Community Projects Disclosures
Community Funding Projects Requests for FY2026
Project Name: Regional Emergency Radio Connectivity for PSAP Consolidation
Request Amount: $5,164,854.20
Intended Recipient: Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 399 Stadium Drive, Sunbury, PA 17801
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, is planning to replace a deteriorating communication tower at Boyers Knob and consolidate the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) of Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties into a single, modernized regional 911 system. This project will enhance emergency communications by integrating existing systems, deploying microwave connectivity, and replacing aging infrastructure. This project will improve reliability, efficiency, and public safety services for more than 200,000 rural residents in Central Pennsylvania.
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Project Name: Dallas School District Community Wellness Center (Fieldhouse Expansion)
Request Amount: $3,500,000
Intended Recipient: Dallas School District
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2000 Conyngham Ave., Dallas, PA 18612.
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Dallas School District is planning to improve the wellness space for the Dallas School District Community and Greater Back Mountain Region by expanding the current field house. The project would improve the community’s access to physical, social, and overall wellness activities and training year-round, even during winter and inclement weather.
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Project Name: Downtown Lebanon Parking Garage
Request Amount: $7,200,000
Intended Recipient: City of Lebanon
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 753 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The City of Lebanon is planning to construct a parking garage on an underutilized city-owned surface lot in downtown Lebanon. This project would address the city’s lack of parking infrastructure by providing safe, accessible, and long-term parking in the city’s Central Business District – supporting economic revitalization, residential growth, and transit connectivity.
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Project Name: Shenandoah Center for Health, Education, Business and the Arts
Request Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Downtown Shenandoah Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 116 North Main Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
To address documented high poverty and unemployment rates in the Borough, Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) is constructing a new multi-purpose community facility known as the Center for Health, Education, Business, and the Arts in downtown Shenandoah at 113-125 North Main Street. The primary goal of this transformational project is to give residents of the community greater access to programs in Shenandoah. It is expected that the project will create over 50 FT jobs over the next three years. It should be emphasized that the first phase of this project is fully funded, is now under construction and will be completed by October 2025. This request for funding is for the second phase of the project which will involve finishing space on the 2nd floor of the building for a federally qualified health center that will be operated by Primary Health Network, a community special event center and at least three additional business incubator spaces will be finished for occupancy on the lower level. The 2,250 SF special event center will be available to area organizations and individuals for employer functions such as meetings, work force development training, and community functions. The second phase of the project will enable health monitoring through the finishing of space for a federally qualified health center. Primary Health Network has provided a letter of intent to lease 2,700 SF of the space on the second floor for a period of five years with the opportunity to renew for an additional five years. Additionally, it will enable work by finishing space on the lower level for three additional small incubator business spaces for fledging businesses. Finally, it would enable education by providing space for large and small group entrepreneurial training programs offered by Downtown Shenandoah Inc and Penn State in the special event space which will be able to be partitioned off for these trainings.
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Project Name: Temple-St. Luke’s Rural Dental College Campus
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Carbon-Schuylkill Community Hospital, Inc. DBA St. Luke’s Miners Campus
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 360 W Ruddle St, Coaldale, PA 18218
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will construct a 26,600 square foot Temple-St. Luke’s Rural Dental College Campus on Route 309 in Rush Township, Schuylkill County. The 25 dental chair facility will accommodate 20 dental students (10 third year and 10 fourth year), faculty and 18 staff members to complete more than 700 patient visits per week including, dental hygiene, restorative work and advanced periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. The campus will also accommodate an in-person education room, tele-lecture room, a dental lab, as well space for medical primary care and other specialists. Students will live and train in Schuylkill County for their third and fourth years after spending their first two years of training at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry with the goal of students choosing to practice in rural Pennsylvania upon graduation. The impact on Schuylkill County and surrounding communities will be immense with real access to dental providers and having 20 dental students and their faculty members living and working in the community. This project will create 30,000+ new dental visits each year. The rural dental college will attract patients from a wide geographic area as there is limited access to dental care across northeast and north-central Pennsylvania. Long term, the impact of having 10 rural-trained dentists graduating from this program each year will dramatically increase the number of dentists available in rural areas, rural clinics, and federally qualified health centers. Training in a rural, Appalachian community will provide a unique dental college experience that will result in graduates choosing rural and underserved communities for their post-graduate practice.
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Project Name: Wyoming County Healthcare Facility Improvements
Request Amount: $3,846,849
Intended Recipient: Wyoming County Healthcare Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 5950 State Route 6, Tunkhannock, PA 18657
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The funding will be used for the renovation of the 5-story, 90,000 sq ft Wyoming County Healthcare Center facility located in Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. The facility serves as a comprehensive healthcare hub by re-establishing and expanding healthcare services at a central location. Renovating the building aims to address critical healthcare shortages in the County exacerbated by covid-19 and the closure of Tyler Memorial Hospital in 2022. Wyoming County faces higher than average mortality rates linked to chronic diseases and accessibility challenges due to its rural nature. This initiative will directly enhance healthcare access and quality for residents of the county, particularly benefiting underserved groups. Funding will be used for construction, upgrades, and incidental costs. Key investments crucial for safety and compliance include air handling and chiller units, fire alarm, sprinkler and roof systems, emergency generator, elevator, plumbing and electrical upgrades. We aim to incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient materials and systems to reduce long-term operating costs. In addition to improving healthcare access, renovations to the Wyoming County Healthcare Center will directly tackle the urgent need for broadband expansion to support essential services by upgrading the facility to accommodate telehealth services. Establishing public broadband access within the center promotes remote training, education, and telemedicine reducing the need for long-distance travel for medical care, particularly important for the aging population. This project not only addresses immediate healthcare and connectivity challenges but also promotes long-term community resilience and digital inclusion in Wyoming County while promoting long-term community health and economic stability. Success will be measured by service capacity increases, patient volume growth, and improved health outcomes.
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Project Name: Friendship Hose Co. No. 1, Orwigsburg Fire Department New Fire Station
Request Amount: $3,225,000
Intended Recipient: Friendship Hose Co. No. 1, Orwigsburg
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 121 North Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The project's purpose is to construct a new fire station on the site of the existing fire station located within the Borough of Orwigsburg. The existing fire station lacks space and standard safety apparatuses for the growing fire department and growing community. The new fire station will include state-of-the-art safety improvements to remove dangerous carcinogens from equipment and gear and an air exchange system to remove dangerous diesel fumes from the air within the station. Additional space will be constructed including a large meeting/training room to allow the fire department to hold educational classes or hands-on training within the station for other fire departments or local citizens, a small gym/work-out area to provide members the ability to exercise and stay in peak physical condition thereby reducing the number one leading cause of on-duty deaths: heart attacks, and engine bays of sufficient length to house the ever increasing size of modern fire suppression and rescue engines.
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Project Name: Danville Area Community Center Program and Facility Upgrades
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Danville Area Community Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1041 Liberty Street, Danville, PA 17821
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Danville Area Community Center is renovating its 38,000 square foot, 38 year old facility. Upgrades will include new childcare space and upgraded programs including the “DACC Helping Our Neighbors” program that provides social and human service guidance and direction, and “Danville’s Living Room” program that offers broadband access and socialization space for the community as well as wellness and fitness programming for families, seniors and youth.
