Greene County Chamber of Commerce outlines grant research and application process
6
Agricultural and forestry uses for abandoned coal mine land
10
New Greene County community center finding its way
from the editor
GRASSROOTS GROWTH WITH GRANTS
As I write this letter, we're in a weird, warm period after bitterly cold temperatures and tons of snow. There are still piles of dirty snow in all the parking lots and along the sides of the roads, but soon, they will melt and flood our waterways and give way to the rebirth and growth that comes with spring.
This edition of Greene County Magazine ended up being primarily focused on grants. Sometimes, I select a theme, but it naturally came together this time. A couple of months before the release date, I shoot off a message to our main Greene County contributor, C.R. Nelson, who is highly connected to the community. She puts her feelers out there and finds something interesting to highlight. Here's what she said about this edition's cover story: "Greene County has trouble getting the real funding it needs for big projects like this because, with the gas and coal reserves, we look rich on paper. It's those who aren't and live in rural isolation that get overlooked. So the good folks came out of their churches and dealerships and businesses and administrative offices and started working together. That's why I love living here."
From there came the feature from the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, too, about funding available from a natural conversation Nelson had with director Melody Longstreth.
And there you have it. A small peek behind the proverbial curtain about how a publication like this comes together. I rely heavily on people who intimately know their community to tell an accurate story. I hope that comes across, but if ever I miss the mark, please be sure to let me know. If you have an idea for a story or any other form of feedback, give me a call at 724-4700541 or drop me a note at tthurston@observer-reporter.com. I'd be happy to hear from you.
Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.
issuu.com/observer-reporter
EDITOR
Trista Thurston
tthurston@observer-reporter.com ADVERTISING
Photo by C.R. Nelson
The Way Community Center of Greene County was once Belko Market at 209 W. High St., Waynesburg.
Got grants?
One of the greatest unspoken gems in every community is the ability to apply for grants. Grants are funds awarded by a government agency, foundation, corporation or other organization to support specific projects, initiatives, or individuals. They do not require repayment, making them an attractive source of funds. Grants are used for various purposes, such as scientific research, educational programs, nonprofit projects and small business ventures.
There is a structured process to obtain a grant that applicants are required to follow carefully. Common types of grants include:
• Government grants , offered by federal, state or local governments to support public programs or community development initiatives.
• Foundation grants , provided by private foundations or charitable organizations to fund causes aligned with their mission.
• Corporate grants , issued by businesses to support nonprofit organizations, education resources or community projects.
• Research grants fund and focus on academic or scientific institutions to lead research in specific fields.
• Small business grants, designed to help entrepreneurs launch or expand their businesses.
Securing a grant involves several steps that require attention to detail and preparation. The first step is identifying grant opportunities by researching available grants aligning with your project or organization’s goals. Many of the funders for grants publish detailed guidelines for their
grant programs, counting eligibility requirements and application deadlines. After identifying grant opportunities, step two determines eligibility through a grant’s specific criteria. Factors to this may include your type of organization, geographical location and the purpose of the funding. Ensure all the requirements are met before moving forward to step three. Preparing a proposal is the cornerstone of an application and is entirely step three. A grant proposal typically includes an executive summary, which is a brief overview of the project; a statement of need, which is an explanation of the problem the project is addressing; goals and objectives, which outlines the specific outcomes; methodology, a description to the approach and activities planned; budget, a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be used; and an evaluation plan that demonstrates how to measure the success of the project.
Upon completion of preparing your proposal, step four is submitting the application. Though some grants may require physical documents, most have an online submission process. Follow instructions carefully and be sure the application is complete because incomplete submissions are usually disqualified. From here, wait through step five: the review process. The funding organization analyzes each application through a procedure that may involve initial screening for eligibility, detailed evaluation by a panel of experts or reviewers, and/or follow-up questions or requests for additional information. Simultaneously to the success of an application, applicants will receive step six: an award notification outlining the terms and conditions of the grant. Reporting requirements, timelines and allowable expenses are found in this communication.
For those new to the grant process, there are a few friendly
By Sarah Calvert Greene County Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant
tips. Make sure to start early. Begin forming an application well in advance of the deadline, as they can be time-consuming. When tailoring a proposal, be sure the application aligns with the funding organization’s priorities. Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors by having them review the proposal for impact and clarity. Build relationships with funding organizations to understand their goals and priorities better. Lastly, maintain meticulously thorough documentation of any grant activities for reporting and future reference.
Coming from the base level right here in Greene County, many exciting grant opportunities have been awarded, and there are constant conversations about grant applications in the works. In the past few years, the Community Foundation of Greene County, Greene County Conservation District and Greene County United Way are just a few local organizations that have been on various media platforms for obtaining or distributing various grants. To find local government grants that either the commissioners have obtained or have distributed in the past or are currently available, check greenecountypa.gov. Those on the hunt for state government funding can reach out to the state senator and state representative’s office for assistance. Another helpful tool is on the Pennsylvania state website, pa.gov/ grants, to discover state grants. Interested parties can search by applicant type, funding agency, funding type or by category. Grants are invaluable resources that support impactful projects and initiatives. With careful preparation through a detailed and competitive process, aligning with the funder’s goals will greatly enhance the likelihood of success. By understanding the various types of grants available and following the structured process, organizations and individuals can unlock opportunities to bring their vision to life.
