Published: October 05, 2009 11:26 pm      

Portage area communities poised to hire grant writer

PORTAGE — A northern Cambria County man who led a nonprofit development corporation for 20 years is being eyed by three communities in the hopes he can help them find state and federal money for a number of initiatives.

Portage Borough Council planned Monday to adopt a resolution laying the ground work to contract with Decoplan Associates LLC of Patton, founded by Jerry Brant, former president of NORCAM, now the Northern Cambria County Development Corp.

About a half-dozen issues raised by Portage Solicitor Michael Emerick delayed the action, but only until some areas are addressed, said council President Sharon McCarthy.

“Today, with things the way they are, you have to have everything clarified,” she said. “You see that we’re moving forward.”

Brant will work on behalf of the borough, Portage Township and Cassandra Borough, three communities that have formed a regional alliance.

He will be paid $500 a month, plus 1 percent of any grants he brings to the regional alliance, any of the municipalities or nonprofit organizations.

His stipend will come from each municipality’s general fund based on population, McCarthy said.

Brant, 56, left the Northern Cambria-based organization last year.

He was one of three applicants.

Portage Township and Cassandra planned to act Wednesday, but may delay action pending clarifications.