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Project Name: Williamsport Municipal Water Authority Transmission Water Main Replacement Project
Request Amount: $ 2,964,500
Intended Recipient: Williamsport Municipal Water Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 253 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Transmission Water Main Replacement Project is a multiple phase project replacing critical components of the WMWA distribution system. To prevent a catastrophic event, the WMWA has determined to horizontally directionally drill (HDD) a 24” diameter replacement main across the Susquehanna River. Additionally, this project will include replacing the 20” cast iron pipe (CIP) transmission water main from the WMWA Filtration Plant with a 24” ductile iron pipe (DIP) transmission water main. The increased size will provide additional water volume allowing adequate flow for future growth within the WMWA distribution system. Approximately 4,000 linear feet is anticipated to be replaced through traditional excavation methods. This Project will terminate at the new main previously placed. This portion of the transmission main is in the poorest condition and least accessible. Replacing this portion of the transmission main will proactively address potential main failure and establish better accessibility to the main.
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Project Name: Bloomsburg Childcare Center Expansion and Renovation
equest Amount: $1,093,000
Intended Recipient: Bloomsburg Area YMCA
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 30 East 7th Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Bloomsburg Area YMCA (BAY) is planning comprehensive renovations and expansion at its facility to create a dedicated space to support its Community Resource Hub Program. Inspired by a 2023 community needs assessment, BAY developed a plan to implement new programming to answer the public’s demand for resources to support young families, seniors and others who are socially isolated or lack access to vital services. BAY’s plans include transforming the existing atrium and entrance into the Hub’s centralized base of operations, creating a publicly accessible computer room, converting the fitness room into a general-purpose space and kitchen, improving the child watch room, and constructing a new entrance and lobby.
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Project Name: Naaman Center Women’s Expansion Project
Request Amount: $1,563,750
Intended Recipient: Naaman Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 33 Teen Challenge Rd, Rehrersburg, PA 19550
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Naaman Center is planning to construct two additional women-specific facilities to increase the Center’s ability to treat and support individuals in need of assistance. Naaman Center has seen an uptick in the need for women’s services and is largely at capacity for women-specific facilities. The time for expanding the Center’s capacity is now so that it can help build and foster a healthier community.
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Project Name: Back Mountain Community Sports Dome & Fairgrounds Infrastructure Project
Request Amount: $3,500,000
Intended Recipient: Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 3605 State Route 118, PO Box 393, Dallas, PA 18612
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc. is planning to expand essential rural infrastructure that supports public health, youth development, and economic activity. The planned dome will fill a major gap in indoor recreation access across Luzerne County – especially during winter and inclement weather. The planned parking deck would also improve year-round usability of the fairgrounds, which hosts major community events.
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Project Name: Old Airport Road Improvement Project
Request Amount: $700,000
Intended Recipient: Luzerne County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will reconstruct and make drainage improvements to 1.20 miles of Old Airport Road in Butler Township.
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Project Name: Shamokin Waste-Water Treatment Facility Upgrades
Request Amount: $1,400,000
Intended Recipient: Shamokin Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 114 Bridge Street, Shamokin, PA 17872
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The project request seeks essential upgrades for the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority's wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) to ensure operational efficiency and compliance while maintaining affordable sewer rental charges. Key components include replacing aging mechanisms in the Primary and Secondary Settling Tanks and installing a Headworks Grit Chamber to prevent damage from debris. These upgrades are vital for effective sewage treatment, environmental protection, and financial sustainability.
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Project Name: Pennsylvania College of Technology Forest Products Training Center
Request Amount: $1,100,000
Intended Recipient: Pennsylvania College of Technology
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will include building, site, and equipment upgrades and an addition to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center to accommodate a new, cutting-edge mill supporting curricular enhancements that will augment the existing Forest Technology program to prepare students and incumbent workers for well-paying jobs in timber production management.
Community Funding Projects Requests for FY2025
Project Name: Shamokin Waste-Water Treatment Facility Upgrades
Request Amount: $1,400,000
Intended Recipient: Shamokin Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 114 Bridge Street, Shamokin, PA 17872
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The project request seeks essential upgrades for the Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority's wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) to ensure operational efficiency and compliance while maintaining affordable sewer rental charges. Key components include replacing aging mechanisms in the Primary and Secondary Settling Tanks and installing a Headworks Grit Chamber to prevent damage from debris. These upgrades are vital for effective sewage treatment, environmental protection, and financial sustainability.
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Project Name: Williamsport Municipal Water Authority Transmission Water Main Replacement Project
Request Amount: $ 2,964,500
Intended Recipient: Williamsport Municipal Water Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 253 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Transmission Water Main Replacement Project is a multiple phase project replacing critical components of the WMWA distribution system. To prevent a catastrophic event, the WMWA has determined to horizontally directionally drill (HDD) a 24” diameter replacement main across the Susquehanna River. Additionally, this project will include replacing the 20” cast iron pipe (CIP) transmission water main from the WMWA Filtration Plant with a 24” ductile iron pipe (DIP) transmission water main. The increased size will provide additional water volume allowing adequate flow for future growth within the WMWA distribution system. Approximately 4,000 linear feet is anticipated to be replaced through traditional excavation methods. This Project will terminate at the new main previously placed. This portion of the transmission main is in the poorest condition and least accessible. Replacing this portion of the transmission main will proactively address potential main failure and establish better accessibility to the main.
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Project Name: Old Airport Road Improvement Project
Request Amount: $700,000
Intended Recipient: Luzerne County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will reconstruct and make drainage improvements to 1.20 miles of Old Airport Road in Butler Township.
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Project Name: Pennsylvania College of Technology Forest Products Training Center
Request Amount: $1,100,000
Intended Recipient: Pennsylvania College of Technology
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will include building, site, and equipment upgrades and an addition to the Schneebeli Earth Science Center to accommodate a new, cutting-edge mill supporting curricular enhancements that will augment the existing Forest Technology program to prepare students and incumbent workers for well-paying jobs in timber production management.
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Project Name: Wyoming County Healthcare Facility Improvements
Request Amount: $3,846,849
Intended Recipient: Wyoming County Healthcare Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 5950 State Route 6, Tunkhannock, PA 18657
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The funding will be used for the renovation of the 5-story, 90,000 sq ft Wyoming County Healthcare Center facility located in Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. The facility serves as a comprehensive healthcare hub by re-establishing and expanding healthcare services at a central location. Renovating the building aims to address critical healthcare shortages in the County exacerbated by covid-19 and the closure of Tyler Memorial Hospital in 2022. Wyoming County faces higher than average mortality rates linked to chronic diseases and accessibility challenges due to its rural nature. This initiative will directly enhance healthcare access and quality for residents of the county, particularly benefiting underserved groups. Funding will be used for construction, upgrades, and incidental costs. Key investments crucial for safety and compliance include air handling and chiller units, fire alarm, sprinkler and roof systems, emergency generator, elevator, plumbing and electrical upgrades. We aim to incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient materials and systems to reduce long-term operating costs. In addition to improving healthcare access, renovations to the Wyoming County Healthcare Center will directly tackle the urgent need for broadband expansion to support essential services by upgrading the facility to accommodate telehealth services. Establishing public broadband access within the center promotes remote training, education, and telemedicine reducing the need for long-distance travel for medical care, particularly important for the aging population. This project not only addresses immediate healthcare and connectivity challenges but also promotes long-term community resilience and digital inclusion in Wyoming County while promoting long-term community health and economic stability. Success will be measured by service capacity increases, patient volume growth, and improved health outcomes.