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‘MAKING A WAVE’
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY USES FOR ABANDONED COAL MINE LAND
Photos courtesy of Canva
By Lisa Lewis Penn State Extension Greene County Master Gardener
The U.S. Department of the Interior states that there are as many as 500,00 abandoned coal mines in the United States, with as many as six million acres of abandoned mine land. More than 1/3 of that AML is in Pennsylvania, affecting 43 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Perhaps not surprising, given Pennsylvania being first in the commercial extraction of oil and anthracite coal, Pennsylvania has more AML than any other state in the union.
In 2022, Sen. Bob Casey announced that Pennsylvania would receive $28.67 million from the U.S. Department of the Interior to address the polluted waterways and land damage that are unintended consequences of mining and then restore AML for recreation, business or energy projects. Since 2014, Pennsylvania has led the Appalachian states in reforestation of AML. That work entails a rigorous multi-stage land restoration process before planting a diverse mix of native deciduous and coniferous tree seedlings. Thousands of acres of Pennsylvania land have been reforested with the goal of planting 10 million trees in Pennsylvania by the end of 2025. These efforts have created much-needed jobs, and the resulting trees provide benefits such as erosion control, water filtration, air purification, the ability to buffer climate change and food and shelter for wildlife.
In Kentucky, the startup AppHarvest has built three huge indoor farms on reclaimed AML. These facilities use sophisticated technology that saves space, recycles water, and is chemical-pesticide-free. Thanks to a yearround growing season, they grow 45 million pounds of non-GMO fruits and vegetables yearly.
In West Virginia, a disabled miner working for Appalachian Botanical Company has helped create lavender farms that also raise bees on land that meets Phase III reclamation standards set for the mining industry. Lavender is a low-maintenance crop that thrives in this type of dry, rocky soil. Besides giving the land a second chance, they provide above minimum wage second chance jobs to former coal miners and individuals who struggled to secure employment due to lack of a high school diploma or prior incarceration. They practice organic cultivation and a zero-waste philosophy. After four years, their lavender-based products are now sold in 40+ retail locations as well as shipped to all corners of the country online.
In Pound, Virginia, Brian Hubbard turned a few acres of AML into a thriving blueberry farm. He had initially planned to plant apple trees but switched to blueberries when he learned they would thrive in the slightly acidic soil. After pulling and removing tons of rocks from his site and conducting many soil tests to understand the diverse and patchy soil needs of a former coal mine site, he is successfully producing bountiful blueberry crops.
These are just a few of the creative agricultural and forestry uses for reclaimed AML. As one former coal miner turned lavender worker said, “We don’t make a ripple. We make a wave.”
Key Ring
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New Greene County community center finding its way
Photos and story by C.R. Nelson
Acting Administrator Dawn Mankey and Treasurer Sue Peirce hang The
Call it a spiritual campaign, a homegrown mission or simply a community that works together — The Way Community Center of Greene County is all that and more.
Watching the transformation of the outside of what was once Belko Market at 209 W. High St., Waynesburg, has been a reality show for those driving in and out of town since early 2024. That’s when the familiar beige siding that covered what once was the neighborhood Acme Store, then IGA, and then Belko Market began coming off, and its sturdy brick and block structure was revealed. Crews swarmed the sides and then brought in booms to raise a section of the roof. That basketball court-sized indoor arena is now the playful heart of The Way’s mission to bring enrichment and opportunity to its neighbors. Now, the building stands freshly sided and accessible, from the clean architectural lines of its main entrances to the doorways to the multiple parking lots. All that’s missing now is the signage, funded by EQT and coming soon.
What’s happening inside is a testimony to the good things
waiting for those who walk through those doors.
“This building in and of itself is not a church — it is a community center for church people who are denominationally focused and folks who shy away from churches,” Greene County Commissioner Jared Edgreen stressed. “It’s part of a ministry outreach, but it’s a community center for all people.”
We’re sitting at a table in the unfinished front room that will soon be a cafe for those who come here to socialize, take classes, watch as their kids play games, grab a bite to eat or stay to volunteer.
Family Therapist Jonathan Johnson nodded. “We value individuals. Value. Equip. Connect. That’s our motto. We want to give families opportunities they might never have had access to, then we want to connect them to the community. For want of a better term, this is an ecosystem where we take care of one another. This building is a testament to the caring we have in this community.”
Outside, well traffic rolled past the big front windows as we
A familiar sight in 2024 to passersby as The Way got a new exterior.
