W&J leader joins Federal Reserve agency

Students at Washington & Jefferson College are banking on their school president, Elizabeth MacLeod Walls. So, is the Federal Reserve.

Walls recently joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Southwest Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia Business Advisory Council. The council assists the Cleveland Fed by monitoring the regional economy.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is part of the national Federal Reserve System.

Beth Hammack, president and CEO of the Cleveland Fed, said in a statement that "by design, Cleveland Fed advisory council members come from different industries and geographies across our district."

Each of them brings a unique, near-real-time perspective on how people who live and work in the district are experiencing the economy."

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland has named 33 new members to its advisory councils. The Southwest Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia (panhandle) council are in the Fourth District of Cleveland Fed, which also includes Ohio and eastern Kentucky.

Two other individuals have joined Walls on the Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia council: Benjamin Bush, vice president, Public Affairs, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh; and F. Duffy Hanna, president, Howard Hanna Financial Services, Pittsburgh.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the Federal Reserve System.

The Cleveland Fed has branches in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Five 'Spirit' projects

The Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency has announced five projects that its board of directors recently approved via the American Spirit Grant Program.

The agency said in a news release that these projects amount to more than $100,000 in new local investments "to enhance public spaces, strengthen community identity and celebrate the county's history."

This program, announced last year, dedicates "up to $25,000 per Washington County municipality to support community-driven projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, with the intent of delivering lasting recreational, cultural and tourism benefits in each of the county's local municipalities."

The agency said "applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and all funded projects must be completed by July 4, 2026, to be eligible for reimbursement. To date, 15 projects have been approved by WCTPA totaling $354,750.

The agency said these projects were approved in this round of grant awards:

McDonald Borough plans to complete Phase III of its Heritage Park upgrades, transforming the park into a fully functional tourism and event destination. Targeted improvements include electric service and lighting for the existing bandshell, completion of stage stonework and landscaped buffering to enhance visitor comfort. These final enhancements are intended to enable concerts, festivals and evening programming along the Panhandle and Montour Trail corridor.

Chartiers Township plans to construct a shade structure and seating area at the newly installed pickleball courts in Arnold Park. The project is intended to provide shaded waiting and viewing space for players and spectators, supporting growing demand for pickleball programming, tournaments, and community recreation activities.

Canonsburg Borough plans to advance its Past Meets Present mural project, featuring a large-scale downtown mural celebrating the borough's historical significance and future vision. This public art installation is intended to create a prominent visual landmark and an interactive point of interest for visitors to the downtown business district.

California Borough plans to construct an America 250 Gateway to California, a monument-style welcome sign at the borough's entrance along Wood Street. The lighted gateway would identify California as an America 250 community, enhance community pride, and create a welcoming arrival for residents, PennWest University students, families, and visitors.

Cross Creek Township plans to install a digital welcome and community information sign along the Route 50 corridor. The sign would provide real-time communication for emergency alerts, public meetings, road updates and community events; improving public safety, civic engagement; and visitor information.

Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency, said in a statement: "These projects continue to demonstrate how our municipalities are embracing America 250 as an opportunity to invest in meaningful, community-focused improvements.

"From historic markers and public art to recreation amenities and modern communication tools, this round of grants reflects both the diversity and the shared pride of our communities as we prepare to commemorate this milestone for our country. Washington County is ready to celebrate our history and invest in our future."