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Project Name: Lebanon Exposition Building
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Lebanon Valley Exposition Corporation
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, PA 17042
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The proposal by the Lebanon Valley Exposition Corporation for a new exposition building represents a crucial investment with multifaceted benefits for the community, justifying its use of taxpayer funds. Beyond simply replacing outdated infrastructure, the project promises to revitalize the Expo Center, driving significant new business opportunities and economic growth across Lebanon County. By accommodating larger events and attracting diverse industry segments, including agriculture and trade shows, the new building will not only bolster the Expo Center's revenue streams but also support the region's largest industry and enhance the quality of life for residents through expanded event offerings. Moreover, the project addresses operational and structural concerns of the existing facilities, ensuring safety and efficiency while unlocking the potential for increased usage and revenue generation. From a financial standpoint, the projected revenue streams demonstrate the building's potential for long-term sustainability and positive returns on investment. Importantly, the community benefits extend beyond economic impacts, encompassing educational initiatives for youth, support for local agricultural organizations, and critical emergency response capabilities. As the single largest public event in Lebanon County and a hub for diverse activities, the Expo Center plays a vital role in community engagement and resilience, further underscoring the value and necessity of this proposed project.
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Project Name: Danville Area Community Center Program and Facility Upgrades
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Danville Area Community Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1041 Liberty Street, Danville, PA 17821
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Danville Area Community Center is renovating its 38,000 square foot, 38 year old facility. Upgrades will include new childcare space and upgraded programs including the “DACC Helping Our Neighbors” program that provides social and human service guidance and direction, and “Danville’s Living Room” program that offers broadband access and socialization space for the community as well as wellness and fitness programming for families, seniors and youth.
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Project Name: Western Berks Fire Department New Headquarters Fire Station
Request Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: Western Berks Fire Department
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 111 Stitzer Ave, Wernersville, PA 19565
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This funding would provide for the rebuild of a new headquarters fire station, which would be replacing a 57-year-old station. One that has served the department and community very well, but is now outdated, and not fitting the needs of a 21st Century, all-hazards fire department, or even meeting the needs of a department whose coverage area is currently seeing and will see both substantial residential and commercial growth. This new station would provide key features that will not only support both the administrative and operational sides of the department but will also play a pivotal role in the recruitment and retention of career and volunteer firefighters. With an upgraded building, we can also incorporate numerous safety features that we currently lack, such as the separation of contaminated areas and clean areas. We will also be able to implement more hands-on and classroom-based training, as our surveys of employees showed the need for these items as a priority, as they want to have the means to hone skills to provide the best service possible.
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Project Name: Bloomsburg Childcare Center Expansion and Renovation
Request Amount: $2,500,000
Intended Recipient: Bloomsburg Area YMCA
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 30 East 7th Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Bloomsburg Area YMCA (BAY) is planning a comprehensive facility renovation and expansion that focuses on childcare and community resource connections. This request focuses on the childcare center. A recent community engagement report found that increased access to affordable childcare is the No. 1 priority for Bloomsburg residents. In addition, a 2023 community needs assessment revealed that 40% of families that need childcare are actively looking for it. The time for service expansion is now. A 2023 survey found that 55 children are on the waitlist in Columbia County and 120 children are on the waitlist in Montour County — BAY’s service area. BAY’s plans include renovating the current childcare rooms, relocating the playground, and building an approximately 3,000 square foot addition.
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Project Name: Shenandoah Center for Health, Education, Business and the Arts
Request Amount: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Downtown Shenandoah Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 116 North Main Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
To address documented high poverty and unemployment rates in the Borough, Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) is constructing a new multi-purpose community facility known as the Center for Health, Education, Business, and the Arts in downtown Shenandoah at 113-125 North Main Street. The primary goal of this transformational project is to give residents of the community greater access to programs in Shenandoah. It is expected that the project will create over 50 FT jobs over the next three years. It should be emphasized that the first phase of this project is fully funded, is now under construction and will be completed by October 2025. This request for funding is for the second phase of the project which will involve finishing space on the 2nd floor of the building for a federally qualified health center that will be operated by Primary Health Network, a community special event center and at least three additional business incubator spaces will be finished for occupancy on the lower level. The 2,250 SF special event center will be available to area organizations and individuals for employer functions such as meetings, work force development training, and community functions. The second phase of the project will enable health monitoring through the finishing of space for a federally qualified health center. Primary Health Network has provided a letter of intent to lease 2,700 SF of the space on the second floor for a period of five years with the opportunity to renew for an additional five years. Additionally, it will enable work by finishing space on the lower level for three additional small incubator business spaces for fledging businesses. Finally, it would enable education by providing space for large and small group entrepreneurial training programs offered by Downtown Shenandoah Inc and Penn State in the special event space which will be able to be partitioned off for these trainings.
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Project Name: Temple-St. Luke’s Rural Dental College Campus
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Carbon-Schuylkill Community Hospital, Inc. DBA St. Luke’s Miners Campus
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 360 W Ruddle St, Coaldale, PA 18218
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will construct a 26,600 square foot Temple-St. Luke’s Rural Dental College Campus on Route 309 in Rush Township, Schuylkill County. The 25 dental chair facility will accommodate 20 dental students (10 third year and 10 fourth year), faculty and 18 staff members to complete more than 700 patient visits per week including, dental hygiene, restorative work and advanced periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry. The campus will also accommodate an in-person education room, tele-lecture room, a dental lab, as well space for medical primary care and other specialists. Students will live and train in Schuylkill County for their third and fourth years after spending their first two years of training at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry with the goal of students choosing to practice in rural Pennsylvania upon graduation. The impact on Schuylkill County and surrounding communities will be immense with real access to dental providers and having 20 dental students and their faculty members living and working in the community. This project will create 30,000+ new dental visits each year. The rural dental college will attract patients from a wide geographic area as there is limited access to dental care across northeast and north-central Pennsylvania. Long term, the impact of having 10 rural-trained dentists graduating from this program each year will dramatically increase the number of dentists available in rural areas, rural clinics, and federally qualified health centers. Training in a rural, Appalachian community will provide a unique dental college experience that will result in graduates choosing rural and underserved communities for their post-graduate practice.
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Project Name: Sunbury Flood Water Toe Drain Project
Request Amount: $747,300
Intended Recipient: The Municipal Authority of the City of Sunbury
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 462 S. Fourth Street, Sunbury, PA 17801
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The toe drain system is an integral component of the flood protection system and is important to keep the flood wall foundation free of hydrostatic pressure build up. A plugged toe drain system will allow hydrostatic pressure to build up, softening and liquifying the soil, and ultimately allowing the flood wall to tip over and collapse. This would be a catastrophic failure. To be corrected and to restore this important flood wall protection component, the toe drain piping needs to be replaced and access manholes and cleanouts installed. As reported by the Army Corp of Engineers in 2003, the Sunbury Flood Protection Project has prevented an estimated $442 million worth of flood damage over the life of the project. This estimate is the summation of damages prevented at the time of flood occurrence, the individual values from these more than 12 events have not been updated to current price levels. Economic damage due to inundation caused by levee failure is estimated at $4.2 million. There are 2,968 protected properties with an estimated value of $1.1 billion and 5,467 jobs are protected based on local service tax revenue. Within the protected area, there are 469 commercial, 15 industrial and 11 institutional sites. This mitigation effort further strengthens the flood protection system from potential failure.
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Project Name: Friendship Hose Co. No. 1, Orwigsburg Fire Department New Fire Station
Request Amount: $3,225,000
Intended Recipient: Friendship Hose Co. No. 1, Orwigsburg
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 121 North Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The project's purpose is to construct a new fire station on the site of the existing fire station located within the Borough of Orwigsburg. The existing fire station lacks space and standard safety apparatuses for the growing fire department and growing community. The new fire station will include state-of-the-art safety improvements to remove dangerous carcinogens from equipment and gear and an air exchange system to remove dangerous diesel fumes from the air within the station. Additional space will be constructed including a large meeting/training room to allow the fire department to hold educational classes or hands-on training within the station for other fire departments or local citizens, a small gym/work-out area to provide members the ability to exercise and stay in peak physical condition thereby reducing the number one leading cause of on-duty deaths: heart attacks, and engine bays of sufficient length to house the ever increasing size of modern fire suppression and rescue engines.
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Project Name: Endless Mountains Health Systems - Electronic Health Record Replacement Project
Request Amount: $1,350,000
Intended Recipient: Endless Mountains Health Systems Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 100 Hospital Drive, Montrose, PA 18801
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Electronic Health Record Replacement Project will allow Endless Mountains to replace its electronic health record system with an improved system that enhances the delivery of patient care, increases information sharing, and meets the requirements of HiTech and meaningful use. This system will support primary and specialty care delivery in four settings throughout Susquehanna County. EMHS serves a population of 18,000 residents in its primary and secondary service area.
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Project Name: Sayre Borough Infrastructure Improvement Project
Request Amount: $5,750,000
Intended Recipient: Borough of Sayre, Pennsylvania
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 110 West Packer Avenue, Sayre, PA 18840
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project includes the replacement of 9,260LF of sanitary sewer main, 3,500LF of storm sewer pipe, 35 sewer manholes, 45 storm inlets, and replacement of approximately 175 sewer laterals. The scope of work includes 6,500LF of new curbing with ADA crosswalks, and 6,400SY of road reconstruction and repaving. The North East Street Sanitary Sewer Pump Station will also be upgraded in conjunction with the project. Once completed, the Borough will have addressed various repairs to its infrastructure without imposing an increase in sewer rates to customers.
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Community Funding Projects Requests for FY2024
Project Name: FTIG Auto MPMG Range
Request Amount: $15,500,000
Intended Recipient: Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: Fort Indiantown Gap, Building 7-36 Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Multi-Purpose Machine Gun Range. To construct a 10 lane multi-purpose machine gun range that supports training requirements of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA to train and test crews on the skills necessary to detect, identify, engage and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor targets in a tactical array. Project will consist of ten medium machine gun firing points, four vehicle heavy machine gun firing points, and a range operations control area consisting of a range control tower, range operations and storage building, bleacher enclosure, covered mess shelter, latrine, and ammunition breakdown building. Supporting facilities include electric service, site improvements, down range service road to include a down range bridge crossing and required utilities.
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Project Name: Coblentz Corner
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Columbia County Housing Corporation (d.b.a. Community Strategies Group)
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 700 Sawmill Road Suite 101, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will increase daily foot traffic and commercial activity in Downtown Berwick PA through the demolition of a vacant and blighted 1-story building and the construction of a new 4-story structure that will provide a mix of community and commercial spaces. Downtown Berwick’s existing buildings and occupancy rates limit opportunities for new commercial. Our project will provide a new downtown home for a regional teen center and their entrepreneurial academy that has outgrown their current space, a commercial kitchen with café and a small tech-focused maker space, and an additional 10,000sf of commercial space (18,000sf total).
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Name: Walters Avenue Bridge Replacement
Request Amount: $450,000
Intended Recipient: South Heidelberg Township
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 555A Mountain Home Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
South Heidelberg Township is seeking funding to replace the Walters Avenue Bridge, a deteriorating, one-lane township bridge that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has rated “poor” and has weight-restricted to 15 tons. The bridge is an important connector between South Heidelberg Township and Wernersville Borough. The project directly benefits a low-income senior housing development and eliminates blighted infrastructure that has been the subject of community complaints. It also addresses an urgent safety hazard for the entire township, as the weight restriction prohibits the use of the bridge by fire trucks. When freight trains cross the township and block intersections, the bridge becomes the closest access point between the fire department and the rest of the township. Any further deterioration would also prohibit school buses from utilizing the bridge, as well as the 890 vehicles that use the bridge daily. Due to its poor condition, the regional transportation planning body for Berks County has included the bridge in its list of the worst bridges in Berks County. If awarded funds, the funds would be used to demolish the Walters Avenue Bridge and replace it with a cost-effective, pre-cast concrete box culvert bridge.
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Name: Luzerne County Main Road Improvements
Request Amount: $3,870,000
Intended Recipient: Luzerne County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Luzerne County is seeking financial assistance to cover the costs of road reconstruction and drainage improvements to Main Road, which is located in Hunlock and Ross Townships. Reconstruction and drainage improvements will be made to approximately 7.74 miles of roadway. Main Road is a locally owned road that is part of the federal aid system. Main Road is classified as a rural major collector road, and the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) count is 2,947.
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Name: Johnston Street Bridge Replacement
Request Amount: $2,700,000
Intended Recipient: New Milford Borough
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 948 Main Street, New Milford, PA 18834
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
New Milford Borough is in dire need of replacing the severely deteriorated single lane Johnston Street Bridge. This steel bridge built in 1913, is located near the start of Johnston Street, a dead-end street in the borough. A bridge inspection conducted in 2019 noted several areas of deterioration. The borough completed the recommended repairs, and another inspection was done in June of 2022 showing that further deterioration has occurred and recommended minimum repairs needed to keep the bridge open, including reducing the weight limit to 4 tons. This weight limit restricts trucks weighing significantly more, including ambulances, fire trucks, school buses and delivery trucks. If this bridge were to fail further, residents on the dead-end side will be stranded.
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Name: City of Williamsport Old City Revitalization Initiative
Request Amount: $2,662,215
Intended Recipient: City of Williamsport
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 100 West 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA 11701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Old City Revitalization Initiative will be a continuation of a 2015 Old City Revitalization Plan adopted by the Williamsport, Pennsylvania City Government to invest in local infrastructure improvements and pedestrian connectivity, modernizing City streetlights and making other streetscape improvements that will connect this project area to the City’s already very impactful Susquehanna Riverwalk via a recreational trail connector addition. CDS funding will launch the next phase of development beyond $57 million invested to date, which will be felt across the Williamsport community for decades to come by improving local infrastructure and creating the foundation for a more vibrant neighborhood in the City of Williamsport by leveraging a $25 million private sector investment in a mixed-use project that will include retail, health care, and critically needed downtown housing.
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Name: Williamsport Levee Flood Control Project
Request Amount: $3,500,000
Intended Recipient: City of Williamsport
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 100 West 3rd Street, Williamsport, PA 11701
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
In an effort to mitigate the potential for catastrophic flooding of Williamsport’s economic epicenter, largely due to the increase in unpredictable severe weather events due to climate change factors, Williamsport will enhance and improve the levee’s pump stations, electrical systems, relief wells, cross pipes, and related infrastructure, to improve and upgrade this levee system. This should result in full certification and accreditation of the levee system, which is currently out of compliance. If not, flood insurance will increase impacting businesses, which will depart the city because of high costs, as well as residents.
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Name: Schuylkill County Emergency Operations Center
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Schuylkill County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 401 North 2nd Street, Pottsville, PA 17901
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Schuylkill County plans to construct and operate a new facility to serve as the County Emergency Operations Center with the capability of providing emergency backup to our 911 Response Team. Funding will be utilized to construct Emergency Management offices, operation center, IT room, restrooms and a shower totaling 5,120 SF of floor area which is a high priority need for the county.
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Name: Susquehanna County Recreation Center
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Susquehanna County Recreation Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1376 State Route 92, South Gibson, PA 18842
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The project will construct a community childcare and education space. The building will include a childcare center – a daycare center, a multi-media room to be used for long-distance learning (through Johnson College), a multi-purpose room, office and lobby. The Day Care Center will be operated by the Greater Scranton YMCA. In addition, the Area Agency on Aging will conduct programs for seniors in the facility.
