Burns: Local projects receiving extra $354,511 in state funding

HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 -- State Rep. Frank Burns today announced $354,511 in additional state funding is going to three projects in the 72nd Legislative District that were awarded funding late last year.

Jackson East Taylor Sewer Authority, Nanty Glo Water Authority and Ebensburg Municipal Authority all will receive extra state funding for their projects.

"These three entities originally shared $1.6 million in state funding for their needed improvement projects, but because other awarded projects in the state could not move forward for one reason or another, our district is reaping the rewards," said Burns, D-Cambria.

Jackson East Taylor Sewer Authority will get an extra $103,442 for its pump station generator replacement project. Nanty Glo will receive an additional $63,819 for its Edwards Street waterline replacement, and Ebensburg is due to receive another $187,250 for its Ogden Tank improvements.

"I've said it before, if area municipalities and organizations don't apply for available state grants -- and I don't advocate for these projects -- the money will go somewhere else. Now, residents in Jackson, East Taylor, Nanty Glo and Ebensburg are seeing even more money coming to them for their projects because those in other parts of the state had qualification issues or fell through.

 "And, since this money was provided by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan, if not used by the end of the year, it would have had to be returned to the feds. I didn't want to see that happen."

The grants are from the Small Water and Sewer Program, which is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and provides for small water, sewer, and storm system water infrastructure projects.