Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 10, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams (D-Allegheny) and Representative Lindsay Powell (D-21) announced that the Etna Center for Community will receive a $500,000 Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant. This funding will be used to continue demolition on the historic Ochese Building and begin renovations to create a library and community space, the highest-prioritized project from Etna’s EcoDistrict Plan.
“I am excited to see the Etna Center for Community take shape as a place where everyone can come together and be welcomed in that all-important ‘third space’ that Etna is currently missing,” said Senator Williams. “This is going to be an amazing community asset for generations to come and I am proud to have been involved in bringing this space to life alongside partners like Rep. Powell and the Etna Community Organization.”
Rep. Powell said, “Once completed, the Etna Center for Community will serve as a gathering space for residents over the next one hundred years to build a sense of community and learn new ideas through the power of books. Thank you to Sen. Williams for her collaboration in securing these dollars and to Mayor Tuñón, Mary Ellen Ramage, and Megan Tuñón for the love and commitment each of them has for Etna.”
“We’re overwhelmed by this announcement as the Etna Center for Community is now one giant step closer to becoming a reality,” said Robbie Tuñón, Mayor of Etna. “This critical funding comes at the perfect time, allowing us to continue construction and complete the full vision for Etna’s public library and community center. Senator Williams and Rep. Powell have been there every step of the way on the Etna Center for Community, so today’s funding announcement is part of an incredible legacy of support they and their teams have had for Etna.”
The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program (MPCFP) is funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. A total of $45 million in grant funds were awarded to community anchor institutions for projects that will construct, acquire, or improve facilities that will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring.
Additional information about the MPCFP grants can be found here. A full list of this year’s recipients can be found here.
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