Mercer and Lawrence Counties are among several counties Pennsylvania to receive funding for community revitalization projects.

This announcement came after Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Green announced the approval of $36 million in funds from the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) for 220 different communities for community revitalization projects across the commonwealth.

Mercer County has received funds for two separate projects. 

The Community Action Partnership of Mercer County (CAPMC) in partnership with the City of Sharon received $11,000 for developing a vacant lot maintenance strategy: Lots to Love. 

The intention of this strategy is to identify solutions to maintain vacant lots and to ensure that each time a former home is demolished, there is a plan to take care of the land it once occupied, eliminating blight. 

Additionally, the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County (CFWMC) received $13,750 in funding for a new food program

The program will be a regular food program for mass distribution of shelf stable food items as well as frozen and various refrigerated products through a pantry system and various congregate feeding programs.

Lawrence County has also received funding for two separate projects. DON Enterprises Inc. received $80,000 for a project involving New Castle's population.

New Castle's population has declined over the years due to the city's de-industrialization. In 1950, the city's population peaked at 48,834, and by 2018 decreased to 21,797. 

The lower east side has a population of 1,269 people with 13% identifying as nonwhite and 25% of households have children. The median household income is $33,977, and almost 33% of the population lives in poverty.

The Building New Castle Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) will tackle blight and revitalize the neighborhood. 

10 Thousand Friends of Pennsylvania also received $180,000 for a project that would improve health, neighborhood stability and break cycles of general poverty.

The project works to alleviate issues through collaborative partnerships with local governments, Blueprint Communities coalition and non-profits such as the Walker House, DON Services and United Way.

Outcomes include equitable access to public spaces and recreation, two new sporting fields, active sports opportunities for 30 youth and their families, two to four owner-occupied homes repaired, etc.