Emrick: Nearly $2.4 Million Awarded for 137th District Projects

September 15, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Nazareth) today announced $2,369,769 in Local Share Account (LSA) grants have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for 12 projects in the 137th Legislative District.

"A large share of these grants supports the people and equipment we count on when our communities are most in need - firefighters, EMS and police - while the rest addresses flooding, recycling and public works," Emrick said. "They are vital investments for safety and day-to-day operations, and it's an honor to ensure these dollars come back to our area."

The grants are:
• Bethlehem Township/Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Company - $45,501 - to purchase nine rugged mobile computers and related mounting and power equipment for fire apparatus and command vehicles, replacing technology nearing the end of its useful life and improving access to emergency communications and response information.
• Bethlehem Township/Nancy Run Fire Company - $144,977 - to purchase nine P25-capable emergency service radios and related equipment.
• Bethlehem Township - $166,098 - to purchase and upfit two police patrol vehicles to replace outdated vehicles nearing the end of their service lives. The new vehicles will include in-car cameras, tablets or computers, sirens, lights and graphics.
• Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority - $350,000 - to replace the failing concrete arch culvert under Farmersville Road with a larger reinforced culvert designed for current stormwater demands and a 100-year storm, helping reduce flooding and travel disruptions.
• Lower Nazareth Township/Hecktown Volunteer Fire Company - $500,000 - toward the purchase of a new pumper engine to replace an aging fire truck serving the township and surrounding communities through mutual aid.
• Lower Nazareth Township/Colonial Regional Police Department - $97,853 - to purchase and equip a Ford Interceptor with an in-car camera, mobile data terminal and radio for the regional department serving Lower Nazareth and Hanover townships.
• Lower Nazareth Township - $241,500 - to finish the township recycling center's 2019 pole-building shell with a concrete floor, utilities, public sewer, office and bathroom space, electrical service and outlets.
• Nazareth Borough/Nazareth Volunteer Ambulance Corps - $133,840 - toward the purchase of an advanced life support ambulance to replace deteriorating fleet equipment and support emergency care and patient transport.
• Nazareth Borough - $140,000 - to replace a roughly 30-year-old public works dump truck that needs major drivetrain repairs, improving reliability while reducing fuel and repair costs.
• Nazareth Borough/Vigilance Hose Company No. 1 - $350,000 - to purchase 30 self-contained breathing apparatuses, 60 cylinders, and 30 masks and carrying harnesses before the fire company's existing equipment reaches the end of its certification period. Vigilance Hose identifies the Nazareth Borough Fire Department as a 100% volunteer department.
• Upper Nazareth Township/Tuskes Park - $100,000 - for improvements that include removing outdated park equipment, stone and turf and installing new play equipment and turf to enhance recreational opportunities for residents.
• Upper Nazareth Township - $100,000 - toward the purchase and upfitting of a new public works dump truck with a reversible plow and tailgate spreader to support snow removal, road repair and routine maintenance.

No tax dollars were used to fund these grants. Local Share Account funds are generated under the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004), which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest across Pennsylvania. The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency to administer Pennsylvania economic development programs and investments.

Representative Joe Emrick
137th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Chris Comisac
717-772-9845
[email protected]
RepEmrick.com / Facebook.com/RepEmrick