Dinniman Announces $1.5 Million for New Library, Senior Center Facilities
Funds to Go for Projects in Downingtown, Phoenixville and Spring City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2008

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS                
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
mindars@pasenate.com

WEST CHESTER (Nov. 6) – State Senator Andrew Dinniman announced $500,000 in state funding to help Downingtown build a library/senior center and $500,000 each to Phoenixville and Spring City to help with their library construction plans.

Dinniman said the goal of the $1.5 million in total funding is not only to cover part of the three projects’ construction costs but also to support officials’ ongoing fund-raising efforts.

“These funds will lay a great foundation for or greatly assist these three projects’ capital campaigns,” Dinniman said. “Libraries and senior centers play vital roles in our communities, and that’s never more true than during difficult economic times such as these.”

“Our senior population is growing, as is our use of libraries,” Dinniman added. “These communities are responding to their growing needs, and I’m glad to be able to help them.”

In March, the Downingtown Area Senior Center and the Downingtown Public Library announced a $3.5 million plan to renovate an existing structure on the old Sonoco Paper Factory property and turn it into a new 20,000 square-foot senior center and library near the intersection of Route 322 and Boot Road. The new facility will be part of the planned River Station development.

Funding for the project to expand the Phoenixville Public Library is in its early stages. The specific plans for the addition will be determined by local officials.

Spring City library officials have already raised significant funds and identified a location for their planned new library.

Dinniman received word on Friday that funds had been approved for the projects from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, the overall budget for which was approved by the General Assembly and governor in July.

For more details, contact Martin Indars in Senator Dinniman’s office at 1-717-787-5709 or mindars@pasenate.com.

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