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Name: Danville Area Community Center
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: The Danville Area Community Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1041 Liberty St, Danville, PA 17821
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Funds will be used for renovations and upgrades to the current Danville Area Community Center facility including a new roof, new HVAC systems, new lighting, paint, carpeting. Additional space will be added to reinstitute a day-care program, before school and after school programs for youth, and an arts program. The DACC previously housed a daycare, and before and after school programs for youth but was determined to be out of compliance due to facility needs including separate bathroom facilities for the children. This project will rectify that shortcoming to allow the programs to return. These programs are a major community need.
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Name: Mahanoy Township Interconnect Project
Request Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Schuylkill County Municipal Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 221 South Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA) plans to construct an interconnect with the Mahanoy Township Authority (MTA) for required supplemental drinking water and fire protection including the design, permitting and construction of a metering station, water booster pumping station and approximately 1 mile of pipeline to connect both systems.
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Name: Susquehanna Avenue Stormwater and Sewer Separation
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Sunbury
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 225 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The city of Sunbury owns and is responsible for maintaining Susquehanna Avenue which runs from Front to Reagan Street. The undersized and deteriorated utilities that run beneath the street, narrow street width, and lack of accessible pedestrian facilities, are a serious threat to the health and safety of the city residents. The project will alleviate flooding and eliminate the back up untreated sewage. The existing line becomes inundated during heavy rain events and a combination of water and untreated sewage backs up into storm drains and sewer laterals, which results in raw sewage being discharged to streets and residential properties. Raw sewage in flood waters is a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, making people more likely to encounter these harmful contaminates. The water, sewer, and stormwater systems that run underneath the street are in poor condition, from age and deterioration of materials. Several thousand lineal feet of decayed, clay sewer piping is causing infiltration into the sewage collection system. Also, the roots of the street trees have infested the sewer main in at least one block.
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Name: Luzerne County Fairgrounds
Request Amount: $1,024,687
Intended Recipient: The Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 3605 SR 118, Dallas, PA 18612
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The proposed project for the Fair Updates and Improvements will include renovations of existing infrastructure and will involve interior and exterior upgrades to numerous buildings on the fairgrounds including to roofing, siding, HVAC, electrical infrastructure, insolation, as well as general improvements, and updates for modernization of our facilities. The improvements will also include renovations to our water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure. The proposal also includes the construction of a new welcome and security center on the grounds as well as new bathroom facilities. The final part of the proposal includes vast improvements to the overall parking infrastructure to ensure the safety of fairgoers and school students as the grounds are used in the case of emergency evacuations for local districts.
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Name: Bradford County Broadband Expansion
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Central Bradford County Economic Development Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1 Elizabeth Street, Suite 4, Towanda, PA 18848.
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Progress Authority started the development and implementation of a dark fiber open access network in Bradford County to deliver broadband service to businesses and residents. The project is designed as three redundant dark fiber loops, which come within six miles of every resident and business in the County. In cooperation with the Bradford County Commissioners, the planning, designing, and now construction of this network is well underway. Over 200 miles of the open access network are complete and are currently serving anchor clients like the Bradford County Emergency Management System and Guthrie Health Care.
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Name: Patriot's Cove Improvement Project
Request Amount: $139,739
Intended Recipient: Patriots Cove Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 4334 SR 29 South, Noxen, PA 18636
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Acquisition of an excavator to be utilized for safety and improvement projects to better serve injured and ill veterans, first responders and their caregivers in therapeutic outdoor activities at Patriots Cove.
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Community Funding Projects Requests for FY2023
Project Name: Alvernia University Pottsville CollegTowne Campus Programming and Classroom/Technology Upgrades
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Alvernia University
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: Alvernia University, 400 Saint Bernardine St. Reading, PA 19607
Explanation of the request:
Alvernia University is committed to advancing sustainable economic development and access to high quality education in the communities where its located. Since 1995, the University has operated an important satellite campus in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania offering programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes to rural central Pennsylvania. The University is advancing the relocation and expansion of its Schuylkill campus to downtown Pottsville. The new campus will offer the addition of two new degree programs, academic enhancements to several existing programs, and campus-wide modernization and technology upgrade improvements. The request will fund:
- Two state-of-the-art microbiology labs to support the proposed development and implementation of a new Bachelor of Science Nursing degree program. The labs will support Alvernia’s healthcare programs and a partnership with the McCloskey School of Nursing at the Lehigh Valley Health Network. ($500,000)
- The development of a state-of-the-art simulation lab allowing for interprofessional skill development. This lab would provide opportunities for communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, patient/family-centered care, and team functioning. Through interprofessional simulation experiences, Alvernia will prepare nursing students for future collaborative practices essential for healthcare success. ($250,000)
- Smart educational technology to outfit of all the interactive, connected
- classrooms. ($250,000)
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Project Name: Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center
Request Amount: $1,098,232
Intended Recipient: Ben Franklin Technology Partners Northeastern Pennsylvania
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 116 Research Drive Plaza Level Bethlehem, PA 18015
Explanation of the request:
The Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center has provided significant regional economic development impact, so its maintenance is an important investment priority in the business technology infrastructure. The Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center is a valuable member of the area’s economic development ecosystem. The incubator is doing great work to bridge higher education and local business, encourage high-tech entrepreneurship, and bring good technology-based jobs to a rural community. The funding would be used for needed maintenance and upgrades to the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center, specifically a reliable HVAC and state-of-the-art telecommunication equipment.
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Name: Carbon County’s Emergency Training Facility
Request Amount: $2,500,000
Intended Recipient: County of Carbon
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2 Hazard Square Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
Explanation of the request:
The funding would be used for the construction of a fire & law enforcement training tower and law enforcement weapons & tactics training building, as well as the construction of a 250,000-gallon retention pond for recycled water for the burn tower. The training facilities will allow for local law enforcement and an all-volunteer fire service to best prepare for different types of emergencies.
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Name: Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc.’s Sewer Project trading as The Luzerne County Fair
Request Amount: $100,000
Intended Recipient: Dallas Area Fall Fair Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 3605 SR 118 Dallas, PA 186.
Explanation of the request:
The Luzerne County Fair donates the fairgrounds to numerous non-profit organizations in the community. It is imperative that the grounds be maintained and safe for all these groups, as well and the numerous schools and universities that use the grounds as an evacuation site and utility companies that use it during natural disasters and outages. The funding would be used for physical infrastructure on the grounds and connections to the sewer.
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Name: Extension of the Schuylkill River Trail – Mill Creek Section
Request Amount: $915,000
Intended Recipient: Schuylkill River Greenway Association
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient:140 College Drive Pottstown, PA 19464
Explanation of the request:
Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area (SRG) is a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting people and communities to the Schuylkill River. One of the primary tools they use to accomplish this goal is the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT), which we build, maintain and promote in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
The funding would be used for the construction of 4.5 miles of trail at the northern end of the Schuylkill River Tail, a section beginning in St. Clair and ending in Frackville, Schuylkill County
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Name: Identified Flood Control Projects for Columbia County
Request Amount: $2,300,000
Intended Recipient: Columbia County Board of Commissioners
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 11 West Main Street Main Street County Annex Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Explanation of the request:
The Columbia County Commissioners are in the process of finalizing studies to continue the existing flood control system already in place in Columbia County. These funds would assist with engineering components to develop shovel ready projects that would be implemented based upon the cost benefit analysis identified during the engineering process.
