ECC Groundbreaking Ceremony 7.11.2025
- Robert Tuñón
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Updates from the Etna Center for Community
Friday, July 11, 2025
ECC Groundbreaking Ceremony. Video by Robert Tuñón; Photos by James Robinson, PA Senate Democratic Caucus, and Alyse Horn, Triboro Ecodistrict / New Sun Rising. Music by Turnique.
The Etna Community Organization (ECO) was joined by Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Congressman Chris Deluzio, State Senator Lindsey Williams, State Representative Lindsay Powell, and Etna Borough officials for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the Etna Center for Community. In April 2025, ECO awarded a $4.2 million construction contract to Volpatt Construction. Once complete, the Etna Center for Community will include a new public library on the ground floor, flexible community spaces, a shared courtyard, and residential apartments on the upper floors.
Etna Center for Community Groundbreaking Ceremony. From left to right: ECO Executive Director Megan Tuñón, ECO President Bridget Barrett, Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage, Lt. Governor Austin Davis, Mayor Robert Tuñón, State Senator Lindsey Williams, Congressman Chris Deluzio, State Rep. Lindsay Powell. Photo by James Robinson, PA Senate Democratic Caucus.
“It’s a great day here in Etna,” reflected Lt. Governor Davis. “The Etna Center for Community is going to have a huge positive impact not just in Etna but throughout our entire region.”
“It's great to see so many Etna leaders and community members here today as this is a team effort,” said Congressman Deluzio, who helped secure $3 million in federal funding for the library’s construction.. “You guys really did all the work to put us in a position to deliver some help.”
“I’m so proud to represent the people of Etna,” said Senator Williams, a longtime supporter of the project. “You’re a community that listens to the needs of its residents and acts to provide support to its neighbors. That’s how projects like this become a reality.” Williams has helped secure more than $2.7 million in state funds for the library’s development, including a $1.5 million grant through Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
“This is what ‘community’ looks like. This is what true believing in your neighbor looks like,” said Representative Powell. “I am so grateful to be a part of a community that believes there can be better for their neighbors, that believes that there can be better for their children, and their children’s children to come.”
Photos by James Robinson, PA Senate Democratic Caucus.
“Few spaces can meet the educational, social, and economic needs of a community like a library and community center,” said ECO Executive Director Megan Tuñón. “What you see behind me might look a little bit like a hot mess right now, but we’ve assembled an amazing team of designers, engineers, and contractors to build a state-of-the-art facility that will bring opportunities and resources that Etna residents truly deserve.”
ECO Board President Bridget Barrett closed the ceremony with words of gratitude for those speaking at the event, joining in the audience, and working on the project: “I’m so appreciative of everyone who joined us today,” said Barrett. “Your presence here today shows our support from the local level – from our Borough Council, Mayor, and Borough Manager – all the way up to the state and federal governments. Without all of you, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Following the ceremony, attendees were invited on a hard hat tour to view completed work from the project’s initial phases, including abatement and selective demolition.
Construction is expected to be completed in Winter 2025-2026, with ECO planning to open the center’s doors to the public in Spring 2026.
