The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7 approved a resolution authorizing county staff to draft a letter of intent offering $600,000 to the diocese to purchase the St. Joseph Worker Church campus at 1111 South Cascade Street in New Castle.

Commissioner Dan Kennedy (first reference as Commissioner Kennedy) told the board the item is an initial step in a longer process and that the county has been examining options for additional county space and services for more than a year. The letter of intent would offer $600,000 and seek the diocese’s response; the county solicitor reviewed the proposed steps, commissioners said.

The resolution includes a condition to preserve the diocese-run food bank on the property for at least 18 months and to continue dialog about the program’s needs if additional time is required. Commissioners and staff said any renovations would be addressed later, that the county has capital available to purchase the property rather than financing it, and that renovation costs would likely be repaid through the funding streams of organizations occupying the building rather than the county’s general fund.

County officials noted the property lies within the city limits of New Castle and is near the Shenango Township line. Commissioners said detailed professional services for inspection, renovation planning and financing will be procured after a response from the diocese and consistent with solicitor guidance.

The board approved Resolution 319 by roll call; the vote authorized staff to begin the letter-of-intent process but did not finalize any purchase or renovation contracts.