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Name: Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails Phase 10B
Request Amount: $2,790,866.50
Intended Recipient: Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: P.O. Box 2043, Cleona, PA 17042
Explanation of the request:
Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails re-envisions the use of abandoned railroad railbeds throughout Lebanon County, transforming abandoned infrastructure into recreational paths used by community members. The funding would be used to construct the Phase 10B path which will run from Pine Tree Road in Swatara Township, Lebanon County northward to a connection with the existing trails in Swatara State Park near Lickdale, PA.
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Name: Luzerne County Main Road Improvements
Request Amount: $3,870,000
Intended Recipient: County of Luzerne
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Explanation of the request:
The funding would be used for reconstruction and drainage improvements for Main Road, which is in Hunlock and Ross Townships, Pennsylvania. Reconstruction and drainage improvements will be made to approximately 7.74 miles of roadway.
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Name: Luzerne County Sweet Valley Road Improvements
Request Amount: $1,555,000
Intended Recipient: County of Luzerne
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Explanation of the request:
The funding would be used for reconstruction and drainage improvements for Sweet Valley Road, which is in Ross Township, Pennsylvania. Reconstruction and drainage improvements will be made to approximately 3.11 miles of roadway.
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Name: Mahanoy Township Interconnect Project
Request Amount: $4,000,000
Intended Recipient: Schuylkill County Municipal Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 221 South Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901
Explanation of the request:
The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA), the County’s largest water and wastewater service purveyor, plans to construct an interconnect with the adjoining Mahanoy Township Authority (MTA) for the purchase of additional bulk water to supplement the existing SCMA Mt. Laurel System. The Mt. Laurel System currently supplies drinking water and fire protection to the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) at Schuylkill, the State Correctional Institute (SCI) at Frackville, SCI at Mahanoy, the Schuylkill Highridge Business Park (4,000 jobs), Mahanoy Business Park (1,400 jobs), and 200 residential customers. Additional water capacity is needed to supplement the system to remain sustainable and allow additional expansion to the service area for more job creation and economic development. The project includes the design, permitting and construction of a metering station, water booster pumping station and approximately 1 mile of pipeline to connect both systems.
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Name: Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Borough of Orwigsburg
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 209 North Warren Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
Explanation of the request:
The Veterans Community Memorial Hall and the surrounding ground is a central hub for the Orwigsburg community. The funding would be used for improvements to the local, Borough owned Veterans Community Memorial Hall and surrounding grounds. The various improvements would include computer terminals for use by the community, increased security, and fire detection systems to protect and preserve the Veterans Memorial area currently being constructed. Exterior improvements would include the construction of an enclosed multi-Purpose building facility for use by the many local baseball and softball organizations throughout the entire year.
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Name: Penn State Health St. Joseph Family Birthing Center Renovation
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2500 Bernville Rd, Reading, PA 19605
Explanation of the request:
Penn State St. Joseph Breidegam Family Birthing Center is a unique facility providing comprehensive maternal child health care for over 15 years. The facility welcomes approximately 600 new lives into the world annually and ensures that these babies receive a healthy start. The funding would be used to update the atmosphere, equipment, technology, and amenities in the birthing suites.
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Name: Richland Borough Water System Upgrade
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Borough of Richland
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 5 Pine Street, P.O. Box 676, Richland, PA 17087.
Explanation of the request:
Richland Borough is a small community in Lebanon County with an aging public water supply system. The Borough realizes that, and in 2021 approved the preparation of a water system evaluation study. The evaluation identified and prioritized recommended upgrades to the water system to enhance the system.
The funding requested by the Borough would be used for a water system upgrade that would consist of the installation of a well to provide an additional water supply. Along with the well instillation the funds would be used for the installation of a 500,000 Gallon Elevated Storage Tank which would improve water system pressure, improve fire flows, and improve the reliability of the public water distribution system.
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Name: Runway 13 Approach Lighting
Request Amount: $2,300,000
Intended Recipient: ReadingRegional Airport Authority
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 2501 Bernville Road, Reading PA 19605
Explanation of the request:
Runway 13 is the primary runway surface at the Reading Regional Airport. The Runway is 6,350ft long and 150ft wide. The runway is the preferred runway for business aircraft and 737 charter operations. The project is to construct approach lighting to Runway 13 that meets all FAA requirements. The funding would be used to construct approach lighting to Runway 13.
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Name: WEPA Empowerment Center
Request Amount: $1,700,000
Intended Recipient: WEPA Empowerment Center Inc.
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 9 South 9th Street Lebanon, PA 17042
Explanation of the request:
WEPA Empowerment Center Inc is developing a “one-stop shop,” community-based, workforce development center in collaboration with the Spanish American Civic Association of Lancaster to be in the Central Business District of Lebanon City. The funding would be used for construction renovations to the cite that one day will host the center.
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Community Funding Projects Requests for FY2022
Project Name: Alvernia University Pottsville Campus Programming and Classroom/Technology Upgrades
Request Amount: $2,580,000
Intended Recipient: Alvernia University Pottsville Campus
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: Alvernia University, 400 Saint Bernardine St. Reading, PA 19607
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Alvernia University is committed to advancing sustainable economic development and access to high quality education in the communities where its located. Since 1995, the University has operated an important satellite campus in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania offering programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes to rural central Pennsylvania. The University is advancing the relocation and expansion of its Schuylkill campus to downtown Pottsville. The new campus will offer the addition of two new degree programs, academic enhancements to several existing programs, and campus-wide modernization and technology upgrade improvements. The request will fund programming and classroom and technology upgrades for the new campus. The new 16,000-sq-ft campus space will include:
- Two state-of-the-art microbiology labs to support the proposed development and implementation of a new Bachelor of Science Nursing degree program. The labs will support Alvernia’s healthcare programs and a proposed partnership with the McCloskey School of Nursing at the Lehigh Valley Health Network based on regional employer needs.
- Two heavy equipment simulators to deliver dynamic student training and safety results through the power of state-of-the-art virtual learning. These training simulators help students develop the necessary skills to enter the field of heavy equipment operating and can be used during day and evening classes, regardless of weather conditions, to improve access to and quality of educational programming.
- Smart educational technology outfit of all classrooms, interactive connected classrooms, and 50 new computers for the labs.
The request also provides for the development of two new programs (Bachelor of Science Nursing and Bachelor of Logistics), the enhancement of three existing programs (Bachelor of Behavior Health, Bachelor of Education, and Master of Education), and faculty for the first year of the new and enhanced programs.
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Project Name: Lebanon Valley College Nursing & Interdisciplinary Health Education Facility
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Lebanon Valley College
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: Lebanon Valley College, 101 North College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003-1400
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
In April 2021, the PA State Board of Nursing approved the creation of a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing program at LVC--the only such program in Lebanon County. To support the program’s needs, LVC will construct a facility that accommodates 40-60 new nursing students in each (annual) incoming class, as well as 14+ new full-time faculty/staff. The building will contain multiple teaching spaces, including five simulation labs, two skills labs with exam spaces, three classrooms, a wet lab, and a home health simulation area. Skills and simulation labs serve as a bridge between theoretical courses and clinical placements, supporting procedural training and providing high-tech manikins and specialized equipment; there is no existing campus space to support such requirements. The addition of a BSN program is a strategic fit within LVC’s academic programs and 20-year history in health professions. The facility also provides capacity for LVC to launch future companion health programs.
The project received a $500,000 grant in PA’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (Round 1, 2020). An additional request for $3.5 million has been filed in Round 2 of the RACP application process. With the April 2021 approval of the nursing degree by the PA State Board of Nursing, fundraising among alumni and friends of the College has begun in earnest to garner additional support for the facility.
