West Central PA News

Senator Joe Pittman, along with Representatives Jill Cooper and Leslie Rossi, announced the allocation of over $3.1 million in infrastructure grants for Westmoreland County. The funding comprises more than $2.1 million from Local Share Account (LSA) funds and an additional $1 million from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program (PSFIG).

Senator Pittman emphasized the importance of these investments, stating, "Thanks to the collective effort of local and state leaders, our communities will soon be receiving substantial investments for needed infrastructure improvements." He noted that such projects can be costly for municipalities and expressed satisfaction that state support would assist in vital improvements.

Representative Cooper highlighted the benefits of the grant system: "Support from this grant system goes a long way in making certain that local governments have the resources they need to provide important services without passing high bills on to residents and taxpayers."

Representative Rossi added that investing in these projects is crucial for growth and resilience in Westmoreland County. She stated, "They not only enhance our infrastructure but also create jobs and improve the quality of life for our residents."

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved these grants during its October 22 meeting in Harrisburg. Eight projects within Westmoreland County received LSA funding. These funds are generated by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004), which allocates gaming revenues through the CFA to support public interest projects across Pennsylvania.

In addition to LSA funding, PSFIG allocated $1 million to Ligonier Valley School District to improve the HVAC system at Ligonier Valley High School. This funding is part of Pennsylvania's General Fund budget aimed at supporting facility improvement projects in public school districts and technical schools.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established as an independent agency under Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development in 2004 to manage economic stimulus initiatives.