$1,272,436 Appropriated by Congress and Signed into Law by President Biden
The Borough of Gettysburg is honored to announce the award of $1,272,436 in Congressionally Directed Funding for the construction of the Gettysburg Welcome Center project.
In February 2023, on behalf of the Borough of Gettysburg, Main Street Gettysburg submitted a Congressional Appropriation Request to both the House and Senate. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and Representative John Joyce, M.D. jointly forwarded the application for Community Project Funding under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the FY2024 Budget.
On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a “minibus” for six appropriations bills including Transportation-HUD, by a 339-85 vote. On Friday, March 8, 2024, the Senate cleared full-year appropriations for those six bills, by a 75-22 vote. President Biden signed the measure into law on March 9, 2024 – clearing the way for the construction of the Gettysburg Welcome Center.
Congressman Joyce personally contacted Gettysburg Borough Manager Gable and Main Street Gettysburg President Sellers to announce the appropriation. Senator Casey’s senior staff also contacted Manager Gable regarding the news. “We are grateful for this generous funding to build a legacy project in the heart of Gettysburg, which will enable the Borough to serve residents and the millions of visitors that come to Gettysburg annually,” said Borough Manager Charles Gable, “and it will be completed in time to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday in July 2026.” The award, combined with local fundraising, will provide for construction to begin later this year in 2024.
The Gettysburg Welcome Center is a $1.5 million public facility project, which will create greater accessibility and walkability throughout the historic district. The project is in the center of downtown and will provide tourism, transportation, event, and volunteer information, as well as public restrooms. Plans include ADA-compliant facilities. The building site at 340 Baltimore Street was generously donated to the Borough for this purpose by Tim Shields, founder of Future Stake, Inc.
To ensure ongoing and perpetual operational sustainability after construction is complete, Main Street Gettysburg has partnered with the Adams County Community Foundation to create an endowment fund. The endowment goal is $1 million.
To donate to the Gettysburg Welcome Center Endowment Fund, contact Main Street Gettysburg at 717-337-3491, or online at www.mainstreetgettysburg.org/donate; or Adams County Community Foundation at 717-337-0060 or online at www.adamscountycf.org.