Funding will support water and sewer systems, road improvements, emergency services, municipal equipment, recreation and redevelopment.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY — Twenty-three projects across Schuylkill County will share $4,963,362 in statewide Local Share Account (LSA) funding for infrastructure, public safety, municipal services and community improvements.
State Reps. Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton, JoAnne Stehr and Dane Watro announced the awards in separate releases with state Sen. Dave Argall.
The largest single award is $500,000 for the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority’s Mahantongo Street sewer project. Other projects range from water-main and pump-station work to road paving, new public works equipment, emergency vehicles, recreation upgrades and the redevelopment of blighted properties.
Lawmakers Discuss Schuylkill County LSA Funding
“Reliable water and sewer systems, safe roads and dependable emergency services are things our communities rely on every day,” Twardzik said. “This funding will help address long-standing needs, replace aging equipment and make important improvements that our neighbors will see and benefit from for years to come.”
Argall said the highly competitive funding will return gaming revenue to local communities while improving infrastructure, public facilities and public safety.
Barton said the eastern Schuylkill County awards will strengthen infrastructure and assist first responders, while Stehr emphasized the need for reliable emergency services and accessible public facilities in rural communities.
Watro described many of the awards as “bread-and-butter investments” that will help municipalities address local needs without placing the full cost on property taxpayers.
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
- Ashland Area Municipal Authority — $275,000: Water service meter replacement.
- Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority — $500,000: Mahantongo Street sewer project.
- Saint Clair Sewer Authority — $250,000: Replacement of the East Mine Pump Station.
- Plum Creek Municipal Authority — $400,000: Replacement of a water main from Running Deer Drive to Stag Drive in Wayne and South Manheim townships. The line serves Lake Wynonah, and the project is intended to address severe water loss and improve system reliability.
- Hegins-Hubley Authority — $277,733: Fire-protection and emergency water-supply improvements in Hegins Township, including new hydrants, emergency power, a bulk-water fill station and a water-main extension.
Roads and Municipal Equipment
- Branch Township — $82,645: Purchase of a mini excavator.
- East Norwegian Township — $115,795: Purchase of a new dump truck.
- West Mahanoy Township — $83,512: Purchase of a dump truck.
- South Manheim Township — $315,250: Purchase of a wheeled excavator.
- East Union Township — $250,000: Paving approximately 1,950 linear feet of dirt and gravel roads in Cove Village, including portions of Stratton, St. Moritz and Alpine drives, Snow Ridge Circle and Jay Peak Lane.
- McAdoo Borough — $450,000: Repairs and repaving for deteriorated borough roads, including streets that have not been paved in decades.
- Shenandoah Borough — $225,000: Modernization of the borough’s aging public works fleet used for road maintenance, stormwater work, snow removal and emergency response.
Emergency Services and Public Safety
- Schuylkill County — $200,000: Development of the Schuylkill 911 site to create a fully integrated, IP-based network connection.
- Hubley Township — $300,000: Purchase of a new ambulance for the Hegins Area Ambulance Association to replace an aging vehicle serving more than 100 square miles of rural territory.
- Ryan Township — $27,061: Purchase of an inflatable water-rescue boat for the Ryan Township Emergency Rescue Squad.
- West Penn Township — $35,145: Purchase of three vehicle-mounted cameras for township police vehicles.
Community Development, Recreation and Public Facilities
- Pottsville Area Development Corporation — $345,000: Blight redevelopment, including the acquisition of buildings at 106 N. Centre St. and 376 S. Centre St.
- Pottsville City Redevelopment Authority — $100,000: Expansion of the Schuylkill YMCA at Alvernia University’s Pottsville CollegeTowne.
- East Brunswick Township — $58,200: Purchase of property next to the township park to expand recreation facilities.
- Union Township — $76,362: Rehabilitation and paving of deteriorated public tennis courts used by youth programs and community residents.
- Pine Grove Borough — $196,159: A new roof and ADA-compliant entrance door at the borough municipal building.
- Walker Township — $200,500: Municipal building improvements.
- Ringtown Borough — $200,000: Replacement of the roof on the Tanner Street storage facility, including removal of deteriorated wood and installation of a new metal roof, siding and gutters to protect municipal equipment and materials.
How the Local Share Account Program Works
The Local Share Account Statewide program distributes gaming revenue under Pennsylvania’s Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The grants were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that administers economic-development and community-improvement programs in Pennsylvania.