Stout, Reps Tout Local Land Conveyances

HARRISBURG, June 10, 2010 - - State Sen. J. Barry Stout joined state Reps. Jesse White and Bill DeWeese in announcing that two bills conveying land in Greene and Washington Counties have cleared the state Senate.

Stout’s bill, Senate Bill 987, will convey 67.8 acres of land in Cecil Township to the Washington County Authority for the further development of Southpointe II. The Washington County Authority will pay the state Department of General Services $615,000 for the rights to these tracts of land.

In addition, Senate Bill 904 was amended to allow the transfer of the Waynesburg Armory property to Waynesburg University for $170,000. Upon approval, Waynesburg University plans to use the property as part of the college campus.

“I am very pleased that we were able to move these two much-needed land conveyances through the legislative process,” Stout said. “We will be able to further an already successful economic development project in Washington County and potentially allow Waynesburg University to continue to improve and upgrade its facilities.”

“Senate Bill 987 will help facilitate the proposed Cool Valley development which will ultimately create thousands of sustainable-wage jobs for our region and expand the small business community,” White added. “This is a win-win for the people of Washington County.”

Senate Bill 987 now awaits Governor Rendell’s signature, while Senate Bill 904 was amended and returned to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

“Although the old armory has a storied and significant past, putting the property into the hands of nearby Waynesburg University holds the best promise for it to have a viable future,” DeWeese said.

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