Over the past week or so, we’ve been highlighting a number of Butler County projects — seven to be precise — that will receive more than a combined $3.5 million in grant funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

These grant dollars have real potential to make lasting impact here in Butler County, and if the projects come to fruition as proposed, that investment here will be quite noticeable — particularly in the southern part of the county, where more than half of the dollars are allotted.

We covered the initial announcement of this funding, but what we aimed to do in the week or so that followed was to explain what exactly would happen with each of these grants. So far we’ve written in depth about all except one, but we hope to get that news soon.

Cranberry Township received largest sum, $1.25 million for its township municipal building’s expansion and modernization. It’s especially important for Cranberry since there’s no “downtown” place for residents to gather.

The municipal center doubles as a public gathering spot, or as township manager Dan Santoro said in a recent article, the heart of business and recreation in the township.

Right behind Cranberry Township was Jackson Township’s Buncher Company, which received $1 million for Jackson’s Pointe Phase 1A. This project is intended to expand the company's presence in the area via the development of a mixed-use facility.

Additionally, $811,250 will go towards phase 2 of the Harmony Fire District construction project.

And also in the southern part of Butler County, the Pittsburgh Community Rink Operating LP received $500,000 for the expansion of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

“What we’re envisioning is building an additional sheet of ice, a future hotel as well as a transportation hub with parking that can serve not only people who come to the facility but also commuters who are coming down to Pittsburgh,” Kevin Acklin, president of business operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, said in a recent interview.

The other half of the county was not excluded in this round of grant funding. It was good to see Butler and Slippery Rock based projects included in the funding, too.

Right here in the city, Butler Technologies is receiving half a million dollars for a facility expansion. This is a big deal with big potential for a manufacturer based here in the city of Butler.

The Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau received $475,000 toward land for a proposed Born and Built in Butler museum, and though shy of their $1.25 million ask, this sets the plans for such a place in motion.

And to the north, the Slippery Rock University Foundation received $850,000 for the ROTC Police Station Facility.

— TL