserved funding, but with limited resources, tough choices were made.

Here is a brief description of the projects that were approved. I divided the fourteen approved applications based upon their primary benefit, (affordable house, economic development, public safety, and mental health). This does not mean each project has only one benefit. In fact, many of these projects checked multiple boxes.

Affordable Housing

Adams County Economic Development Corporation received $323,100 to create a revolving loan program to support down payment assistance for those who work in Adams County. Currently, we are experiencing an affordable housing crisis in our county. This project will assist people, who live in Adams County, obtain funds to purchase a home. As a revolving loan these funds will be due back to the ACEDC after the buyer sells the home. This means that these funds will continue to assist workers in Adams County for years to come.

Anthony's Way Foundation received $250,000 to provide transitional housing which incorporates a full range of support services inside and outside the home, including care coordination to other support services, there is paid Peer Support Specialists in the home each day as well as a program director.

Gettysburg Combined Area Resources for Emergency Shelter (C.A.R.E.S.) received $368,900 to purchase a building that would house the homeless clients. Currently, CARES clients are housed overnight in county church properties. CARES would renovate the building with modifications for the disabled, Wi-Fi, water conservation measures, an air purification system, and funding for an initial budget to operate year-round. Having a single location would greatly streamline and improve their services to county residents experiencing homelessness.

South Central Community Action Programs, Inc. received $465,000 to add four units of affordable housing to Adams County. This is particularly critical now due to the significant increases in the cost of rent in Adams County and the severe shortage of available housing.

Economic Development

East Berlin Area Joint Authority received $1,000,000 for a two-phase investment in critical infrastructure, specifically the WWTP Expansion (Phase I), along with the Route 194 Water and Sewer Extension (Phase II). Not only will this improve existing water and sewer, it will also provide for the expansion of the current business park and potential housing for workers at that business park.

Adams County Technical Institute received $500,000 to acquire land and build a countywide career and technical school to support local workforce needs and high school student career interests. Increasing the options for career and technical options for high school students, will help to alleviate the current labor shortages in our county.

Lake Meade Property Owners Association received $250,000 for road base replacement and binder/wearing blacktop in addition to establishing an essential road access for the Spillway Construction for the Lake Meade High Hazard Dam Upgrades required by PADEP. Unless the Association repairs the dam, we risk PADEP draining Lake Meade and causing a significant property value decline impacting multiple layers of government.

Adams County Arts Council received $312,000 to address their building issues, including: roof and façade replacement and repair, interior repairs and renovations to address damage, and basement mold removal and remidiation.

Public Safety

Five first responder organizations received $250,000 each to purchase equipment or renovate structures that serve the public. Theses projects are outlined below.

Alpha Fire Company No. 1 Replace an aging ambulance. This 2008 ambulance has mechanical, electrical, and rust issues as well as the technology if the vehicle is obsolete.

Adams Regional Emergency Medical Services AREMS seeks to fulfill its experienced void in funding by establishing a critical care level EMS program with IV Pumps, Ventilator, Neonate ventilator supplies, Initial staff education/10 staff, Stretcher and Power Load, Cardiac Monitor, and Ambulance.

Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department Project is a fire station upgrade. This project will involve a major renovation to the current station along with a nearly 6000 square foot addition. This project will allow BVFD to not only better serve our community, but also serve our Volunteers better / safer.

Heidlersburg Area Civic Association Fire Company Heidlersburg Fire Company & York Springs Fire Company combined replacement of SCBA equipment that is nearing end of life and is used to enter smoke filled or burning structures.

Southeast Adams Volunteer Emergency Services (S.A.V.E.S.) As part of an upgrade to the fleet of emergency apparatus, SAVES will be purchasing a new Engine-Tanker. It is part of a two-phase plan to become compliant with NFPA standards. The second phase is a refurbishment of an Aerial-Quint.

Mental Health

TrueNorth Wellness Services received $281,000 to hire additional mental health staff, send staff to specialized trainings and also make improvements to two residential facilities.

All of these projects represent an investment in our future. If you have any questions about these projects or any issues facing our county, feel free to contact me at 717-339-6514 or martyqually@gmail.com