Blair seeks $1 million to fund Fort Roberdeau upgrades

County applies for America250PA initiative grant money

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County's recent grant application for as much $1 million in improvements at Fort Roberdeau is one of 18 regional projects vying for money not yet available.

Commissioners recently approved Fort Roberdeau Director Glenn Nelson's request to seek anticipated funding through the America250PA initiative in recognition of the nation's semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary in 2026.

If awarded, the county's grant application proposes acquisition of a replica cannon like one that would have been at the Revolutionary War era fort, which the county rebuilt in 1976 in recognition of the nation's 200th anniversary.

Other proposed uses of the Amerca250PA grant dollars include an expansion of the fort's parking area, improved walkways, improvements to the barn and building a cabin, all projects that have been under consideration.

Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, told the Altoona Mirror on Friday that the Infrastructure Improvements and Projects Committee -- composed of 24 appointed senators and state representatives -- has three more hearings this month to finish a series of 12 hearings on the proposed projects.

Coleman said plans call for identifying the top five projects in each of the state's six regions to consider for funding. In Region 3 that includes Blair County, she said 18 grant applications were submitted, including ones on behalf of the Blair County Historical Society and the Railroaders Memorial Museum, in addition to Fort Roberdeau.

The other Region 3 counties are Bedford, Huntingdon, Fulton, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Franklin, Cumberland, Adams, Dauphin, Lebanon and York.

Coleman also said that while House Bill 1952 set up the groundwork to solicit projects for the semiquincentennial, no funding source was included, so money will need to be identified later.

When Blair County commissioners approved Nelson's grant application, Commissioner Amy Webster praised Nelson for fast work in meeting the grant submission deadline.

"Anything they give us would be wonderful," Webster said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.