UNIONVILLE — Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced Wednesday that Centre County will receive $1.2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding to improve water and sewage service in the Unionville area.

The funding will support installation of a two-inch force main from the existing grinder pump at the Eagle Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant to a Mid-Centre County Authority manhole on Main Street in Unionville Borough. The connection will link local sewage to the nearby Mid-Centre County Authority municipal system.

“The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of making investments through CDBG and similar programs to create safe and healthy communities for all Pennsylvanians to live, work and play, and these awards help make that vision a reality,” said Secretary Siger. “We will continue to make investments like these that address the most critical needs facing our communities.”

County commissioners welcomed the announcement, saying, “The Commissioners are thrilled with the announcement of the grant. This project is crucial for the families who live in the Eagle Creek housing development. The families have already invested significant funds towards this project and could not cover the entire cost of the project. This CDBG grant will make a big difference. We thank Governor Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger and his staff. We appreciate the hard work done by Senator Dush and Representative Takac and their staff.”

Director of Centre County’s Planning and Community Development Office, Ray Stolinas, echoed the commissioners’ sentiments, “We are also grateful to our CDBG program administration: the SEDA-COG staff. They have played a vital role in preserving affordable housing in the Eagle Creek community by applying for these competitive infrastructure dollars throughout the past few grant cycles. And thank you to the Board of Commissioners for recognizing the critical need for these improvements and committing the entire CDBG allotment to this project.”

Additional water and sewer system funding was awarded in Clarion, Northumberland, Snyder and Somerset counties. In total, the administration announced more than $6.2 million in investments across the Commonwealth.

The Shapiro Administration says these investments reflect its commitment to strengthening communities, boosting the state’s economy and improving residents’ quality of life.

Community Development Block Grant funds support housing improvements, suitable living environments, expanded economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income Pennsylvanians and upgrades to critical community health and welfare infrastructure.

For more information about the Community Development Block Grant program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the agency’s website, www.dced.pa.gov; Facebook; X and LinkedIn.