The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority on Tuesday awarded nearly $2 million in grants to 19 community facilities across the county.
The $1.6 million in grant money, part of ECGRA’s Building a Better Future program, aims to support capital improvements, programming and equipment at publicly accessible community centers.
These centers provide Erie County residents with basic health and well-being, job training, mentoring, education, nutrition and a host of other benefits, according to an ECGRA news release.
“The critical role that community facilities play in the community and economic development of a region cannon be overstated,” ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood stated in the release.
“Serving as a hub spot for social, educational, cultural and recreational activities, these facilities have the power to transform neighborhoods creating vibrant, inclusive spaces with long lasting impacts.”
St. Martin Center, Boys & Girls Club of Erie among grant recipients
Grant recipients included the St. Martin Center Inc., which received $75,000. CEO David Gonzalez said the money will go toward critical repairs of the center’s Parade Street facility roof.