By Jean Shanley
Meadville Tribune
June 27, 2017
CONNEAUT LAKE — Borough Council has submitted what is called the fourth round in its application for funds from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Bill Eldridge, who is a member of council and president of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), said if this application is approved, it would mean the work on Water Street and Fireman’s Beach in the CLCDC-led revitalization project could begin soon.
He outlined changes to the application recommended by the EDA to borough council at its recent meeting. The changes were approved, and the application was submitted.
The application was filed after a conference call with the EDA. The call included representatives of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s office and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s office, Eldridge said.
The application asked that EDA allows the CLCDC to use half of the $1 million grant for the Water Street project and half for Fireman’s Beach.
The application was very detailed and CLCDC was advised how to configure the various bid packages for the work so the grant could be approved, Eldridge said.
Now, it’s just a waiting game to see if the application is approved.
Eldridge said previously it took four to six weeks for a decision, but the CLCDC asked for a faster response if possible because of the critical time factor in starting the project before winter.
The project could start by the end of summer if the grant is approved, Eldridge said. He said it would be in three tiers that would start two weeks apart.
The total project would use a total of three grants — $600,000 for Water Street on one grant, $1.4 million on Water Street for the second grant and $1.4 million for Fireman’s Beach.
No other grant applications are out at this time, Eldridge said.
“If we get this (grant), it will be big news for Conneaut Lake,” Eldridge said.