MAHANOY CITY – Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) joined Mahanoy City Borough officials for a walking tour of a section of Main Street set to see significant upgrades. Argall and Watro worked to secure a state grant totaling $415,000, which will fund part of the borough’s plan to breathe new life into the downtown business district.
Funding will be used to install new curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, new lighting, benches, trees and more along Main Street.
“It’s really exciting, Mahanoy City is headed in the right direction,” said Mike Connolly, Chairperson of Mahanoy City Borough Council. “10 years ago, if you came to this town, you never would have thought we were going where we’re going.”
“When I first joined the Senate, one of the first decisions awaiting me was if I should maintain the downtown office established here by Senator Jim Rhoades,” said Argall “I agreed, as one small step in aiding the local efforts to get Mahanoy City back on its feet. I’ve never regretted that decision!
“I’m thankful this highly competitive funding will help them take their next big step.”
“This is a great project that’s going to do so much for the community by attracting new businesses and beautifying the area,” said Watro. “I was happy to work with Senator Argall to acquire this funding which will breathe new life into Mahanoy City.”
The borough has recently issued a record number of occupancy permits for people to repair older homes. In the last three months, several new businesses have opened their doors, including Merengue II Cake Restaurant and F&J Deli Grocery.
NorthPoint Development’s Mountain Valley Logistics Center is also expected to create new family-sustaining jobs in the area. Located just two miles from Mahanoy City, the center’s first tenant, Box Packaging Partners, has already created more than 60 jobs, with dozens more expected as their operations expand. Other tenants could also utilize this space in the future, creating even more jobs.
This grant was approved during a public meeting of the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF). The MTF, as created by the General Assembly, provides funding to encourage economic development and a safe, reliable system of transportation to residents of Pennsylvania.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger