Somerset County hires new lobbyist firm to work on acquiring funding for roadway projects
Somerset County will have a new force in Washington, D.C., to fight for funding for road improvement projects in the county.
And that new force has a familiar name to the people of Somerset County.
On Tuesday, Somerset County Commissioners approved an engagement agreement between the county and Squire Patton Boggs LLP of Washington, D.C. The lobbyists will advise and assist Somerset County regarding strategy, planning and advocacy for searching out ways in the 119th Congress to receive federal funding for major infrastructure projects – primarily roadways.
A senior policy advisor for Squire Patton Boggs LLP is Bill Shuster. Shuster served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 9th Congressional District, for more than 17 years. He was first elected in 2001. He was a former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
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During his time in Congress, he promoted economic opportunities across the country. At Squire Patton Boggs LLP, Shuster provides strategic advice and consulting to clients on a wide range of public policy matters, including transportation, infrastructure and local governments.
"Bill Shuster is part of this group. We thought it was the better way to go," Chairman Brian Fochtman said after the meeting. "They will be our voice down there (in Washington, D.C.)."
According to the Squire Patton Boggs LLP's website, the company provides clients with insight at the point where law, business and government meet, giving them a voice, supporting their ambitions and achieving successful outcomes. The group will be able to provide information on funding streams, when applications have to be filed and what legislation is forthcoming, the commissioners said. And they said Bill Shuster understands the process.
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"We spoke with Bill Shuster before the end of the year. He's very excited to be working on the project again," said Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes after the meeting. "We feel pretty good about the team, so let's get this job done."
She said she doesn't think anyone can be credited with efforts made for the area as much as Bill Shuster.
Squire Patton Boggs will begin March 1, for a period of 10 months ending Dec. 31, at a fee of $12,500 per month plus expenses. Tokar-Ickes said that's about the same as what the county was paying Pendulum Strategies LLC and Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, the previous lobbyists. That contract expired in 2023.
Commissioner Irv Kimmel said Shuster's family has been in the transportation section of the federal government for a long time.
"It gives us a direct connection with the Department of Transportation," Kimmel said. "We're hoping that will have a positive effect on getting 219 done, and other roads, too. We are still fighting for funds allocated to the Appalachian Region Highway."
Tokar-Ickes said with the period of transition between the former Democrat-led to now Republican-led government administration, "we have more questions than answers about what federal funds will be continued."
She said also because of the transition from U.S. Sen. Bob Casey to Sen. Dave McCormick, the county needs to rebuild a team for Route 219 to get it finished. Commissioners said they haven't received any contact from McCormick yet.
"It has become about building relationships. Success is based on relationships, not just with elected officials but with all those who work in federal agencies. We need to get the best team together," Tokar-Ickes said. "This is our last best chance of getting the last six miles connected."
More: Route 219, ATV Trail, county airport all on commissioners' to do list for 2025
The commissioners also approved a contract with ATCS, PLC, headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, a private engineering consulting firm that provides services in transportation, construction and the environment, for the annual bridge inspections on the Great Allegheny Passage. The inspections will assist the county in making sure all structures are in safe condition for their intended use.
Bridge inspection fees for 2025 will be $55,727. This will also include consultation on the Rockwood Trailhead project, which will be billed at the hourly rate of $110 to $175 per hour for engineering consultation on an as-needed basis. The trailhead project involves a right of way the trailhead will share with a new quarry business off Rockdale Road.
Kimmel said the quarry business will probably be here long term, at least 30 years.
Tokar-Ickes said engineers from the county, quarry, Rockwood borough and municipal authorities will address the safety and possible relocation of part of the trail, to make sure the county's interests are addressed.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Lobbyists to help county look for funding for road projects
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