(Photo Courtesy of US Army Corp of Engineers)

PITTSBURGH – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District released its Fiscal Year 2021 Work Plan for the Army Civil Works program, Jan. 19.

The work plan will allow the Pittsburgh District to initiate construction activities on the Upper Ohio Navigation project. The project will receive Construction appropriations of $22 million in Fiscal Year 2021. 

“Appropriate funding of the Upper Ohio projects will ensure the region is prepared for increases in industry, when and if it happens, while maintaining and improving our vital water resource infrastructure,” said Col. Andrew “Coby” Short, commander, Pittsburgh District.

This project was authorized for Construction in 2016 and began receiving funding in 2017 to perform preconstruction engineering and design activities. Funding provided under this Construction appropriation will allow more in-depth design analysis, acquisition of real estate, and the ability to solicit for and award the first, moderately sized construction contract at the Montgomery Locks, near Monaca, Pennsylvania.

“If the district receives appropriate funding in subsequent fiscal years, it could award a major lock construction contract for a new and larger river chamber lock at Montgomery Locks and Dam in the 2023 timeframe,” said Stephen Fritz, mega-projects program manager, Pittsburgh District.

The Upper Ohio Navigation project will provide safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable navigation on the Upper Ohio River, a significant portion of the nation’s extensive inland waterways navigation system. The project includes substantial recapitalization at the Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery locks and dams, the oldest and smallest navigation facilities on the Ohio River.

“Due to condition and age, these facilities have an increased likelihood of unscheduled closures and potential failures that could shut down the river to navigation, causing significant economic impacts to the region,” said Fritz. “The project addresses reliability concerns by replacing the aging and deteriorated 56-foot wide by 360-foot long, auxiliary chamber at each of these locks and dams with new 110-foot wide by 600-foot long primary chambers.”

The inland navigation system is a crucial contributor to national and regional economic development. Waterborne transportation is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means for moving bulk commodities, such as grain, coal, and petroleum products.

Over the next 50 years, the Upper Ohio River locks are estimated to facilitate the transport of 15 to 20 million tons of commodities annually, providing average annual benefits of nearly $150 million to the nation. Regionally, construction is expected to support more than 21,000 full-time jobs, and transportation of commodities through Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery is expected to support 3,800 full-time jobs annually.

Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland and southwestern New York. Our jurisdiction includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways, 23 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose reservoirs, 42 local flood protection projects and other projects to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources, infrastructure, and environment.

The district’s additional missions include water supply, emergency response, and regulation of the Clean Water Act. The Corps often partners with local communities to improve water supply, sanitary sewer, and stormwater infrastructure. During disasters, the district manages the nation’s emergency power contract which provides temporary power to downed critical infrastructure. District personnel deploy overseas to help build, manage, and administer water resource infrastructure projects.

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Know.Take.Wear. Know the waterways. Take a safety course. Wear your life jacket.

Biden’s inauguration goes off with no security issues
By BEN FOX, COLLEEN LONG and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden was safely sworn in as president in a Washington on edge. There were a few scattered arrests but no major protests or serious disruptions in the city during the inauguration ceremony, which took place just two weeks after rioters loyal to former President Donald Trump besieged the U.S. Capitol. Law enforcement officials contended not only with the potential for outside threats but also with rising concerns about an insider attack. Authorities monitored members of far-right extremist and militia groups, increasingly concerned about the risk they could stream into Washington and spark violent confrontations.

Next up: $730M Powerball prize after no Mega Millions winner
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thanks to math and bad luck, lottery players have another shot at a giant jackpot as a $730 million Powerball prize is on the line. The Powerball jackpot up for grabs Wednesday night is the fifth-largest ever. It will come only a day after nobody won the even-larger Mega Millions prize, which now stands at $970 million. It’s the first time both lottery jackpots have topped $700 million. No one has won either of the jackpots since mid-September, allowing the prizes to grow steadily for months. The long stretch without a winner reflects the incredibly small odds of winning — one in 292.2 million for Powerball and one in 302.5 million for Mega Millions.

Trump bids farewell to Washington, hints of comeback
By JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — His term at an end, President Donald Trump has said farewell to Washington. Trump has arrived in Florida in the last hour of his presidency, skipping Joe Biden’s inauguration. Before departing, Trump spoke to supporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he walked across a red carpet and boarded Air Force One. He said: “So just a goodbye. We love you.” And the 45th president added, “We will be back in some form.” . Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in Florida just as the inauguration ceremony was getting underway at the Capitol.

Biden takes the helm as president: ‘Democracy has prevailed’
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and ALEXANDRA JAFFE Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has sworn the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States, declaring that “democracy has prevailed.” He takes the helm of a deeply divided nation and inherit a confluence of crises arguably greater than any faced by his predecessors. But there were comforting signs of tradition for the hallowed American democratic rite now underway at a U.S. Capitol battered by an insurrectionist siege just two weeks ago. On a chilly Washington day dotted with snow flurries, a bipartisan trio of ex-presidents along with the elite of nation’s government gathered for the ceremony.

The County Commissioners met Wednesday morning at the courthouse for their weekly work session.  The leading issue being discussed was the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine.  Commissioner Jack Manning vented his frustrations about speed of distribution in our area compared to other nearby states, where they are following a different process. Manning said, “I just feel frustrated, that particularly here in Beaver County, we haven’t had the doses to put in peoples arms as quickly”.  The commissioners also clarified that they do not have control in determining who receives the vaccine.  Commissioner Dan Camp stated “the hospitals are the ones who administer these vaccines, not the county”.

Listen to their statements here:

 

Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Knoll, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of workplace and residential furniture with a longtime presence in the commonwealth, is relocating a manufacturing line from Michigan to Pennsylvania and expanding its footprint in the commonwealth. This project will create at least 138 new, full-time jobs and will position the company for future growth in the state.

“Knoll’s move and expansion plans demonstrate its continuing commitment to maintaining a presence in our commonwealth,” Gov. Wolf said. “I’m pleased that Knoll has recognized the talent that our workforce has to offer and has chosen to continue its growth in Pennsylvania.”

Knoll is taking a three-step relocation approach in its expansion effort, which was initiated in 2020 and is continuing through 2021. First, the company has relocated its textile team from East Greenville to a new 57,000-square-foot facility in Quakertown. Next, the company has relocated a manufacturing line from its Michigan facility to its East Greenville facility. Finally, it will relocate and expand its Allentown mixing center facility to a site close to the East Greenville location. Knoll expects to grow its mixing center from 300,000 square feet to 500,000 square feet within the next three years.

“Since our founders established our first manufacturing operations in East Greenville during the 1940s, Knoll has been committed to this area and the skilled workforce it offers,” said Chris Baldwin, COO & President, Knoll Workplace. “We are pleased to partner with Governor Wolf and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to expand our presence once again.”

Knoll received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $425,000 Pennsylvania First grant, $276,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation of the new jobs, and $82,800 in funding for job training. The company has pledged to invest at least $6.8 million into the project and has committed to creating at least 138 jobs and retain an additional 920 jobs over the next three years.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.

Knoll works with architects and designers, as well as commercial, education, health care and government organizations worldwide to create inspired modern interiors. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes open plan and private office furniture, ergonomic and lounge seating, modular storage, textiles, and accessories.

For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.