Legislators Announce Grants for Luzerne County Communities

HARRISBURG - State grant funding totaling $3,052,008 has been awarded for 25 projects in the 20^th Senatorial District in Luzerne County, according to state Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), and state Reps. Alec Ryncavage (R-119) and Brenda Pugh (R-120). A total amount of $11,368,276 has been awarded for 72 projects throughout all of Luzerne County.

The funding was made available through the Local Share Account (LSA) for Luzerne County, which was established by the Commonwealth's Gaming Act. The Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and any municipality in Luzerne County are eligible for the funding for projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community.

"This funding supports a wide range of priority projects that enhance the quality of life in our communities," said Baker. "These state investments advance infrastructure upgrades, strengthen public safety and create economic development opportunities that will make a difference to residents. I'm proud to work alongside my legislative colleagues and local leaders to deliver the results that are most important to the people we represent and that will have a real, lasting impact for years to come."

"When our communities invest in strong infrastructure and reliable public safety, we are creating the foundation for economic growth by attracting businesses, supporting jobs and improving daily life," said Pugh. "These investments don't just strengthen systems - they strengthen opportunity for every resident."

"As costs continue to rise and local budgets are stretched thinner every year, programs like the Local Share Account, funded by Pennsylvania's gaming industry, remain one of the most important tools we have to help communities move projects from the drawing board to reality," said Ryncavage. "Whether it's infrastructure, public safety, parks or community improvements, these investments help our municipalities make meaningful progress without placing the burden on local taxpayers."

The approved projects in the 20^th District in Luzerne County include:

• Ashley Borough: $100,000 for streetscape improvements along Main Street from Cemetery Street to North Ashley Street.
• Edwardsville Borough on behalf of West Side Council of Governments: $200,000 to rehabilitate a segment of Northampton Street.
• Edwardsville Borough on behalf of the West Side Regional Polic Commission: $100,000 to help with the construction of a new police headquarters.
• Edwardsville Borough: $200,000 to address critical infrastructure and facility improvements within Penn Plaza.
• Exeter Township: $100,000 for the purchase of roadway maintenance equipment.
• Forty Fort Borough: $100,000 for the purchase of equipment for its public works department.
• Forty Fort Borough: $30,000 for the purchase of a pedestrian crosswalk system.
• Franklin Township: $100,000 to construct phase two of their municipal garage.
• Hanover Township on behalf of Hanover Mini Hawks Inc.: $124,000 for the construction of a ready-made concession stand, player shed, electricity, lighting and fencing at the Hanover Youth Mini Hawk fields.
• Hanover Township on behalf of Am Vets Post 59: $150,000 for renovations to the Am Vets post 59 building.
• Hanover Township on behalf of the Lower South Valley Council of Governments: $90,000 for improvements to the Shared Fueling Station.
• Hunlock Township: $298,978 to complete a paving project on Spring Hill Road, Pine Valley Drive, and Oakdale Drive.
• Jackson Township: $18,000 for security and access control upgrades at the township building.
• Jackson Township: $40,000 for the purchase of police equipment.
• Kingston Borough on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 283: $242,000 to replace the roof of VFW's main building.
• Kingston Municipality: $200,000 to repave Zerby Avenue.
• Lake Township: $36,370 for upgrades to the main traffic signal at the intersection of State Route 29 and State Route 118.
• Nanticoke City: $141,541 to help with the replacement of the North Market Street bridge.
• Newport Township: $20,000 for installation of two memorial monuments at the entrance of the municipal building.
• Pringle Borough: $120,000 to improve the storm drainage system located at the intersection of Valley View Drive and N. North Street.
• Ross Township: $226,413 to repair and pave Post Office Road and Gray Road.
• Swoyersville Borough: $230,717 to replace a garbage packer.
• Union Township: $213,989 to pave approximately 1.28 miles of deteriorating roadway along TR 525 Cherokee Drive and TR 514 Bee Tree Road.
• Warrior Run Borough: $50,000 to repair storm drains with paving and curbing along Beaumont Street, from Chestnut Street to Brislin Street.
• West Wyoming Borough: $120,000 to complete restoration at Micheal V. Charney Park and Frank Slaper Park.

