FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Ferguson Township announced it was awarded a $75,000 grant to support the Economic Development, Growth and Innovation Strategic Masterplan on Tuesday, May 7.
The Appalachian Regional Commission allocated the Area Development Program grant funds with the goal of fostering economic prosperity, infrastructure and quality of life in Ferguson Township.
Established in 1965 as a partnership between federal and state governments, the Appalachian Regional Commission aims to improve the quality of life, as well as economic development, in the Appalachian region.
“We are tremendously honored to be selected as recipients of the ARC grant, which will be instrumental in realizing our vision for sustainable growth and prosperity through our Economic Development, Growth and Innovation Strategic Masterplan,” stated Centrice Martin, township manager of Ferguson Township, in a press release. “This grant signifies a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, vibrant community that thrives economically, socially and environmentally.”
The township plans on moving forward with the first phase of the project in the coming weeks by filling a part-time position that will be funded by the grant. The position will help with the advancement of the project.
The first goal of the master plan, called Building Appalachian Business, aims to diversify and strengthen the local economy through economic development strategies and investments in business development and entrepreneurship. This includes growing existing industries and advancing economic prosperity and economic variation at the local level.
Within that goal, part of the strategy entails regional partnerships and joint activities involving nonprofits, governments and businesses. This includes the township’s working partnerships with the Pennsylvania State University, Centre County Government, Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, Centre County Industrial Development Corporation, SEDA-COG, DCED and others.
According to a press release from Ferguson Township, “The U.S. Census identified Ferguson Township as one of the most rapidly growing municipalities within the Centre Region, experiencing a 26% growth rate over the last ten-year decennial census period.”
As Ferguson Township continues to grow, the grant and project aim to ensure that structures are in place to support growth in the area.
In addition to the awarded $75,000, Ferguson Township matched the funds, resulting in a total of $150,000 for the project.
