HARRISBURG – Almost $1.7 million was awarded to community development projects in southern Luzerne County today through the Luzerne County Local Share Account, according to Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Rep. Dane Watro (R-116), and Rep. Mike Cabell (R-117).
“These highly competitive grants will directly improve the quality of life for residents of the greater Hazleton area,” said Argall. “I’m thankful for my excellent partnership with Reps. Watro and Cabell in turning these requests into realities.”
“An important part of our job is to bring state funding back home, and I am pleased Sen. Argall, Rep. Cabell and I were able to do just that once again,” said Watro. “We worked with local officials to identify worthy projects and purchases, and then joined forces in advocating for these grants to benefit our local communities.”
“Some of this funding will go toward projects with far-reaching benefits, such as much-needed improvement work at the Freeland Borough building, where Sen. Argall and I met with council members last fall and heard about their vision to turn the building into a community gathering spot.,” said Cabell. “I was also pleased to advocate for money for continued improvements at the White Haven Area Community Library and Camp Kresge, two venues I’ve become quite familiar with during my time in office. Finally, Sen. Argall and I were able to help Penn Lake Park Borough as they take on a dam rehabilitation project.”
The following communities received funding:
- Dennison Township – $22,103 for improvements to Red Shale Pit Road and Peat Moss Road.
- Freeland Borough – $100,000 for renovations to the borough building.
- Hazle Township – $230,445 for the construction of a pole building for the Hazle Township Little League.
- Hazle Township – $235,000 for the purchase of a wheel loader.
- Hazleton City – $302,854 for the demolition of the abandoned and blighted former Matuella’s Dairy building located at 625 W 6th Street.
- Hazleton City – $231,243 for the purchase of three vehicles with compartments for rescue equipment for the Hazleton City Fire Department.
- Hazleton City – $102,249 for the renovations at the Hazleton Active Adult Center.
- Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority – $257,133 for the construction of a new dining lodge at Camp Kresge.
- Penn Lake Park Borough – $100,000 for the rehabilitation of the Penn Lake Dam.
- White Haven Borough – $100,000 for further improvements at its multi-purpose library and heritage visitors center.
Local Share Account funding is generated by casino gambling and redistributed to improve communities in the surrounding area. Funding is awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency created by the General Assembly to administer investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.
CONTACT: Jim Brugger (Argall)
Andy Briggs (Watro, Cabell)