Above: Sen. Camera Bartolotta was able to secure over $750,000 to keep the community center project on track. The announcement turned into a celebration.
At left: Treasurer Sue Peirce is all smiles as she accepts the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit from Sen. Camera Bartolotta. As Jonathan Johnson and others said, if it weren’t for Peirce’s hard work and grant writing abilities none of this could have happened. She’s that perennial woman behind the scenes who hardly ever gets credit where credit is due.
At right: Family therapist Jonathan Johnson and soon-to-be Greene County Commissioner Jared Edgreen in 2022 as The Way became a reality, thanks to community support.
talked. Inside it’s evident there’s plenty of work to be done. Glass-paneled garage doors separate the cafe from the auditorium where lights shine like stars from above. One almost-finished wall framed with freshly installed counters offsets a professional kitchen waiting to be equipped, waiting to teach kids to cook healthy meals, waiting for that first project that needs access to a fully inspected kitchen. A hallway leads to finished restrooms and classroom space already in use by after-schoolers. Behind the back wall is another gutted area waiting for the preschool yet to come. Edgreen and Johnson know this project inside and out. They’ve been in the thick of it since First Baptist Church of Waynesburg bought the building in 2019 and started working on its mission to build a community center.
also did Holiday of Hope on the 23rd for people hurting in the community. People who have lost children, people who are alone,” Acting director Dawn Mankey added when I called to learn more about these first ventures into community service. Mankey, a joyously unstoppable member of the First Baptist Church, “still does hair” two days a week, along with “everything else!” and laughs when she admits some of her loyal customers have been helping her update The Way’s Facebook page as the pace of what’s happening picks up.
“We’ll be doing many more community events for all ages. People think it’s just a gym, or a school or just for kids, but when they come through the door, they know it’s for them.”
Undaunted by the COVID shutdown of March 2020, the church planning committee quickly adapted to Zoom meetings and began reaching out to the religious and private sector at large to help keep the dream alive. Their networking paid off, as more neighborhood churches came on board and county officials and human service organizations responded to the potential of a community center to reach everyone they served.
When building costs increased in the aftermath of the pandemic, a capital campaign for “Walking Together” brought in the many local donor dollars needed to jump-start The Way Community Center of Greene County in 2022. The Way emerged as a stand-alone nonprofit 501(c)(3) with its own board and a motto to “Value. Equip. Connect” the community to the greater good of its collective self.
Edgreen and Johnson had good news to share today. There would be a “great reveal” on January 13. That’s when donors, board members, local officials and volunteers of The Way would learn — drumroll! — the numbers on the checks State Senator Camera Bartoletta would present.
“At this point, we’re at three point eight million, and of that, three was private donations,” Edgreen said. “The lion’s share of the money brought in for this project is from the community and this will be the first real grants that have been provided by the state. When looking at grants, in-kind contributions matter.”
“That’s the testimony,” Johnson noted, beaming. “The community has stepped up and that’s so powerful. I can’t emphasize that enough — we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the gracious commitment of the people of our community.”
Unfinished or not, The Way has already begun opening its doors to impromptu pickup games, including pickleball. During Waynesburg’s Christmas on High Street, people came in for free present wrapping, games, crafts, hot cocoa and snacks, then stayed to shoot hoops. During the town Christmas Parade on Dec. 7, The Way became a warming station and served gallons of hot cocoa. “We
Mankey knows where the strengths that have kept this project growing since the beginning lie.
Sue Pierce, wife of First Baptist Pastor Ed Peirce, was there in 2011 when the church began to dream about buying the old grocery store next door. “I love her so much! She is the heart of this organization.” Mankey praised the uncounted volunteer hours that treasurer Peirce spends on administrative work. Her grant writing is a major reason The Way continues to grow, one fundraiser, one heartfelt donation, one volunteer hour at a time. When Pastor Pierce retired in 2022, the couple moved to Akron, Ohio, but Sue is only a Zoom meeting or a phone call away. Yes, she would be back for “The Great Reveal.”
And so would I.
When the big moment arrived, the rows of chairs on the unfinished floor were filled with community volunteers, board members, donors and county and state officials.
State Senator Camera Bartoletta raised her hands at the podium and smiled at everyone. “I was raised by a single mom — I get it.”
Then, the Senator got down to business.
When the numbers on check number one were revealed — $276,300 from the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, a match for the $300,700 donors gave to The Way’s latest funding drive — grant writer Peirce came forward to receive it with her own dazzling smile.
But the biggest gasps and cheers came when the $500,000 Community and Economic Assistance Grant that Bartoletta had tracked down and encouraged The Way to apply for was presented to board president Jonathan Johnson.
As those on the frontlines of keeping The Way alive gathered to shoot off confetti streamers and take victory lap photos with their smartphones, the rest of us were on our feet, gathering in a happy circle around them, united by the many threads of connectivity we share.
Where there’s this kind of will, there’s The Way.
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