Luzerne County Council is accepting applications from governmental entities, municipalities and nonprofits interested in obtaining natural gas recreation funding.
The county has received around $260,000 in funding from natural gas drilling annually since the state authorized such earmarks under Act 13 in 2012, with varying amounts going to outside groups.
County Manager C. David Pedri will identify the amount of money available for award in August.
Council Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck said she also has asked the administration to provide a report on the amount of money remaining from last year that can be added to the outside awards for 2017.
Some of the funding has been spent on maintenance of River Common recreational amenities in Wilkes-Barre and black fly spraying along the Susquehanna River.
A council majority approved a new plan to award the funding this year.
Previously, a screening group made recommendations to council. With the new approach, all council members will receive and screen applications, nominate recipients and issue awards based on majority vote.
Applications are due Sept. 1 and have been posted on the council page at www.luzernecounty.org.
Pedri has informed council he is working on a proposal with King’s College and Wilkes University seeking an unspecified portion of the natural gas funding.
Both tax-exempt institutions have expressed a willingness to provide funding and other resources to spruce up and draw more events to the River Common recreational area, which is located along the Susquehanna facing both of their Wilkes-Barre campuses, he said previously.
The idea stemmed from the county’s discussions seeking payments in lieu of real estate taxes from the schools. Pedri has said more investment is warranted in the River Common, which includes an amphitheater and pier. The county’s only other recreational site, the Forty Fort Recreational Complex, is operated by a private entity.
It’s unclear if council members will consider Pedri’s proposal separately or as part of the other applications.
The applications say requests must be under $40,000.
Council members will review applications in September, with plans to award grants in October.
Applicants should direct questions to council clerk Sharon Lawrence at 570-825-1634 or at sharon.lawrence@luzernecounty.org.
