HARRISBURG – Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) today announced state grants totaling more than $8.3 million have been awarded to the 48th District by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
“Being able to purchase life-saving equipment and enhance recreational opportunities in Lebanon, Lancaster and Berks counties without using taxpayer money is a serious win. Because of the gaming proceeds, important purchases to improve the lives of county residents won’t be delayed,” Gebhard said.
The first portion of grants were awarded through the CFA’s Local Share Account (LSA) Program, which funds projects concerning the public interest, community improvement and economic development using gaming money generated by casinos.
Berks County:
- Berks County, on behalf of the Reading Regional Airport Authority, received $91,200 for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Bern Township.
- Berks County, on behalf of Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, received $413,294 to purchase a new 3-D mammography system for use at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Bern Township.
- Centre Township received $150,000 to purchase a tractor and mower for its public works.
- Greater Berks Development Fund, on behalf of Our Town Foundation, received $98,287 for renovations to the Strand Theater in Hamburg Borough.
- Hamburg Borough, on behalf of the Union Fire Company, received $70,127 to purchase and install an emergency generator at the fire station.
- Lower Heidelberg Township received $680,000 to rehabilitate a bridge.
- Marion Township received $56,116 to purchase a trailer and emergency management equipment.
- Marion Township, on behalf of Tulpehocken Township Police Department, received $38,134 to purchase police tactical equipment and communications equipment for the police department.
- Perry Township received $136,036 for a new pavilion.
- Shoemakersville Borough received $205,000 for borough hall improvements.
- Tilden Township received $276,849 to purchase a municipal truck.
- Upper Tulpehocken Township received $297,587 for the Strausstown inclusive playground. It also received $28,286 for a new roof for the municipal building.
- Upper Tulpehocken Township, on behalf of Strausstown Volunteer Fire Company, received $249,486 to purchase and outfit a vehicle.
- Wernersville Borough, on behalf of Western Berks Fire Department, received $500,000 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus equipment.
- Womelsdorf Borough received $75,000 to restore the Womelsdorf War Memorial.
Lancaster County:
- Denver Borough received $293,504 for the installation of a water main extension project.
- Ephrata Borough Authority received $816,873 for improvements to Wissler Road Pump Station in Clay Township.
Lebanon County:
- Bethel Township, on behalf of Northern Lebanon Little League, received $25,000 to install a sprinkler system at Lions Park.
- Cleona Borough received $25,000 to purchase two MSA thermal imaging cameras and one Amkus Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan to help firefighters see through smoke and monitor the fire’s spread. It also received $65,000 to renovate the amphitheater and mini golf course at Cleona Community Park.
- Heidelberg Township, on behalf of the Schaefferstown Volunteer Fire Co., received $25,447 for new rescue equipment at vehicular crash sites.
- Jackson Township, on behalf of Keystone Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, received $33,927 to purchase and install a digital fire extinguisher training system.
- Lebanon City received $500,000 to renovate the Lebanon Fire Department Station 1.
- Lebanon County, on behalf of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, received $90,114 to purchase a small dump truck and trailer to maintain the trail system.
- Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation, on behalf of the WEPA Empowerment Center Inc., received $400,000 to rehabilitate its bilingual community-based workforce development center.
- Millcreek Township, on behalf of Newmanstown Volunteer Fire Co., received $25,000 to purchase upgraded tools for the fire station.
- Myerstown Borough, on behalf of Keystone Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, received $25,000 to purchase firefighting and rescue equipment.
- North Annville Township, on behalf of the Bellegrove Fire Co., received $25,250 to purchase a new fire engine.
- North Cornwall Township, on behalf of Neversink Fire Co., received $45,921, to upgrade the fire station. It also received $25,000 to purchase a 2024 patrol vehicle.
- North Lebanon Township received $300,000 to replace a structurally deficient wall.
- Richland Borough, on behalf of Neptune Fire Co., received $25,373 to upfit its pumper truck.
- South Londonderry Township received $400,000 to replace and rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system under Timber Road and Timber Lane.
- Swatara Township, on behalf of Bunker Hill Fire Co., received $25,194 to purchase equipment to outfit a fire truck.
- West Cornwall Township received $87,000 to purchase required battery-powered fire and rescue equipment for the fire department.
- West Lebanon Township received $58,832 for the purchase and installation of fencing, a pickleball court and a gaga ball pit at the recreation park on Lehman Street.
- Union Township received $69,514 to replace a culvert and the associate guiderail along Campmeeting Road.
- South Lebanon Township received $227,000 to add two sets of tennis courts and six pickleball courts at South Hills Memorial Park.
The final grant was awarded through the CFA’s Public School Facilities Improvement Grant (PSFIG) Program, which provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects.
Eastern Lebanon County School District received $1.5 million for a roof repair project at Eastern Lebanon County Middle School in Jackson Township. Leaks have caused interior ceiling, wall and floor damage.
All projects were funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.
CONTACT: Matthew Urban, 717-787-5708