BELLEFONTE — State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) announced this week more than $1.6 million in grants he has secured for recipients in Centre and Mifflin County — including funding to assist in reopening Kepler Pool in Bellefonte.

“These statewide grant programs are vital tools for municipalities as they seek to improve or repair infrastructure or meet other unique needs,” said Benninghoff. “The grants are very competitive and the projects that are funded will improve the quality of life in local communities.”

The list of grants awarded includes funding to renovate and reopen Bellefonte’s Kepler Community Pool. The Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, which owns the pool, will receive $200,000 through the Local Share Account (LSA) grant program and $4,500 from the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).

“I applaud and support the authority’s continued effort to bring back the pool for the Bellefonte community,” Benninghoff added. “Doing so is a significant undertaking, and they are doing all they can to make this happen.”

Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), who also represents the borough of Bellefonte said, “Kepler Pool has been long enjoyed by the Bellefonte community for nearly 50 years, and after facing several uphill battles since its closure in 2020, we are moving ever closer with today’s approved state grants to revitalizing this incredible asset.”

“The authority has been doing all it can to get this project to the finish line and I am happy to have joined Rep. Benninghoff in pushing for state support for this endeavor,” he continued.

Both grant programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. NAP grants are the product of investments in nonprofit organizations made by local businesses to revitalize communities across the Commonwealth, while funding for LSA grants is derived from gaming revenue.

Additional LSA grant recipients in Centre County include:

— Penn Township: $100,000 for the purchase of a backhoe.

— Potter Township: $75,000 for the purchase of a new plow truck with snow removal attachments.

— Spring Township: $25,000 for the purchase of two speed alert radar trailers.