Charleroi Updated On Economic Recovery Plan

The Charleroi Borough Council was updated by financial consultant Dennis Martinak on the progress of the Borough’s participation in the commonwealth’s Strategic Management Planning Program. The STMP is an early intervention program that allows municipalities to hire financial consultants to help guide them through difficult financial times. Council president Mark Alterici made clear that no borough tax dollars are being spent on this project. All monies are coming from grants from the commonwealth. Early indications from the report suggest that the Charleroi is not as bad off financially as people feared when the program started 18 months ago. Charleroi, like all of western Pennsylvania is suffering a population decline, but with companies moving into nearby municipalities like Speers and Allenport, Charleroi could benefit from those new jobs. Borough Council President Mark Alterici impressed upon council the need to welcome the idea of regionalization and disregard the rigid borders that have impeded progress in the Monongahela River Valley.