MEUSER ANNOUNCES FEDERAL INVESTMENTS FOR COLUMBIA & SCHUYLKILL COUNTIES

POTTSVILLE, Pa. – Today, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded nearly $600,000 in grants and loans to benefit residents of Columbia and Schuylkill Counties through the Community Facilities Programs. The awardees include:

• Berwick Borough was awarded $32,600 in Community Facilities Disaster Grant funding to benefit 10,477 residents in their community. The investment will be used to purchase and upfit four new patrol vehicles in their police department. Funds will also be used to purchase a new computer server for the borough.
• Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts, Inc. was awarded a $20,500 Community Facilities Disaster Grant and $100,000 in loan funding to benefit 10,477 residents in their community. This investment will be used to upgrade the HVAC and boiler systems in the Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts.
• The City of Pottsville was awarded a $346,400 Community Facilities Disaster Grant to benefit 14,324 residents in their community. This investment will be used to provide additional funding for the Pottsville parking garage.
• Shenandoah Valley School District was awarded a $39,300 loan and a $15,700 grant through the Community Facilities Loan and Grant program along with a $38,300 Economic Impact Initiative grant to benefit 5,071 residents of their community. This investment will be used for the purchase and installation of two Ford vans, HVAC-related equipment, audio-related equipment, and maintenance-related equipment.

About the USDA's Community Facilities Programs

Essential community infrastructure is key in ensuring that rural areas enjoy the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas. Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These amenities help increase the competitiveness of rural communities in attracting and retaining businesses that provide employment and services for their residents.