LVC’s four-year nursing program will be the only one in Lebanon County. In Pennsylvania, the demand for RN positions is expected to grow by 13.4% by 2026, and by 15.7% in the Mideast. The American Nurses Association projects that 1.1 million newly trained RNs will be needed by next year to fill new job openings and turnover due to retirements. Labor market indicators show that 88.4% of employers prefer students with a BSN degree, suggesting LVC graduates will immediately be in high demand. LVC also is exploring a new partnership with a regional health care provider to deliver continuing education services for its nursing staff.
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Name: Glen Lyon-Alden Volunteer Hose Company and Newport Township Consolidated Fire Company Emergency Response Center
Request Amount: $374,992
Intended Recipient: Glen Lyon-Alden Volunteer Hose Company and Newport Township Consolidated Fire Company
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: Glen Lyon-Alden Volunteer Hose Company PO Box 63 Glen Lyon, PA 18617 Signed Financial Disclosure Letter – (link the attached)
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project will include construction of additional 565 sq. ft. to the rear of the build. The new building design and construction will provide for ADA Toilet Facilities, Shower / Locker Room and secure storage area to house mechanical and electrical equipment. The addition will be similar construction to the existing. Security, energy conservation, and controlled accessibility are primary considerations in the proposed design. The proposed project will call for internal reconfiguration of existing space to maximize operational efficiency while provide for a safer and secure working environment. All design and construction shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code as accepted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all Accessibility Codes affecting the project. At the present time Newport Township does not have a secure building to serve as an Emergency Response Center. In the event of an emergency the Community does not have a central location, sufficient in size to serve as a temporary evacuation / mobilization point.
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Name: Schuylkill County Intermediate Punishment Facility
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Schuylkill County
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 401 N. 2nd Street, Pottsville, PA 17901
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
An Intermediate Punishment Facility will allow for inmates with mental health, drug and alcohol issues to receive appropriate treatment and life skills and job training. Such a facility will provide a mechanism to avoid chronic recidivism, which plagues our criminal justice system currently. The facility would house inmates as well as offices for Adult Probation, who will operate the IPC. The size of the facility would be 45,000 sq. ft. The County did a study back in 2018 which stressed the need for an IPC to 1(address the need to eliminate overcrowding and triple celling inmates at the County Prison and 2)provide a facility to allow for treatment for those inmates suffering conditions such as mental health issues and drug and/or alcohol addiction. The County Prison does not have any space available for outside agencies to provide services.
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Name: Berwick Area YMCA Renovation Project
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Berwick YMCA
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 231 W. Third Street, Berwick, PA 18603
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
The Berwick Area YMCA is proposing to construct a new gymnasium and community center in Berwick, PA. The new facilities would house community recreation and sports programs for youth and seniors, food distribution programs, enhance child care operations, youth feeding programs and provide a multitude of health and wellness programs in our significantly underserved communities. This project will enhance the social determinants of health, education, and food and nutrition for the most impoverished. During the recent COVID crisis the YMCA transitioned to a COVID relief organization that provided food distribution to seniors and families in poverty, daily meals to children, virtual learning centers to mitigate the challenges of hybrid school schedules, blood drives, child care for essential workers and was a COVID vaccine site. This new project will improve these services while allowing us to be even better prepared to respond to future emergencies.
The YMCA is the central hub for health and social programs in our community and is recognized as a catalyst for bringing others together to solve community needs. No other entity in Berwick provides the services we do while meeting the needs of the most impoverished residents. Despite all the successful programs we deliver, our current facilities have reached their full capacity are no longer adequate to meet the demand and need for services for all residents and we have no space to add new programs or services our community needs. Many who need our programs and facilities to develop healthy lifestyles, obtain food or improve and extend their lives cannot be served. This particularly impacts the elderly and impoverished, who cannot afford health club memberships and who obtain these services charitably from the YMCA. There is strong local support for the project as evidenced by the fact that we have raised over $1,250,000 in private donations from just 18 gifts. Our state senator has endorsed the project with $750,000 of financial support from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. We have the local support of all our regional elected officials for this project including the county commissioners, Berwick mayor and borough council, State Representative Millard and State Senator Gordner as well as other community leaders, all who will provide letters of support. We receive broad coverage and recognition from local media outlets on a regular basis. The YMCA is extremely popular with our local community, as one in three residents use the YMCA for some program or service each year. We are the largest provider of childcare services in the county and one of the largest providers of food programs per capita in northeast PA.
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Name: Borough of Jim Thorpe’s Facilities Upgrade Project
Request Amount: $2,500,000
Intended Recipient: Jim Thorpe Borough
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 101 East 10th Street, Jim Thorpe PA 18229
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Jim Thorpe Borough, located in northeast Pennsylvania in Carbon County is a small town with a bustling tourism industry. In recent years, the Borough has outgrown its current municipal complex including its municipal building, Memorial Hall. The building is in need of repairs and renovations. The hall currently offers vital services to residents including food pantry services for low-income and elderly residents, vaccine clinics, including recent COVID vaccine distribution, and emergency shelter services. The Facilities Upgrade Project would allow Jim Thorpe to relocate and expand these vital services offered to residents of the borough through Memorial Hall. The funding of $2,500,000 to renovate of Memorial Hall will provide the Borough of Jim Thorpe an opportunity to provide much needed renewal and expansion of their community center that offers important services to the citizens of Jim Thorpe. In addition to renovating their current space, this project would allow the Borough to relocate their police and administrative offices into the new Memorial Hall, providing greater service and security to the citizens of Jim Thorpe.
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Name: Study for the Restoration of Passenger Rail Service Between Berks County and Philadelphia.
Request Amount: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: County of Berks
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 633 Court Street Reading, PA 19601
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Two recent studies have emphasized not only the feasibility of restoring passenger train service between Berks County, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, but have also underscored the impact that this will have on the regional economy, the environment and transportation infrastructure. The three counties through which this service will travel have formed a joint committee to explore creating a Municipal Authority to develop the service. It is envisioned that passengers will be able to move between communities along the corridor to Center City Philadelphia and beyond. Both studies estimate that more 2 million trips will be made along the corridor annually. As vehicular traffic has created increased congestion along the highways serving these communities and travel times have dramatically increased, passenger rail service becomes an efficient and effective way to move people along the corridor. Recent developments in the communities which will be served by this service, such as Drexel University launching a Medical School adjacent to Reading, will increase the importance of returning passenger service.
A portion of the corridor that would be used for this service is owned by Norfolk-Southern and is used for freight train service. To move ahead with the full project, we will need to identify the capital investments that will be required by Norfolk-Southern (NS) in order to allow passenger trains to use their corridor. NS will require a capacity analysis and an environmental assessment, which will identify the improvements that will have to be made to the rail line to allow passenger trains. This work is important to securing public and private funding to support these capital improvements. The funding from this grant, if awarded, would support the studies required by Norfolk-Southern.
It is estimated that restoration of passenger rail service along this corridor will result in a 5 percent reduction in vehicular traffic on the highways now used for traveling between the communities along this corridor. Travel times between Reading and Philadelphia continue to increase. Passenger rail service would provide faster and cheaper service between Reading and the other stations along the corridor (Pottstown, Phoenixville and Royersford) to Philadelphia. Moreover, it is possible that the restored service could allow passengers to not only travel to Philadelphia, but further to New York and Washington, as well as points in between.
This is much more than a transportation project. It is estimated the restoration of passenger rail service will result in over $1 billion in increased property value in the core communities that will serve as the local stations. This includes both new development and redevelopment of urban properties in cities like Reading and Pottstown. One anticipated result of the Covid-19 Pandemic experience is the impact that it could have on smaller cities that can offer amenities, including access to passenger rail service. The Drexel Medical School, which potentially will serve 400 medical students and the requisite faculty and staff is a harbinger of this development. It is estimated that the restoration of passenger rail service will increase local and state revenues along the corridor as well.
