West Central PA News

Sens. Joe Pittman and Cris Dush, along with Rep. Brian Smith, have announced the successful acquisition of over $3 million in grants for Jefferson County projects. The funds were secured through Local Share Account (LSA) grants and Public School Facility Improvement grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Rep. Brian Smith expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, "I’m proud to have worked with Sen. Pittman and Sen. Dush to bring this money back to our area." He emphasized that the projects funded by these grants could enhance safety, accessibility, and even boost tourism in Jefferson County.

Sen. Joe Pittman highlighted the importance of these investments for infrastructure improvements, saying, "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 financially burdensome for municipalities and appreciated the state support that would aid vital improvements related to health, safety, and education access.

Sen. Cris Dush remarked on the significance of securing this funding amidst economic challenges faced by families due to rising costs and inflation. "With so many hard-working families struggling with ever-rising costs and inflation, I am pleased to have played a role in securing this highly competitive funding for the citizens I serve in Jefferson County," he said. He described these grants as crucial investments in residents' safety and quality of life across various sectors including homeowners, employers, schools, farmers, and volunteer firefighters.

The LSA gaming revenues are distributed under Act 71 of 2004 via the CFA to support public interest projects within Pennsylvania. The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program provides funds specifically for eligible facility improvement projects in public school districts and career technical schools.