Southwest Allegheny News

Rep. Andrew Kuzma has announced the acquisition of over $2.7 million in grants for projects in Pennsylvania's 39th Legislative District. The funds include Local Share Account (LSA) grants and a Public School Facility Improvement Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). These grants are intended to support public interest projects within Pennsylvania, as outlined by Act 71 of 2004.

The Public School Facility Improvement Grant will provide funding to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. Rep. Kuzma highlighted the importance of these initiatives, particularly for the Elizabeth Forward School District, which is set to receive $1.6 million to replace its HVAC system and boilers damaged by a fire in 2023.

"All of these projects are key to the vitality of the Mon Valley, but I am especially pleased to assist the Elizabeth Forward School District rebuild its high school after a devastating 2023 fire," Kuzma stated. "The building is almost 70 years old and already needed work before flames destroyed the auditorium and severely damaged other parts of the building."

Additional LSA funding has been allocated to various municipalities:

- Elizabeth Township will receive $750,000 for municipal complex updates and $139,000 for renovations at Buena Vista Fire Hall.

- West Elizabeth Borough will get $220,000 for demolishing blighted homes.

Senators Camera Bartolotta, Jim Brewster, and Devlin Robinson also secured LSA funding for several district projects:

- Elizabeth Borough will obtain $100,000 for sidewalk reconstruction.

- Elizabeth Township is set to receive another $100,000 for municipal garage upgrades.

- Jefferson Hills Borough will be granted $119,400 for park maintenance and safety improvements.

- Union Township will gain $133,769 to replace Snee Bridge over Peters Creek.

These developments affect areas within Allegheny County including Elizabeth Township, Forward Township, South Park Township; boroughs such as Elizabeth Borough; Jefferson Hills; Pleasant Hills; West Elizabeth; as well as regions within Washington County like Union Township.