Planning director headed to France
By Marcia Moore
Danville News (Pennsylvania)
January 21, 2009
SUNBURY — Northumberland County is demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy by sending planning director Maryan Kozak to France for a week.
The commissioners agreed Tuesday to send the newly appointed director to Lyon, France, for a renewable energy exhibition Feb. 20-28.
The $1,500 travel costs plus accommodations are covered by a $40,000 Futures grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
The three commissioners said attendance at the conference is a must for the county to make headway in renewable energy efforts.
The county has been working on the green energy Futures program by marketing the county to attract energy companies and investments, identify new uses of anthracite coal reserves and develop and invest in sustainable energy areas.
“I’m excited about this,” Commissioner Kurt Masser said of the conference. “We have to show our commitment by making strides like this.”
Board Chairman Frank Sawicki said Kozak will be making contacts with people involved in international trade.
“For renewable energy development, it’s important for Northumberland County,” Commissioner Vinny Clausi said. “If we’re successful, it’ll be good for us.”
The planning department also is applying for a $5 million federal Housing and Urban Development grant to restore dilapidated properties in Shamokin, Mount Carmel and Coal Township.
Thirty properties have been identified by the county Housing Authority as priorities because they are in areas with the highest number of foreclosures and abandoned homes.
The authority worked with code enforcement officers in municipalities across the county to determine which areas would be considered for the program.
“We didn’t randomly pick areas. They were identified as the most needy,” Masser said. “This will be a great program, especially for a landlocked city like Shamokin.”
If funding is approved, the grant would improve neighborhoods and put properties back on the tax rolls through the demolition or rehabilitation of abandoned homes.
Each participating community will be required to contribute $25,000 to the restoration.
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$9,768,189,155,530.00
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$31,864.45 Per Citizen |
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