State Senator Joe Pittman and Representatives Jim Struzzi and Brian Smith have announced nearly $5.4 million in state grants is coming to Indiana County.
The local share account funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority on September 15th, and uses money generated by casinos to support projects that improve the quality of life for area residents. Fourteen projects will receive funding, including $25,067 to purchase and implement body cameras for the Indiana County Sheriff’s office and $2 million that will be split between the Highridge Water Authority’s North Blacklick Township Project and replacement of the West Wheatfield #1 pump station with a new pump.
In a statement, Senator Pittman said that all the projects are vital to the stability and growth of the region and that “Thoughtful investments in local infrastructure and economic development initiatives help ensure municipalities can meet the needs of residents now and into the future.”
The list of grants includes:
- Brush Valley Township is receiving $208,060 to construct a salt/anti-skid storage building to keep material dry and prevent it from freezing.
- Burrell Township is receiving $397,590 to repair and expand various areas within Saylor Park, including repairing and upgrading the parking lot, expanding the center road width and adding parking spaces, and resurfacing and expanding the walking track to connect to the park’s newly installed creekfront beach.
- Canoe Township is being awarded $141,900 to replace its aging drum roller with a new, fully equipped drum roller for local roadway maintenance operations.
- Highridge Water Authority is receiving:
- $1 million for phase II part B of the Route 217 North Blacklick Township project which includes installing a new waterline beginning at Thompson Road and ending at Williams Road to correct the lack of water volume and poor water quality. This will benefit 34 nearby homes.
- $1 million to replace the current West Wheatfield #1 pump station with a new booster pump station to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
- Homer City Borough is being awarded $130,023 to replace their current, 35-year-old skid steer by purchasing a new skid steer with broom, utility and mower attachments; a zero-turn mower; and a utility trailer.
- Indiana Borough is being awarded $180,250 to purchase a new vehicle, upfitting and additional safety equipment to better provide for the safety of residents, especially during emergencies and community events.
- Indiana County is receiving $25,067 to purchase and implement body-worn cameras for the Indiana County Sheriff’s Office to enhance transparency, accountability and officer safety.
- Loyalhanna Township, on behalf of the Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department, is receiving $132,328 to purchase a base station and 25 portable radios to update their emergency communications and improve emergency services in Saltsburg Borough, and Conemaugh and Loyalhanna townships.
- Rayne Township is being awarded $1 million to replace the bridge carrying Wynkoop Road over Pine Creek with a new precast concrete box culvert and shift the bridge opening to the east a short distance. These changes will minimize the impacts to the railroad embankment during construction, reduce the curvature of the stream and allow for safe demolition of the existing bridge.
- Saltsburg Borough is receiving:
- $55,182, on behalf of Towns People Inc. to remove the old siding of the Altman Feed Mill and replace it with new cedar siding on the west face of the mill in the hopes of attracting business growth and boosting local tourism.
- $181,004 for window replacement, electrical lighting and fixture upgrades for the Salt Community Center as well as reconstructing the parking lot and installing ADA parking.
- $63,425 to purchase a John Deere ZTrak, a John Deere Sub Compact, an iron mount side discharge, a quick hitch front blade, a heavy-duty rotary boom, and a Kubota V series. This new municipal equipment will replace their 14-year-old riding mower and their 20-year-old Kubota mower both of which break down frequently and have reached the end of their useful life.
- South Mahoning Township is receiving $869,959 to resurface Sinktown, Rossmoyne, Pearce, Redding Run and Mahoning roads, all of which are high traffic areas and have prematurely aged and need maintenance.
