Congressman Meuser Secures $4.975 Million for Three Schuylkill County Community Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced that he has secured $4.975 million in federal funding to support three major community projects in Schuylkill County. This funding, included in the FY26 Agriculture Appropriations legislation recently signed into law, is the result of extensive collaboration and partnership between Congressman Meuser, local officials, and community leaders across the county.

The projects receiving direct federal support include:

Friendship Hose Co. No. 1 New Fire Station, Orwigsburg — $2,225,000

This investment will allow Friendship Hose Co. No. 1 to construct a new, modern fire station on the site of its existing facility. The project will improve emergency response capabilities, increase volunteer recruitment and retention, and ensure safe, updated infrastructure for first responders.

Temple–St. Luke’s Rural Dental College Campus, Tamaqua — $2,000,000

This project funding will support construction of a new rural dental education facility to host 20 dental students completing clinical training in Schuylkill County. The project strengthens access to dental care across underserved rural communities and supports long-term workforce development in the region.

Shenandoah Center for Health, Education, Business and the Arts — $750,000

This grant will complete the buildout of a new federally qualified health center and business incubator in downtown Shenandoah. The facility will expand access to medical care, support workforce development, and provide space for small-business growth and community programming.

Congressman Meuser said, “This nearly $5 million in federal funding my office helped to secure for Schuylkill County will help to improve the lives of the great people who live and work here. These three community projects will strengthen public safety, expand access to healthcare, and support long-term economic revitalization across the county. We worked closely with community leaders such as the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, as well as state and local elected officials including Senator Dave Argall, Representatives Jamie Barton, and Tim Twardzik, and Commissioners, Boots Hetherington, Larry Padora, and Gary Hess. I look forward to seeing each of these initiatives make a positive impact in Shenandoah, Coaldale, Orwigsburg, and throughout Schuylkill County.”

Commissioner Larry Padora, Chairman of the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners, said, “It is great to see important projects like these being funded through our federal government right here in Schuylkill County. These investments help lift up every part of the Schuylkill County community, from the new fire station in Orwigsburg to the learning center in Shenandoah to the dental school in Tamaqua that will serve residents across the county. I would like to thank Congressman Dan Meuser, a true friend to Schuylkill County, for his support in helping make these and many other projects a reality.”

The new facility will address these shortcomings by including:

• Ultramodern safety improvements: Features to remove dangerous carcinogens from gear and an air exchange system to eliminate diesel fumes.
• Expanded space: A large meeting/training room for educational classes and hands-on training, a small gym to help members maintain physical fitness, and longer engine bays to accommodate modern, larger fire suppression and rescue vehicles.
• Community Space: The meeting room will be available to other organizations in the area for meeting space.
• Emergency Shelter:  There are currently no facilities in the borough that can accommodate the need for an emergency evacuation space. We will be able to provide temporary shelter with access to showers and food.

This funding will enable the department to meet current minimum fire safety standards, improve operational efficiency and provide a safer environment for both firefighters and the citizens they serve. "

Micah Gursky, Executive Director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, said of the Temple Rural Dental College Campus project, “This project will change the way people think about training in Pennsylvania by creating a uniquely rural living and educational environment. Students will have the opportunity to live and train with 19 classmates, building a strong sense of community and purpose. Graduating ten dentists each year will establish a long-term pipeline of rural dentists for generations to come.”

Karen Kenderdine, President of the Downtown Shenandoah Inc. Board of Directors, said of the Shenandoah Center for Health, Education, Business and the Arts project, “I am so appreciative that Congressman Meuser worked to bring tax dollars back to our local communities.”

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