The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Shimshock said without infrastructure such as sewer and water lines, townships can't attract businesses. The announcement that a new prison was coming to the township came earlier this year.

With the 700 new positions at the site, which may be named the State Correctional Institution at German, state employees who work there can have careers instead of jobs.

"They are family-sustaining jobs," Shimshock said.

He added that the township's largest employer now is either Hranec Corp., Anthony Crane or Brodak's Shop 'N Save supermarket, which employ 30 or 40 people each.

"It is definitely an economic boost to German Township," Shimshock said.

He added that Masontown would benefit as well.

As a result of the new jobs and additional traffic, upgrades to Route 21 and a new Masontown Bridge will likely follow, Shimshock said.

"I haven't heard any negative comments," Shimshock said.

The potential location of the new prison has been narrowed to two sites, Shimshock said.

Earlier this week Shimshock and fellow supervisors Bob Belch and Bob Croushore hosted state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg; state Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar; Elizabeth O'Reilly, deputy secretary for public works with the state Department of General Services, and two staff engineers to look at two proposed prison sites.

Shimshock said the two sites are located behind Brodak's Shop 'N Save on Route 21 and near the township building on Route 166 and are owned by the Wolf and Tiberi families, respectively. He said they are within a half a mile of each other.

O'Reilly said she and two staff engineers accompanying her obtained all the information they need to proceed with the selection of the site of the new prison to be built in German Township. Touring the two properties were O'Reilly; Gary Taylor, director of the Bureau of Engineering and Architecture; and Dan Weinzierl, director of construction.

Shimshock said others who were included in the meeting were Barb McMillen of the Rural Utility Service and representatives of Widmer Engineering and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority.

"We are looking at millions of dollars in infrastructure, both water and municipal sewage, that this area will receive as a result of the prison's construction," said DeWeese, whose efforts have resulted in the construction of the prison.

In addition to the infrastructure, DeWeese said the local economy will immediately benefit from building the prison, which is anticipated to cost $200 million. Materials, including concrete, asphalt and stone, will be obtained locally, infusing those dollars as well as construction employees' wages into the local economy.

Once opened, the new facility will employ about 700. The current starting salary for a corrections officer is $29,815, with 3 percent increases starting this year.

"These are family sustaining, recession-proof, out-sourcing proof jobs," said DeWeese.

Kasunic summarized the work session succinctly.

"This is another forward step in a project that will provide an excellent economic benefit to Fayette County," he said.

O'Reilly said she anticipates that the final site will be selected around Thanksgiving. Geo-technical work will be conducted and design-build contracts will follow. The anticipated opening of the facility is 2012.

Two other state prisons are currently located in DeWeese's legislative district - SCI-Greene in Franklin Township, Greene County, and SCI-Fayette in Luzerne Township.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2280&dept_id=480247&newsid=20174177