October 22, 2024 − Sen. Nick Miller (D-Lehigh/Northampton) today announced $8,618,785 in state funding for projects across the Lehigh Valley to improve infrastructure, public safety and community enjoyment.
Miller said, “The variety of these grants, whether it is investing in new police vehicles and equipment, updating a wastewater treatment plant or developing a multipurpose field house, show a continued commitment to public safety and economic development. Advocating for our cities and municipalities for necessary updates will continue the progress we have become accustomed to seeing in the Lehigh Valley.”
“Since serving on the Allentown School Board, I have advocated for the need to develop Andre Reed Park into an athletic field for Dieruff students to utilize daily. I look forward to working with the city of Allentown and the Allentown School District to make this a space that benefits students and residents on the East Side,” added Miller. “The updates to the Baum School of Arts will give more students and adults access to art, design and fashion, offering cultural enrichment.”
Miller said, “I have visited so many of these project spaces and have seen the promise they have, but we must invest to see progress. I stopped by Bushkill Township Park recently and could see areas that have fallen into disrepair. This funding will go toward replacing the tennis courts, installing security cameras and updating the parking lot. These types of projects go a long way to giving our communities safe and fun places to visit.”
Thirty-one projects will be awarded, and the funding comes via the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Commonwealth Financing Authority Local Share Account. The grants come via gaming funds and are listed below.
- Allentown city, on behalf of the Allentown School District, is receiving $74,570 for the creation of a Master Site Plan to guide future development of two parcels of land at Andre Reed Park and Dieruff Practice Field in Allentown.
- Allentown city, on behalf of the Resurrected Life Community Development Corporation is receiving $250,000 to renovate the interior and exterior of the Children’s Academy building located in Allentown.
- Allentown city, on behalf of The Baum School of Arts, is receiving $1 million to renovate the Baum School of Arts facility located in Allentown.
- Salisbury Township is receiving $250,000 to construct a new salt shed and storage facility located in Salisbury Township.
- Allentown Economic Development Corporation is receiving $42,300 to continue their community improvement efforts.
- Lehigh County is receiving $68,000 to purchase new cameras for their coroner’s office located in South Whitehall Township.
- Allentown city, on behalf of The Allentown Police Athletic League, is receiving $400,000 to renovate The Youth Education Center.
- Allentown city is receiving $150,000 to purchase a fully upfitted heavy duty lift truck for use in the city.
- Lehigh County is receiving $290,662 for an Emergency Operations Center technology upgrade project located in Allentown.
- Catasauqua Borough is receiving $217,802 to purchase a street sweeper.
- Coplay Borough is receiving $300,000 for the purchase of a street sweeper truck.
- Fountain Hill Borough is receiving $71,198 for the purchase of a police vehicle.
- Hanover Township is receiving $336,059 for the Sherwood Park Improvement Project.
- Whitehall Township is receiving $75,000 for the purchase of a utility tractor and mowing attachments.
- Hanover Township is receiving $570,467 to construct a multipurpose field house at First Responders Park.
- Bushkill Township is receiving $500,000 for improvements to the township park.
- Bushkill Township, on behalf of Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company, is receiving $750,000 to purchase a heavy rescue truck.
- Bushkill Township is receiving $75,760 for the purchase and retrofitting of a police crime scene and command vehicle.
- Moore Township is receiving $69,775 for the purchase of a new crack sealer.
- Moore Township is receiving $65,000 to purchase two new police vehicles.
- Moore Township is receiving $25,000 for the purchase of a new asphalt roller.
- Moore Township is receiving $50,000 for the purchase of an upfitted work truck.
- Moore Township is receiving $30,348 for the purchase of a speed alert trailer and three radar speed signs for use.
- Allen Township is receiving $1 million to support the renovation of a new township administration facility.
- Bath Borough is receiving $247,271 to purchase a new dump truck for use.
- Bath Borough Authority is receiving $450,000 to construct a new well and well house.
- Lehigh Township Municipal Authority is receiving $702,000 for a wastewater treatment plant upgrade and expansion project.
- North Catasauqua Borough is receiving $107,573 to purchase a municipal police vehicle with upfitting.
- Walnutport Borough is receiving $150,000 for the purchase of a tractor with a boom mower attachment.
- Walnutport Borough is receiving $150,000 for the purchase of emergency service radios for use by its police and fire departments.
- Walnutport Borough, on behalf of Diamond Fire Company, is receiving $150,000 for the purchase of a multi-purpose utility vehicle.
“This funding is crucial to boosting both community and economic development,” added Miller. “As the fastest growing region in the commonwealth, the Lehigh Valley needs to provide residents with the resources they need.”
Media contact: Kelly Leighton, Kelly.Leighton@PASenate.com, (570) 814-4107.
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