STATE COLLEGE, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Scott Conklin today announced a grant of more than $93,000 to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau to support the bureau’s investment in the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Series. Conklin said the grant, secured through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Sports Marketing and Tourism Program, would help ensure Center County’s tourism bureau has the resources to continue its successful promotional efforts. “Sports tourism provides tremendous benefits for our region by attracting visitors to patronize our local shops, restaurants and hotels,” Conklin said. “The 2024 Ironman Triathlon this summer was no exception, drawing more than 1,500 athletes alone and injecting an estimated $4.7 million into the economy. The new funding will help ensure that our tourism bureau has the resources needed to continue successfully promoting these events into the years ahead.” The funding is part of a package of grants awarded for 11 major sporting events statewide. More about the Sports Marketing and Tourism Program is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/sports-marketing-and-tourism-program-smat/ . Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Nov. 13 – Two grants totaling $224,300 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will fund playground improvements for Ferguson Township and the installation of riparian buffers along part of the Susquehanna River Watershed in Centre County, Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the funding includes $124,600 to Ferguson Township for improvements to Autumnwood Park. “The new funding will allow the township to rehab the playground by adding new play equipment, safety surfacing, ADA accessibility and related improvements,” Conklin said. “It’s a great enhancement for a well-loved community gathering place.” Conklin said a second grant of $99,700 to ClearWater Conservancy of Central PA would fund installation of riparian forest buffers. “Riparian buffers planted along our waterways help protect water quality by filtering out pesticides and sediment from runoff,” Conklin said. “They also help prevent erosion and benefit wildlife and delicate ecosystems. Thanks to the new funding, ClearWater Conservancy will be able to install six acres of riparian forest buffers to help protect and preserve our precious Susquehanna River Watershed.” The funding comes from the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which supports projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats. Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Nov. 1 – New grant funding of $3.5 million from the Redevelopment Capitol Assistance Program will support work on new administrative offices for Central Intermediate Unit 10, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the grant would fund major renovation work at the 1.8-acre site of the former Philipsburg-Osceola Junior High School. “We were glad to see CIU 10 secure the Sixth Street site, which provides a perfect, centralized location for administrative offices that will serve the unit’s three-county region,” Conklin said. “The former school’s gymnasium remains on the property, and work will focus on razing or renovating the building to create new administrative offices and training space. “Thanks to the new funding, that work – and related installation of new sidewalks, curbing and green space – will move forward. It’s going to be exciting seeing the project take shape.” The RACP funds design, acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects that have a regional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 1 - State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin, today announced that he secured $3,500,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants for projects in the 105th Legislative District he serves. “I’m proud to have secured $3.5 million in RACP grants that will enhance community life in our district. Funds will be used to build out a central green in Susquehanna Township and to construct a community room accessible to various group and also used for public health education,” Fleming said. “These state grants will help improve connections in our community, offering opportunities for education and recreation for all.” The projects funded in the district are: $3,000,000 to Capital Blue Cross for renovations to the facility on Elmerton Avenue, including the construction of a multi-purpose community meeting room that would be used for public health activities and would be accessible for community groups, and the renovated cafeteria area. $500,000 to Hawthorne SPE LLC for the build-out of the central green at Susquehanna Union Green including site development, landscaping and construction of a 2,850 square foot pavilion and a utility/storage kiosk. Funds would also be used to purchase materials and equipment for an outdoor ice rink. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a Pennsylvania grant program for the design, acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, Read more