Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- State legislators have recently announced millions in grant funding allocated to a variety of municipalities and organizations throughout the region this week.
The funding, announced by State Representatives Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union), Paul Takac (D-Centre), Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and State Senator Cris Dush (R-25) released information about the allocations on Tuesday.
The funding comes from the Commonwealth Financing Authority's Local Share Account (LSA) program. This funding is generated under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and distributes gaming revenue through the authority to support public interest projects.
Here's who will be receiving funding:
CLINTON COUNTY
Borowicz and Dush announced $702,105 in LSA grants were approved by the financing authority for five projects serving the county and nearby emergency-service areas that include:
-- Bald Eagle Township Authority: $194,735, to purchase and equip a robotic sewer inspection vehicle. The authority maintains about 12 miles of gravity sewer lines, most installed before 1980, and the equipment will help identify inflow and infiltration that can increase treatment costs and contribute to backups.
-- Clinton County Economic Partnership/Lock Haven EMS: $200,000, toward construction of a 12,615-square-foot EMS Training and Knowledge Center with classrooms, simulation space and support areas. The project is designed to train more than 400 EMS professionals, volunteers and community members each year; a separate federal funding request also describes the center as a workforce-development facility for EMS, fire, law enforcement and health care training and certification.
-- Noyes Township: $60,534, to construct a centrally located maintenance storage building, eliminating the need for public works employees to travel about 13 miles to retrieve stored equipment and materials.
-- Porter Township/Goodwill Hose Company Ambulance Association: $150,000, toward the purchase and upfitting of a 2026 International 4×4 ambulance replacing a 2015 unit with recurring electrical problems. The ambulance association serves about 6,000 households across multiple municipalities in Clinton and Centre counties.
-- West Keating Township: $96,836, to purchase a skid steer with a mower attachment for clearing, mowing and maintaining roadside slopes and roadways.
"After the recent storm damage and flooding our communities experienced, we are reminded how critical emergency services are," Borowicz said. "These grants support needs ranging from ambulances and sewer inspections to road maintenance and first-responder training."
Dush offered similar comments.
"These grants are all important investments in the safety and quality of life for residents of all ages," said Dush. "Securing this highly competitive funding is a huge win for even more taxpayers, volunteer first responders and local governments who will not have to bear the economic burden for more than $700,000 in critical public safety and infrastructure upgrades."
CENTRE COUNTY
More than $1.3 million was secured for a variety of projects within Centre County through the LSA grant program, according to announcements from Takac and Benninghoff.
Within Takac's district, the following projects will receive funding:
-- $300,000 to Centre County PAWS for a facility expansion and renovation project to improve animal care, safety and shelter operations.
-- $279,400 to Milesburg Borough Water Authority to replace water mains on Cross Street, improving reliability and safety while reducing long-term maintenance costs.
-- $149,165 to Snow Shoe Township for the purchase of a roller to maintain approximately 40 miles of township roads, enabling more regular maintenance and eliminating costly rentals.
-- $146,487 to Howard Township for a utility truck and trailer, including traffic control devices and cargo boxes.
-- $129,057 to Liberty Township for a skid steer with a paver and milling head to support road construction and maintenance.
-- $125,000 to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania Inc. for a comprehensive master plan to guide future expansion, including site analysis, architectural design and program and business plans.
-- $100,000 to the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority for transportation equipment to improve the efficiency of glass recycling.
-- $50,000 to Howard Township for the purchase of a mini excavator to increase efficiency and safety for roadway work and construction projects.
-- $50,000 to Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority for a truck with an attached crane to streamline maintenance operations and reduce injury risk for personnel.
"These grant awards reflect what people here have asked for -- improved facilities, planning grants for community-based education programs, water and recycling system upgrades and the tools our local townships need to keep roads in good shape and improve worker safety," Takac said. "We're making critical investments to help make everyday services run more smoothly and to help our communities grow. As a whole, these projects will significantly enhance the quality of life across Centre County -- safer day-to-day operations, more reliable infrastructure and greater opportunity for local progress."
In Benninghoff's district, the portion of funding distributed in Centre County includes:
-- Miles Township, $200,000, for a new wastewater treatment system at the Krislund Camp and Conference Center.
-- Miles Township Water Authority, $200,000, for the purchase of a new emergency generator.
-- Millheim Borough, $250,000, for the purchase of a water plant generator.
-- Penn Township, $91,876, for the purchase of a new track loader skid steer.
-- Potter Township, $150,000, for the purchase of a new plow truck with snow removal attachments.
-- Walker Township, $120,347, for the purchase of a new skid steer and attachments.
"I'm proud to have worked with local government leaders and fought to secure this funding, which will support critical projects across the 171st Legislative District," said Benninghoff. "The funding will support purchases of necessary equipment for our public works crews and much-needed infrastructure improvements."