BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Commissioners announced their support for three projects Tuesday in an attempt to bring more state and federal funding to Centre County.

The letters of support accompany grant applications for a regional transit study, garden space at the county’s largest nursing home and restoration of the Historic Bellefonte Train Station.

Nittany Valley

Regional Transit Study

One letter supports the Bellefonte Area Public Transit Task Force’s proposed Nittany Valley Regional Transit Study.

The task force is seeking funding through the Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Unified Planning Work Program to finance the study, which would evaluate barriers to public transit locally and potential regional transportation opportunities.

The study would include Bellefonte Borough as well as Spring, Benner, Walker and Marion townships.

The task force said the study would support the county’s long-range transportation plan, which was adopted last year.

“The commissioners are in support of assisting greater Bellefonte with this issue,” Commissioner Mark Higgins said.

Centre Care Garden Space

The county is also backing Centre Care’s plan to develop two therapeutic garden spaces at its Bellefonte facility.

The nonprofit skilled nursing care community is requesting about $443,700 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for the project, which would create dedicated outdoor spaces for residents and staff.

The request represents the facility’s preliminary budget for construction, landscaping, design elements and management of the gardens.

Centre Care hopes to create a therapeutic garden space for residents, which would be outfitted with rubber surfacing to allow residents to safely use the space. It would include outdoor exercise equipment, benches and mobility and balance aids, and be surrounded by trees, shrubs and perennials.

A separate staff garden would consist of an open-air patio with planting beds, a pergola, birdbath and other calming water features.

“That’s for their staff to go out and take a break in a tranquil environment,” said Natalie Corman, Centre County deputy administrator.

Commissioner Amber Concepcion said, “This sounds really nice both for the residents and the staff.”

Historic Bellefonte Train Station

The final letter supports the Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania, Inc.’s Partnership Grant application through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for funding to restore and preserve the Historic Bellefonte Train Station.

Constructed in the late 19th century, “the Bellefonte Train Station played a vital role in the transportation of timber and agricultural products, and later served as a hub for passenger travel,” said Corman.

It now acts as a visitor center and “gateway to the community,” where visitors can learn about Bellefonte’s heritage. Typically on weekdays, a Happy Valley Adventure Bureau staff member is there to answer visitors’ questions.

The funding will support the visitor center’s ongoing tourism and education efforts.

“It’s historically significant, but at the same time it’s an elder building in the community, so it requires a lot of TLC, and I’m sure that’s what they are looking to provide here, so I’m happy to support it,” said Commissioner Steve Dershem. “I think it’s fantastic.”

Higgins noted that, last year, thousands of riders departed from the station thanks to the reinvigorated Historic Bellefonte Railroad, but that the station “needs some love and care.”

“I think, really, it’s a good use of funds if we were able to get this grant because the Bellefonte Train Station houses and serves as a home base for a number of local organizations,” said Concepcion. “When people come into the Bellefonte area as tourists, or are looking for things to do, that’s a great stop to get pamphlets and resources on the Bellefonte area.”