Krichels said the conversion would have been more difficult without receiving the grant because of the economic challenge central Pennsylvania faces as well as trying to find funding elsewhere.
"It would have taken a lot longer to get there," he said. "Very few programs are targeted to rural communities like this program is."
Bryon E. Ross, USDA Rural Development state director, said a common misconception is that rural development refers only to farmland. In actuality, farmers make up a small proportion of the population in rural areas.
He said Congress' goal is to aid rural areas with economic development, and the grant given to PSPB is meant to help with this initiative.
"There is more to helping with the quality of life than job creation," he said.
Ross said a total of 16 grants were given out nationwide totaling $15 million.
Bob Schoenfeldt, area director of USDA Rural Development, said the grant selection process was very competitive, and PSPB received the grant because of the way its application was put together.
"It was complete and justified their need for the money," he said.
Schoenfeldt said the money comes from appropriations given by Congress annually to help with rural development programs.
The money is distributed according to rural population and median household income. Larger population and lower income translate into higher financial need and more money from the state, Ross said.
He said Pennsylvania is relatively high on a list of states in financial need, which would aid it in receiving more federal funding.
James E. Selmon, associate administrator for USDA Rural Development, said it is the largest provider of direct loans in the federal government.
"There is a lot of rural area in Pennsylvania in great need of development," he said. "We aim to provide funds to rural residents."
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