Rep. Russ Diamond and Sen. Chris Gebhard have announced state grants totaling $1,705,634 for three municipalities in Lebanon County to improve water systems, public safety, and infrastructure.
“Public utility infrastructure is very costly, but through gaming funds supplied to the Commonwealth Financing Authority, these projects can be completed without further burdening the taxpayer,” said Diamond. He noted that these funds are linked to his 2017 legislative effort to secure a portion of local share assessments from Hollywood Casino proceeds specifically for Lebanon County and the statewide LSA fund.
“This funding will greatly benefit our communities by minimizing the costs associated with important updates that will help to reliably provide safe drinking water, minimize loss of life and damage to property associated with fires and maintain necessary infrastructure,” Gebhard stated. “Nearly $2 million of costs will not be passed along to our communities – this is really great news.”
The grant distribution includes:
– Richland Borough has received $712,634 in LSA funds for upgrading its public water supply system. The project involves establishing Well No. 9 as a redundant source of water supply and installing a submersible pump in an already drilled 8-inch well. A new pipeline will also be installed parallel to the existing transmission main.
– Bethel Township has been awarded $600,000 on behalf of Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Company and Mt. Zion Community Fire Company for purchasing two fire apparatuses. These fire departments aim to replace their outdated rescue engine and engine pumper.
– Northern Lebanon County Authority (NLCA) has secured $693,000 in LSA funds for updating Jonestown Borough’s sanitary sewer system. The project includes installing full-length Cured-In-Place-Pipe lining without digging or disrupting current structures.
Funding comes from the Commonwealth Financing Authority Local Share Account program using gaming revenue for public interest projects across Pennsylvania.
