Southwest Allegheny News

Dec 19, 2023

HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) has announced that over $5.6 million in grants have been awarded to various projects in the 44th Legislative District through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). These grants aim to support water and sewer infrastructure improvements as well as the arts and culture sector in the region.

Working alongside Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny), Gaydos played a key role in securing this funding. She expressed her satisfaction with the investments made, stating, "These grants represent valuable investments in ensuring proper water supply and sanitary sewer systems, as well as to cultivate a sense of cultural identity." She also emphasized the importance of tax dollars returning to the community to support these essential projects.

The grants have been provided through two different programs. The first set of funding comes from the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, specifically the H2O PA – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program. This program was established under Act 54 of 2022 and received an appropriation of $205.4 million from the General Assembly. It aims to assist with the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater projects.

In the 44th District, the following projects have been awarded grants under this program:

- North Fayette Township will receive $1.2 million for the upsizing of a sewer conveyance line.

- Sewickley Borough has been granted $875,000 to resolve the consent order at the wastewater treatment plant.

- Sewickley Borough will also receive $875,000 for renovations to its water treatment plant and system.

- Moon Township has been allocated $1 million for the implementation of a pollutant reduction plan within Olsen Park.

- Findlay Township will receive $462,440 to install a waterline extension.

The second set of funding comes from the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program, also funded by the COVID-19 ARPA funds. Similarly established under Act 54 of 2022, this program received an appropriation of $105.6 million from the General Assembly. It aims to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, rehabilitation, or repair of water supply system, sanitary sewer system, and stormwater system projects.

In the 44th District, the following projects have been awarded grants under this program:

- Leet Township will receive $131,325 for a sewer system rehabilitation project.

- Aleppo Township has been granted $478,550 for improvements to the Deer Run Sewage Pump Station.

- Bell Acres Borough will receive $300,000 for the Hawthorn Acres Recreation Park sewer extension.

- Edgeworth Borough will receive $192,516 for a water line replacement project in Leet Township.

Lastly, the Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery Program (PACR) has been created using COVID-19 ARPA funds. This program aims to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts, and arts and culture professionals across the Commonwealth. Its purpose is to ensure the stability and recovery of the arts and culture sector from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 44th District, the following projects have been awarded grants under this program:

- Sewickley Borough will receive $23,281 for operating expenses for the Sweetwater Center for the Arts.

- Sewickley Borough will also receive $30,308 for operating expenses for the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center.

These grants will not only support essential infrastructure improvements but also contribute to the cultural enrichment of the 44th District. Rep. Valerie Gaydos expressed her dedication to supporting the municipalities in future grant applications, stating, "I will continue to work hard to support the municipalities in our district in their efforts to obtain future grants."

For more information, please contact Rick Leiner at 717.260.6437 or rleiner@pahousegop.com. Additional updates can be found on RepGaydos.com and Facebook.com/RepGaydos.

Representative Valerie Gaydos represents the 44th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

To learn more, click on this link: https://repgaydos.com/News/33319/Press-Releases/Gaydos-Announces-Millions-for-Water,-Sewer,-Art-Projects-in-the-44th-District-