Bizzarro announces $67K in grants for Erie County projects

State funds awarded for local historical preservation

ERIE, June 8 – State grants totaling $67,250 have been approved to fund three historic projects in Erie County, allowing necessary construction and historic research to continue, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced.                          

“State funding can often be the determining factor if a project is completed,” Bizzarro said. “I advocate on behalf of deserving projects in our region because I want to make certain they receive their fair share from the state. I’m pleased to see that state grants will provide the money needed for construction as well as the research of the historic and culturally important structures in Erie County.”

The grants were approved through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Keystone Historic Preservation Grants have been approved for the city of Erie ($25,000), Mercyhurst University ($25,000), and the Erie Land Lighthouse ($17,250) overlooking Presque Isle Bay.

The grant for the city will be used to fund a preservation consultant conducting a survey to identify the city’s historic resources, including work to examine potential eligibility for National Register listings or local landmark designations.

The grant for the university will allow for the selection of a firm for the necessary research and documentation for the historic preservation project on campus. Research will date back to its founding era (1926-35) and all structures during Mercyhurst’s first 50 years of development.

The grant for the lighthouse will be used to replace mortar joints for the structure, which is on the National Register for Historic Places.

Today’s announcement continues Bizzarro’s efforts to allocate state money to properly fund schools, nonprofits, first responders and local businesses in his district and Erie County. So far this year, Bizzarro has helped secure nearly $8.5 million in funding for Erie County projects.