A new plan to spur economic development in Butler County by tapping into President Donald Trump's recently released infrastructure plan commenced with a vote Wednesday by county commissioners.

Mark Gordon, the county's chief of economic development and planning, received unanimous approval from commissioners to pay Delta Development Group of Mechanicsburg $7,500 per month for four months to help the county access federal funds for its new Butler Corridor Project.

Gordon explained that the group will use its expertise to develop a public funding strategy for the corridors that need improvement throughout the county.

He and commissioners Chairman Leslie Osche gave as examples the Route 68 corridor in Connoquenessing Township, Route 228 East and West, Route 356 in southeastern Butler County and Route 38 in Washington Township, but said there are others.

Gordon said Delta will:

Develop a message statement outlining the Butler Corridor Project that highlights the economic benefits, cost and schedule for the project

Develop a resolution for a new local use fee that outlines project criteria and geographic disbursement of funds

Develop a public funding strategy to leverage the local use fee funds to support the Butler Corridor Project

Present their findings to the county commissioners and Gordon when complete.

The end game, Gordon said, is to use Delta's professional and polished plan to access a portion of the $1.4 to $1.7 trillion in infrastructure funding announced by Trump in January.

Osche and Gordon said funding for transportation projects like the 10-mile stretch of Route 228 West between Routes 8 an 19 are not available from the state, but Trump's infrastructure dollars dangles before the county funding to which it would not otherwise have access.

“The president is opening this funding program and here's an opportunity, we think, to be a little more strategic and work with a third party to help us position ourselves so that we could articulate our strategy to the people in Washington, D.C., and (access) funding streams we otherwise would never have access to,” Gordon said.

He hopes the presence of U.S. Congressman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman will improve the county's chance of receiving funds because Shuster represents the 9th Congressional District south and east of Pittsburgh.

“This could work effectively if we were able to take a strong proposal to Washington,” Gordon said. “I think the timing is appropriate now.”

Osche said the county and the state Department of Transportation District 10 have trouble competing for the funds available from Harrisburg.

“We kind of have to take matters into our own hands if we're going to accomplish anything with our roads and bridges,” she said.

She said improving routes 228 and 68 and other corridors could only mean an economic bump for the county.

“All of those routes become important to jobs and making sure people can get where they need to go,” Osche said. “We're all determined to fight to the bitter end to address these issues.”

She said improved transportation infrastructure is imperative in Butler County.

“We lead the region in growth and jobs and if we are going to maintain that, the infrastructure has to be maintained,” Osche said.

She has high hopes for consulting with Delta and improving the county.

“Delta is familiar with funding sources and how to apply for those,” she said.