The transportation and economic benefits of this project are significant. So is the environmental impact. Fewer cars on the road is one obvious way in which this impact will be felt. The trains are a more efficient way to move people, resulting in lower emissions. One of the options being explored for the engines to be used is a dual-powered locomotive that could use both overhead and battery powered electricity as fuel. As evidenced in other communities which have introduced or expanded passenger rail service, there could be significant redevelopment of properties at or near the urban stations along the corridor, which could have the indirect benefit of encouraging development in already developed areas rather than in green space.
The reestablishment of passenger rail as an intercity service will have significantly greater economic impact on jobs, income, and tax base expansion, as well as property development (TOD) than a commuter service. The Feasibility study suggests that over 30 years it would create –
- 28,000 person years of work
- $1.4 Billion of income generation
- over $1 Billion of new property development and existing property value increases
- and nearly $1 Billion expansion of the local and federal tax base
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Name: Columbia Street Arch Bridge
Request Amount: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
This project involves a replacement of the bridge carrying Columbia Street (PA 443) over the Schuylkill River in Schuylkill Haven Borough, Schuylkill County. The Columbia Street Arch bridge is 100 years old, originally constructed in 1921. The bridge is currently in poor condition and is in need of a full replacement.
The Columbia Street Arch Bridge carries State Route 443 over the Schuylkill River in the borough of Schuylkill Haven. The Schuylkill River run throughs the borough of Schuylkill Haven, dividing it into two sections. The bridge carries significant traffic including emergency vehicles, school buses and transit buses with an average daily traffic of 10,447 vehicles. The bridge also carries pedestrian traffic, however, the sidewalk on one side of the bridge was closed in 2018 due to concerns about deterioration. Replacement of the bridge will ensure safe crossing for vehicles and pedestrians between the two sections of Schuylkill Haven. Closure of the bridge will result in a significant detour with the closest Schuylkill River crossing outside of Schuylkill Haven in the Borough of Cressona. This would have an impact on emergency response because the Schuylkill Haven Police Department is located on the east side of Schuylkill Haven and closure of the bridge would delay response time for incidents on the west side of the borough.
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Name: Independence Street Downtown Makeover (Implementation project from GoShamokin Revitalization Plan)
Request Amount: $2,675,000
Intended Recipient: City of Shamokin
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 47 East Lincoln Street, Shamokin, PA 17872
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Independence Street Makeover:
- Limited Field Survey sufficient for construction plan preparation, most notably intersections for ADA upgrades.
- Hardscape Improvement plans that would focus on the replacing the existing unit accent pavers, repairing any damaged concrete sidewalks, and upgrading ADA ramps and crosswalks. Curblines would remain as is except as are required at intersection to upgrade for current ADA compliance and the redesign the northern curb-line of the block from Washington to Rock Streets, where the street is currently very wide; drainage improvements.
- New crosswalk marking plans or crosswalk treatments (i.e. texture paving) will be prepared.
- A street tree planting plan will be developed.
- A streetscape amenities plan that includes replacing light fixtures, benches, trash/recycling receptables, and vertical planters to provide additional greenery in place and in addition to street trees, depending on the location. Planting plans for the planter will be prepared.
Shamokin (0.8 square mile) is a post-industrial city located in Northumberland County that had boomed in the late nineteenth century but has struggled to maintain economic vitality since the decline of the mining and textile industries.
The GoShamokin Revitalization Project responds to a special Shamokin community driven desire to proactively invent itself with fresh initiatives that will enable community members to revitalize itself with fresh initiatives by harnessing new opportunities, such as the recent influx in tourism through the introduction of over 8,500 acres of former coal lands in the Shamokin Area which now comprise the Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area (AOAA). The AOAA is a family-friendly motorized and non-motorized recreation facility that attracts 30,000 visitors annually. In addition, there are such tourist attractions such as nearby Knoebels Amusement Park, Weiser State Forest, PSSA Valley Gun & Country Club that attract nearly 1.5 million visitors collectively to the Shamokin Area each year.
The city of Shamokin is experiencing an economic rebirth but is an Act 47 Commonwealth designated distressed 3rd class city. Economic development strategies and thoughtful design initiatives are necessary steps to accomplish meaningful transformation to further support the efforts already occurring. The creation of successful places is a function of a thoughtfully considered mixes of uses, location, design and supporting infrastructure systems; working together to form economically vibrant and sustainable building blocks of an overall town.
Independence Street is the city’s main commercial corridor and is located 2 blocks from the Sunbury Street/Route 61. The downtown benefits from not being a heavily trafficked through-put arterial roadway, making it more pedestrian-oriented and suitable for main street-type development. While PennDOT has listed improvements to Sunbury Street/Route 61 on the Long-Range Transportation Plan (TIP) for the region, the project is not currently funded for design. There are no long-range plans or funding options for the downtown makeover to Independence St.
The biggest barrier to pedestrian mobility in the downtown is the intersection crossings. Performing a makeover of Independence Street (which is located in a Federal Opportunity Zone and eligible Historic District) is an imperative initiative in the community to upgrade the downtown with a focus on ADA/safety and aesthetic improvements such as architectural lighting, planters, banners, etc. which will all have a major impact in supporting the influx of tourists, attracting new business to the downtown and creating better livability for the nearly 7,000 citizens of Shamokin.
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Name: Columbia County Phase 3 Flood Mitigation Project
Request Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: Columbia County, SEDA-Council of Governments
Full Street Address of the Intended Recipient: 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Signed Financial Disclosure Letter
Explanation of the request:
Columbia County and the Town of Bloomsburg continue to prioritize flood risk management systems as a must when considering retention and expansion of the local economy. This funding will help complete the third phase of a much-needed flood risk management system. This proposed structure is approximately 2,700-3,000 feet and will tie into an area near the existing Kawneer facility. The project will serve 9 businesses and protect 470 jobs in the project area, all located in the regulatory floodplain. The County of Columbia was declared a Major Disaster by FEMA on September 12, 2011, because of historic flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee. During Tropical Storm Lee, more than 10 inches of rainfall was recorded over several days. Many businesses were first hit by flooding from nearby Fishing Creek, and then again when the Susquehanna River flooded its banks and eventually crested at a record flood stage of 32.7 feet. Without appropriate flood control systems in place, companies could shift production to other facilities outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in some cases, outside of the Country leaving large vacant sites and the loss of hundreds of jobs. An engineering agreement was executed on April 1, 2021, between Columbia County and Borton Lawson Engineering, Inc for the preliminary planning and design of the project.
Appropriation funding for this flood protection system would provide the following ancillary benefits:
- Saving of thousands of dollars in flood insurance premiums,
- increased property values,
- creation of jobs by attracting employees to the area.
- flood protection and resiliency to future flooding.
This project would diversify the regional economy by providing flood protection to various types of small and large businesses, allowing them to remain in the community. If they are flooded, the chances are greater that they will close the location and/or relocate to another area. This project will provide protection for Kawneer, manufacturer of a broad range of architectural aluminum systems from curtain walls and entrances to framing systems and windows. This global company employs approximately 350 and is the top 5 employers in Columbia County.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Member Designated Project Request
Project Name: Route 61 Revitalization
Project Location: PA 61 between Saint Clair and Frackville Boroughs in Schuylkill County, PA
Project Sponsor: Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance/PennDOT
Requested Amount: $15,200,000
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Project Name: 222 from 61 to BUS 222
Project Location: Berks County, PA
Project Sponsor: PennDOT
Requested Amount: $5,545,480