Pennsylvania DCED Approves $4.4 Million in Community Development Block Grants for Projects in 10 Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin today announced the approval of $4.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for projects in Columbia, Forest, Luzerne, Mercer, Montgomery, Northumberland, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Westmoreland counties.

"Access to funding can stand in the way of municipalities undertaking the simplest of projects to enhance the quality of life for residents," Davin said. "From fighting blight to road reconstruction, these funds will be utilized to make the projects a reality, and DCED is committed to sustaining efforts to assist communities across the commonwealth."

The following municipalities were recently approved for funding through the CDBG program:

• $236,383 to be used in Columbia County for street improvements in Hemlock Township, improve street safety in Briar Creek Borough, wastewater treatment plant improvements in Locust Township, and park improvements in Benton Borough.
• $132,929 to be used in Berwick Borough, Columbia County for road reconstruction.
• $167,583 to be used in Bloomsburg, Columbia County for Phase II of the Streater recreation improvement project.
• $206,690 to be used in Forest County to upgrade a portion of the Jenks Township storm sewer system and rehabilitate a section of the single span, two-lane bridge in Kingsley Township.  
• $638,255 to be used in Mercer County for infrastructure improvements in Grove City Borough; housing rehabilitation in Greenville, Mercer, and Sharpsville boroughs as well as Coolspring, East Lackawannock, Findley, Hempfield, and Pine townships; handicap accessibility in Greenville and Sharpsville boroughs; the demolition of several dilapidated structures in Greenville Borough; and the Community Counseling Center of Mercer County to increase access to client services.
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Hermitage, Mercer County for housing rehabilitation and facility improvements to improve access to The Arc of Mercer County and the Mercer County Community Counseling Center.
• $112,001 to be used in Conshohocken Borough, Montgomery County to continue the operation of the Housing Rehabilitation Program for rehab construction and services, and the construction of curb ramps to enhance neighborhood accessibility. 
• $193,062 to be used in Limerick Township, Montgomery County for the rehabilitation of up to eight single-family, occupied properties to be brought up to township building code standards. 
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County for ramp installation and accessibility modifications to increase accessibility citywide.
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Pittston, Luzerne County for the construction of an elevator at the firehouse on Kennedy Street, Jefferson Park rehabilitation, rehabilitation of homes, and to support the St. Mary's Housing project to convert a former school to senior housing.
• $132,185 to be used in Coal Township, Northumberland County for street improvements and to demolish a deteriorated building.  
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Shamokin, Northumberland County for street improvements, the demolition of blighted properties, and the purchase of an emergency squad vehicle for the fire department.
• $215,136 to be used in Potter County to construct a new water storage tank and develop a back-up well in Genesee Township.
• $205,573 to be used in Sullivan County to renovate a community facility and housing rehabilitation.
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Sunbury, Northumberland County for the complete road reconstruction, including water, sewer, and storm water improvements.
• $237,591 to be used in Susquehanna County for street repairs in Susquehanna Borough, public park improvements in Lanesboro Borough, fighting blight in Forest City Borough, and countywide housing rehabilitation.    
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Arnold, Westmoreland County to replace a deteriorated sanitary sewer line, replace old fire turnout gear, and demolish deteriorated building.
• $274,500 to be used in the City of Jeannette, Westmoreland County for housing rehabilitation, clearance and demolition, general administration and street improvements on walks and curbs to increase the accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• $84,701 to be used in Scottdale Borough, Westmoreland County for various community development initiatives throughout the borough.

The Community Development Block Grant program is federally funded and provides funding for the smaller communities and rural areas of the commonwealth for community development including but not limited to housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement, development, and planning.

For more information about the CDBG program and other DCED initiatives, visit www.newPA.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dan Carrigan, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

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