Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta Trumbull County Commissioner Tony Bernard, far left, and Trumbull County Commission President Rick Hernandez, far right, stand with Howland American Legion Post 700 members Ed Doughtery, U.S. Army, of Niles, left; Roger Stanley, U.S. Air Force, of Warren, center; and Commander John Turner, U.S. Army, of Howland, right, after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the remodeled SCOPE center in Howland. American Legion Post 700 meets at the senior center.

HOWLAND — After months of construction and anticipation, Howland SCOPE officially reopened Thursday with a ribbon-cutting at the renovated John D. Emmanuel Senior Center, 8273 High St.

The senior center, which had a soft reopening in May, welcomed back community members, local leaders and SCOPE supporters to celebrate a $300,000 upgrade funded primarily through Community Development Block Grants.

“The center was closed Feb. 10 to May 10 of this year and nine months prior it was closed,” said Yvonne Reventlow, manager of Howland SCOPE.

The shutdowns were for preparation and construction on the parking lot, entrances for easier access for seniors, kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, office updates and new flooring.

Though the majority of the construction took 90 days, Reventlow said, “I moved three times.” During the building’s closure, Howland SCOPE members met at various locations throughout the township.

Trumbull County Commission President Rick Hernandez praised the project and reaffirmed the commissioners’ commitment to local seniors.

“Commissioner Bernard, Commissioner Malloy and I see great value in these facilities,” Hernandez said.

“There was a lot of controversy about SCOPE centers in general and cutting the funding,” he said.”We will not be cutting anything. We will continue to maintain for our seniors, and we are working on some unique ideas for the seniors.”

A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded the renovations.

“We were happy to see that our project ranked number one in the applications for the CDBG money,” said Mike Wilson, SCOPE director.

Hernandez noted that the total investment for the project was just under $300,000.

“In 2023, the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners dedicated $173,000 from our 2023 CDBG allocation program and another $46,500 from the CDBG revolving loan fund to pay for renovations that were completed here by DeSalvo Construction,” he said.

The $219,500 expenditure included painting, HVAC and electrical upgrades, flooring, plumbing and other work.

An additional $17,000 of CDBG funding purchased kitchen equipment from A&M Restaurant and Supplies. This phase of the project upgraded the range, refrigerator and freezer, and included a dishwasher, work table and a sanitizing station.

“Miller-Yount Paving Inc. of Bazetta completed the parking lot improvements for a total cost of just under $60,000. It was also paid from the CDBG allocation program,” Hernandez said.

Commissioner Tony Bernard pointed out that the board is committed to expanding whatever services they can for Trumbull County seniors.

“Approximately 30% of the population in Trumbull County is aged 60 and older, which numbers about 60,000 people. This is one of many projects that the board of commissioners have financed to improve and promote our seniors’ physical and mental wellbeing, social interaction and access to vital community resources,” Bernard said.

Bernard thanked the engineering firm, GPD Group, which provided technical assistance for the project. CDBG funds paid for their services.

Bernard thanked former Howland Township trustee Darlene St. George, and former Trumbull County commissioners Frank Fuda, Mauro Cantalamessa and Niki Frenchko, who initiated the process for the remodeling of the Howland SCOPE facility.

Howland Township Trustee Chairman Dr. James Lapolla stated, “This is not just a ribbon cutting. This is a celebration of the next chapter of Howland SCOPE.”