State grants totaling $929,713 have been allocated to local projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), as announced by Sen. Lisa Baker and Reps. Jonathan Fritz and Jeff Olsommer.
“These are significant community priorities that often don’t align with existing operating budgets. Local officials and community leaders frequently bring up these projects during our discussions,” said Baker. “The local share funds from gaming revenues enable a diverse range of initiatives – such as equipment acquisition, facility renovations, infrastructure expansion and community protection upgrades – to progress more swiftly. These competitive awards acknowledge that these communities are well-managed and that the proposed projects are both practical and essential.”
Fritz added, “This is a very competitive program, and I am happy to support funding requests for public safety enhancements and infrastructure projects in our local communities. Thanks to a joint effort, we are delivering big wins for worthy applicants in the 111th!”
Olsommer expressed satisfaction with the initiative: “I am pleased that these funds will reinvest tax dollars directly into our district. Our communities will be able to enhance public safety, provide better services and improve the quality of life for our residents.”
In Pike County, approved projects include $45,000 for Matamoras Borough’s new police vehicle; $100,000 for Lackawaxen Township Volunteer Fire’s airboat purchase; $75,000 for Veterans Memorial Park historical monuments; $100,000 for Shohola Township road maintenance equipment; and $100,000 for Westfall Township municipal building upgrades.
Wayne County’s approved projects feature Berlin Township’s community center upgrades at $32,000; Canaan Township’s Mican Road bridge reconstruction at $190,933; Dyberry Township’s maintenance equipment purchase at $90,160; Honesdale Borough’s Central Park stage replacement at $16,520; Paupack Township’s salt shed construction at $60,000; and Preston Township’s road maintenance equipment purchase at $120,100.
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency under the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to manage economic stimulus packages.
