HARRISBURG – Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Reps. Jill Cooper (R-55) and Leslie Rossi (R-59) announced more than $2.6 million in public infrastructure grants have been awarded to Westmoreland County communities for eight local projects. These investments were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) on December 19, 2023 in Harrisburg.
“Water and sewer projects are an essential part of maintaining the health and safety of our communities, but often come with a high cost,” Pittman said. “I’m pleased to have worked to ensure this state support will be invested locally and can help to assist with necessary improvements. This is a great day, as these projects will improve services to numerous Westmoreland County municipalities and local residents.”
Several grants were awarded through the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA (H2O PA) program, including:
- $571,333 for the Municipal Authority of Washington Township for stormwater improvements along the Paulton Area located in Washington Township;
- Two $500,000 grants for New Kensington City Municipal Authority, with one for the replacement of the City of New Kensington’s 7th Street waterline and the other for the city’s Beamer Avenue, Fairmount Drive, Dugan Way and Wills Road waterline replacements;
- $424,563 for Derry Township to extend a water main within the township; and
- $346,562 for the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Derry for a waterline replacement located in Derry Township.
Additionally, the Municipal Authority of Washington Township was the recipient of a $40,630 grant through the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Program (SWS) for a manhole rehabilitation project within the township, while Derry Township Municipal Authority received $208,522 in SWS funds for improvements to a sanitary sewage system located in Derry Township.
“Local officials work hard to handle taxpayer funds responsibly while still prioritizing infrastructure projects that improve the lives of area residents,” said Cooper. “Investments like these by the CFA provide an important helping hand to make these projects a reality.”
“These grants represent valuable investments in our community,” Rossi added. “Upgraded water systems are very important because it can prevent the spread of disease and protect the environment. I am very happy we secured these grant dollars for the communities’ benefit, but it ultimately helps the taxpayers with no additional tax increases.”
In addition to the infrastructure grants, a $34,418 COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program (PACR) grant was awarded to the Fort Ligonier Association to fund operating costs for the Ligonier Borough historical nonprofit organization. PACR was created to provide grants to Pennsylvania nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts and arts and culture professionals to ensure the stability and recovery of the commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Established by the General Assembly in 2008, the H2O PA program provides for single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects; and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams.
The SWS Program provides grants for small water, sewer and storm water infrastructure projects. Municipalities and municipal authorities that own and maintain a public water supply, sanitary sewer or storm water systems are eligible to apply as long as their projects exceed a total cost of $30,000.
Media Contacts:
Kate Eckhart Flessner (Sen. Pittman)
Jordan Frei (Rep. Cooper)
Rick Leiner (Rep. Rossi)