West Central PA News

Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41), Reps. Jim Struzzi (R-62), and Brian Smith (R-66) have announced that Indiana County communities will receive over $3.4 million in public infrastructure grants for five local projects. These grants were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) on December 19, 2023, in Harrisburg.

The Central Indiana County Joint Sanitary Authority is one of the recipients of these grants, receiving $1.9 million in COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA (H2O PA) funds for sewer system improvements in Center Township and Homer City Borough. Highridge Water has also been awarded $827,778 through the H2O PA grant program for a waterline extension in Burrell Township.

Furthermore, the Central Indiana County Joint Sanitary Authority will receive a $390,150 grant through the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Program (SWS) to fund a water line replacement project in Homer City Borough and Center Township. Expressing the importance of these grants, Rep. Jim Struzzi said, "Water and sewer grants are investments in infrastructure that we must make on behalf of our local residents."

Another grant of $289,000 from the SWS program has been awarded to the Ernest Borough Stormwater Authority for the Second Street Storm Water project in Ernest Borough. Rep. Brian Smith expressed his excitement about the funding, stating, "Infrastructure projects like this one in Ernest Borough are expensive, but you can't put a price on the health and safety of our residents."

In addition to the infrastructure grants, the Pennsylvania Rural Arts for the Indiana Borough organization has been awarded a $10,000 COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program (PACR) grant for operating expenses. This grant aims to ensure the stability and recovery of the commonwealth's arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The H2O PA program, established in 2008, provides grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer projects, as well as flood control projects and the repair of high-hazard unsafe dams. The SWS Program offers grants for small water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure projects.

These investments in public infrastructure will not only improve services for numerous Indiana County municipalities and residents but also contribute to the health and safety of the communities. As Sen. Joe Pittman highlighted, "Water and sewer projects are an essential part of maintaining the health and safety of our communities."

The successful approval of these grants is a result of the collaborative efforts of township supervisors, borough council members, and the support letters written by Rep. Jim Struzzi, Rep. Brian Smith, and other stakeholders. Rep. Struzzi recognizes the importance of their contributions, stating, "While we wrote support letters to advocate for these projects, the credit for making them happen goes to the township supervisors and borough council members who initiate the grant application process."

With these grants, Indiana County municipalities can now proceed with their much-needed infrastructure projects, ensuring the continued development and well-being of the community.

Click this link to access more information: https://senatorpittman.com/2023/12/19/more-than-3-4-million-in-public-infrastructure-grants-awarded-to-indiana-county-municipalities/