Washington Airport Gets $1.2 Million for Repairs

When we talk about transportation infrastructure, we usually focus on roads and bridges. But as industries look at southwestern Pennsylvania to open new facilities or expand, air travel is one of their needs.

That’s why it’s good news that Washington County Airport will be receiving $1.2 million in state and federal funding for improvements and repairs.

With the region’s economy growing, keeping our airports growing is a priority. Air transportation is an important part of our long-term planning as we continue to attract the attention of large corporations and the jobs that come with them.

The state portion of the grant comes from PennDOT’s Aviation Development Program and is funded through a tax on jet fuel. The airport will use the money to buy land and remove obstructions that limit the length of the main runway as well as to repair cracks on the runway surface.

The 401-acre airport in South Franklin Township is home to more than 80 aircraft, 44 hangars and seven aviation businesses.

Firefighters Get Bookkeeping Help

State Auditor General Jack Wagner is offering managment seminars for firefighter relief organizations, including one on May 24 in Carmichaels.

Most firefighters spend a lot of time in different types of training, but usually not for law and accounting. That’s why state Auditor General Jack Wagner is putting together a series of free management training seminars for voluntary firefighter’s relief organizations.

These seminars can help prevent financial complications for local organizations that are undermanned and trying to keep up with their bookkeeping as well as their emergency calls.

The two-hour evening workshops are taught by staff members from the Department of the Auditor General and provide first-hand training in administrative procedures and relief association management. 

One of the seminars will be held at the Carmichaels Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m.

Auditors at the workshop will teach proper record-keeping and discuss common audit findings. They will also review and distribute copies of the 2012 edition of the Department’s Management Guidelines for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations manual. 

Guidelines are also available on the Department of the Auditor General website: www.auditorgen.state.pa.us.

In 2011, the Department of the Auditor General disbursed more than $112.7 million to 1,955 local VFRAs in the commonwealth.  Funds are primarily used to offer financial protection to volunteer emergency service personnel against any disability which might occur during participation in the fire service, as well as to purchase fire equipment, and to pay training expenses.

For information on future training sessions, call the Bureau of Firefighters’ Relief Association Audits at (717) 787-2543, or email dwhite@auditorgen.state.pa.us.

Older Americans Month

The Greene County Commissioners proclaimed May Older Americans Month, joining agencies across the county in celebrating the contributions seniors make to their communities. For more information about Older Americans Month, click here.

Job Fair Connects Workers, Employers

Anyone shopping for a job should visit Tanger Outlets on Thursday, May 24, when merchants will be holding a job fair.

Merchants will have a table outside of their stores, during this period of time to recruit people, have applications available to fill out and to conduct informal interviews. Positions available are full, part time, seasonal and for management and non-management.The job fair runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.  For more information click here.

More Job News:

The Tri-County Oil and Gas Committee, along with CareerLinks of Greene, Washington and Fayette counties and the Mon Valley are hosting the Tri-County Energy Job Fair on June 8 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg.

The job fair is designed to focus on career opportunities and to match job seekers with employers. The fair will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and participation is free to employers and job seekers.

Employers will be able to accept applications and resumes, offer information about positions currently available and interview for part-time or full-time positions. We encourage you to provide information that promotes your business.

Employers can reserve a space by clicking here.  Questions can be directed to Barbara Cole at 724-852-2900, ext. 229.

Help for Veterans Looking for Employment

Military veterans looking for employment can locate jobs through the convenience of their home computers.  These “virtual” career fairs are targeted toward particular service members or particular companies.

Upcoming events:

•  May 30 Virtual Military Career Fair. The event will start at noon. To sign-up, visit www.brazenconnect.com/event/corp_gray_main_may_30

• July 18-19 Virtual Military Career Fair for Marines. Marines must sign-up in advance at http://www.brazenconnect.com/event/marines_main_july_18_19