Somerset County commissioners announce disaster recovery fund plan, make $10K donation

Yahoo

21-05-2025

SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Somerset County commissioners will rely on an advisory board and eight flood-damaged communities when deciding how to spend money from a new disaster recovery fund, they said Tuesday.
The commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to formally create the fund, which was announced Friday and will be overseen by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), according to WTAJ media partners at The Tribune Democrat. The board also pledged $10,000 towards the cause, matching an identical donation made by the CFA.
The CFA will oversee the fund as it grows and gather grant applications from municipalities and local nonprofits within the eight Somerset County communities that have issued disaster declarations in the week since the May 13 floods. The counties include Garrett, Meyersdale, Rockwood and Salisbury boroughs as well as Elk Lick, Greenville, Larimer and Summit townships.
Much of the damage was reported to occur in the area surrounding the Casselman River and several tributaries, including the bridges and low-lying neighborhoods along the corridor. Commissioners Brian Fochtman, Irv Kimmel Jr. and Tokar-Ickes noted that there are ongoing reviews already in place to see what state aid might also be available to help residents and businesses recover from the storm.
The county's disaster relief fund is meant to help cover any 'gaps' that might exist after state aid is approved, Tokar-Ickes added. As time goes on, the county's funding needs will likely become clearer.
A disaster recovery fund committee of six Somerset County residents will review the funding requests submitted by municipal leaders and issue grant awards accordingly. Kimmel noted that the board lacks any elected officials as they are looking to take 'the politics out of it.'
Somerset County officials said their $10,000 pledge is being drawn from the county's hotel tax and Act 13 natural gas revenues, more importantly, not from county tax dollars. Commissioners defended the move after one resident raised questions about the donation while listening to the meeting.
Commissioners added that Tuesday's approval will lay the groundwork for a long-term fund that won't only support southern Somerset County's long-term recovery, but will also help address future, unforeseen disasters in the county.
Additionally, the county's contracted grant writer, Aspire Grant Solutions, noted it will support the eight communities that issued disaster declarations by donating 30 hours each to help them apply for funds to help solve their unique issues.
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