HARRISBURG — Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48), Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-5) and Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) today announced more than $400,000 in Local Share Account funding was awarded to Berks County projects to improve public safety.
“Our first responders put themselves on the line every day to protect our communities, and these important projects help ensure they have the support they need,” Gebhard said. “I’m grateful to see funding from Hollywood Casino Morgantown invested back into our fire departments, EMS and public safety.”
“This grant funding will go a long way in improving the lives of district residents through improved public safety and recreational opportunities,” Weaknecht said. “I am proud to have helped secure the funding for our area.”
“When a car crash occurs, we depend on our first responders to come to our aid,” Barton said about the Hamburg project. “But they need to have dependable tools to be able to do their jobs properly. This funding doesn’t just benefit Union Fire Company; it also benefits every single driver who makes their way through Hamburg.”
The following projects were awarded funding:
- Berks County — $150,000 to purchase and upfit a crime scene response vehicle.
- Hamburg Borough, on behalf of Union Fire Company No. 1 — $81,898 to purchase vehicle rescue tools to remove accident victims from entrapment.
- Heidelberg Township, on behalf of Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association — $9,635 to purchase battery-operated hand tools.
- North Heidelberg Township, on behalf of Bernville Community Fire Company No. 1 — $65,000 to purchase a 400-gallon skid unit for their brush truck.
- Shoemakersville Borough — $63,806 for electrical upgrades to the concession building, restrooms and bandshell at Shoemakersville Park.
- South Heidelberg Township — $24,769 to purchase portable radios and decking systems for the South Heidelberg Township Police Department.
- Womelsdorf Borough, on behalf of the Volunteer Fire Company of Womelsdorf — $75,101 to upgrade water supply equipment including ladders, intake and discharge valves, hoses and nozzles.
Funding was awarded through the Local Share Account — Category 4 Facilities Program, which uses proceeds from gaming to support projects that improve quality of life for citizens. Local Share Account funds are distributed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
CONTACTS:
Alex Gamble (Gebhard)
Matthew Davis (Weaknecht)
Jake Gillespie (Barton)