The Lackawanna Heritage Valley announces August grant awards

Robert Savakinus, chair of the Board of Directors of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHV), announced that five grants and sponsorships totaling $12,200 were awarded to local organizations at the meeting of August 23.

The Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates received a $5,500 grant for the Fall Heritage Event Series to be held at the Scranton Iron Furnaces. The series, to be held in September and October, will feature five events that will educate the community about the history of the Iron Furnaces and the cultures of the people in the Lackawanna Valley.

The Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which manages the northern component of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail system, was awarded a $3,700 grant to purchase and install an entrance gate for the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Rail-Trail in Fell Township. The gate will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to use the trail, and it will restrict access for trucks, cars, and ATVs. The gate has a U-bar that is removable in the winter to allow access for snowmobiles.

Three organizations received $1,000 sponsorship grants from LHV, including the Jewish Discovery Center-Chabad of the Abingtons, Inc., for the "Jewish Food Festival;" the Scranton Jazz Festival for its weekend jazz event that was held in early August; and the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor for the Eastern Pennsylvania Greenways and Trail Summit scheduled for October.

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) provides grant funding to partner organizations for projects to promote historic preservation, cultural conservation, community trails, environmental education, interpretive programming, place-based education, and community and economic development. The Authority oversees this funding investment in Northeastern Pennsylvania to stimulate the region's economic development, to bolster tourism initiatives, to strengthen the capacity of community organizations, and to enhance the quality of life for area residents.

LHV's grants program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service. For more information about the grant program, visit www.LHVA.org under "Grants," or contact April Rogato, LHV Executive Assistant, at (570) 963-6730 extension 8200 or [email protected].