WAYNESBURG - Greene County commissioners visited Washington, D.C. Monday to meet with several U.S. senators and representatives to lobby for federal funding that, if approved, would be used for several ongoing county projects during the current fiscal year.

Commissioners Pam Snyder, Dave Coder and Archie Trader spent Monday meeting with Pennsylvania legislators and their staff, including US. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, and Democratic U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Robert Casey Jr.

The commissioners' trip occurred as President Barack Obama released his $3.8 trillion proposed federal budget, which has to be approved by Congress.

According to Snyder, who serves as the chair of the board of commissioners, discussions between the parties centered on the commissioners' $6.7 million list of key projects for Greene County, all of which "will improve infrastructure and enhance the general quality of life for county residents," she said.

Snyder said the commissioners make the trip to the nation's capital each year to meet with dignitaries in the hopes of securing funding. However, they did not make the trip last year because no federal money was appropriated.

"We recognize that no federal earmarks were given in 2009," Snyder said. "However, we are hopeful that this year federal funds will be released and Greene County can receive much-needed funding for some integral projects."

Snyder said most of the projects have been "on the front burner" for several years.

"It is very critical for Greene County to be in the mix if money is appropriated this year," she stressed.

The list of projects and requested funding presented by the commissioners Monday includes:

n $500,000 for site preparation and development of an aviation-related business park at the Greene County Airport.

n $500,000 for upgrades to the Dry Tavern Sewage Authority treatment plant's electrical system, water tower and delivery lines. This would be the final phase in this project.

n $1 million for improvements at the interchange of Interstate 79 and Locust Road in Mount Morris to support the development of Meadow Ridge Business Park.

n $4 million for improvements at the intersection of Route 21 and Oak Forest Road in Franklin Township.

n $700,000 for the development of the next leg of the Greene River Trail in Cumberland Township. Jake Blaker, director of the county's department of recreation, said the next phase is expected to be up to 2.8 miles in length and will run from Crucible Ferry to Jessop Boat Club. If and when funding for the project is earmarked, Blaker said he hopes to see construction on the next leg begin by the end of 2010.

Snyder called the one-day trip to Washington, D.C. "exhausting but very productive."

"We were pleased to hear that Greene County was well-represented and that we were really prepared for our meeting," she said. "Now, it's a situation of 'hurry-up-and-wait' to see what happens next in the process. We're waiting with bated breath."

Snyder said she believes that Greene County has a "good shot" of securing some federal funding if it becomes available.

"I know one thing: Representative Murtha and Senators Specter and Casey will do anything they can to help Greene County," she said. "They have always been good to this county, and I have no reason to think they won't continue to be."

Funding will be released upon finalization of the federal budget, which could take several months.

The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

To view the proposed federal budget, visit online at www.whitehouse.gov/omb.

(Messenger Editor Steve Barrett contributed to this story.)