The approved projects outside the 20^th District in Luzerne County include:

• Avoca Borough: $230,000 for fencing replacement at two borough-owned community sports venues.
• Bear Creek Township: $66,689 to complete renovations to the Bear Creek Township Municipal Building.
• Buck Township: $60,166 to purchase turnout gear for the fire department.
• Dorrance Township: $48,877 for the purchase of a new grader.
• Dupont Borough on behalf of VFW Post 4909: $112,610 to replace VFW Post 4909's roof.
• Dupont Borough: $124,444 to purchase new vehicles for the Dupont Police Department.
• Duryea Borough on behalf of Excelisor Hose Co. No. 2: $416,686 for a fire station addition.
• Duryea Borough: $146,281 for upgrades to the Borough levee pump system facility on Marcy Street.
• Foster Township: $73,000 to make paving improvements and install new park equipment at Woodside Playground.
• Freeland Borough: $281,444 to replace the roof of the Borough Municipal building.
• Hazle Township: $300,000 for improvements to the western athletic fields at Hazle Township Community Park.
• Hazleton City: $29,076 for the construction of a community pavilion.
• Hazleton City: $155,802 for construction of the City View Park Ice Cream Concession Stand.
• Hazleton City: $100,000 for renovations to their three fire stations.
• Hazleton City: $89,715 for the purchase of a UTV that will increase the Fire Department's capabilities in emergency response areas.
• Hughestown Borough on behalf of the Hughestown Hose Co.: $196,215 for the purchase of an ambulance.
• Jenkins Township on behalf of the Lithuanian Citizens Club: $157,487 for renovations to the Lithuanian Citizens Club building.
• Jenkins Township: $70,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle for the police department.
• Laflin Borough: $145,580 to purchase a Borough wide security system.
• Laflin Borough: $120,000 for the purchase of a F-550 dump truck with a plow attachment and upfitting.
• Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority: $150,000 for construction of a new dining lodge at Camp Kresge in Dennison Township.
• Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority: $19,267 for the rehabilitation of railroad infrastructure along the Luzerne and Susquehanna Line in Wilkes-Barre City, Plains Township, and Duryea Borough.
• Nescopeck Borough: $131,181 for the purchase of a DPW truck.
• Nuangola Borogh: $284,000 or stormwater infrastructure improvements and corresponding road repairs on Main Street and Willow Grove.
• Pittston City: $300,000 for market and promenade park improvements.
• Pittston City: $400,000 to make renovations to the basement of a building at 71 S. Main Street.
• Pittston Township on behalf of the Browntown Italian Citizens Employment Club: $202,935 to modernize and improve the Browntown Italian Citizens Enjoyment Club building.
• Pittston Township: $19,750 to purchase and install a permanent emergency back-up generator at its main fire station.
• Pittston Township: $14,978 to purchase crime scene equipment.
• Pittston Township: $200,000 for the purchase of street maintenance vehicles.
• Rice Township: $300,000 to replace the Henry Drive bridge.
• Salem Township: $91,000 for the purchase of a new police vehicle.
• West Hazleton Borough: $200,000 for roadway and sidewalk improvements.
• West Pittston Borough on behalf of West Pittston Borough Hose Co. No. 1: $219,319 to purchase new air packs for the fire department.
• White Haven Borough: $166,623 to rehabilitate Powerhouse Road.
• Wikes-Barre on behalf of Allied Services Personal Care Inc.: $200,000 for elevator upgrades to the Allied nursing facility.
• Wilkes-Barre: $86,555 to complete computer infrastructure upgrades at multiple City buildings.
• Wilkes-Barre: $367,471 for the purchase of an advanced life support vehicle.
• Wilkes-Barre on behalf of King's College: $275,000 for safety and security upgrades to King's College.
• Wilkes-Barre: $51,700 for the purchase of two digital message boards.
• Wilkes-Barre: $391,324 for improvements at the downtown public square.
• Wilkes-Barre: $199,000 to complete lighting and fountain upgrades at the Millennium Circle portion of River Commons.
• Wilkes-Barre on behalf of Wilkes University: $325,000 to purchase equipment that will be used for Wilkes University's new nursing simulation at the Stark Learning Center.
• Wilkes-Barre on behalf of Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball: $88,933 to install field lighting at Bog public park.
• Wilkes-Barre Township on behalf of Luzerne County Convention Center Authority: $284,000 to install a drainage/stormwater system at Mohegan Arena.
• Wright Township: $150,000 for roadway improvements along Stone Hedge.
• Wyoming Borough: $72,980 for the purchase of a new municipal pickup truck.

The grants were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs. The CFA reviews and evaluates applications based on cost, strategic importance, and impact.