Haddock works to secure $5 million in state grants
Rep. Jim Haddock October 22, 2024 | 2:44 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – Building on his efforts to help the school districts and municipalities he represents at the state level, Rep. Jim Haddock is pleased to announce $5 million in grants were awarded today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for various improvement projects throughout his district in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
“It is always a good day when the CFA approves the allocation of funding back to our area because these dollars go a long way toward helping school districts and municipalities with already stretched thin budgets. I was pleased to advocate for these grants along with my colleague Sen. Marty Flynn and I would like to thank the CFA and my leadership team for recognizing their importance,” said Haddock, D-Luzerne/Lackawanna.
“Today’s announcement brings the total to more than $25 million in state grants that I have brought home for communities, organizations, schools, fire/EMS/police and infrastructure projects in the last two years.”
Pittston Area School District will receive $969,875 in Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program funds toward a $1.54 million project for safety upgrades at the Mattei Complex Intermediate Center and Middle School facilities located in Pittston Township. The carpeting at the complex is 25 years old. It is torn, threadbare, and a safety and health hazard. This project will replace the carpet with modern, high-quality materials that will improve fire resistance, be free of harmful allergens and reduce trip hazards.
Riverside School District will use its $496,250 PSFIG grant for a $790,000 HVAC replacement project at Riverside Elementary West in Taylor Borough. The project will address the outdated and inefficient HVAC system by replacing 22 vertical unit ventilators, five mini split units, ductwork, insulation and refrigerant. The current system is over 20 years old and showing a significant increase in mechanical failures and reuses refrigerant currently phased out due to ozone depleting properties. Upgrading the system will improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and ensure a healthy learning environment.
Wyoming Area School District was awarded $250,000 toward a $1.9 million project for safety upgrades to include window and door replacement at the Secondary Center facility. The windows and doors at the Secondary Center building present a concern due to rust, energy inefficiency, and an inability to be closed and locked properly. Many of these windows and doors are original to the facility, which was constructed in 1975.
The PSFIG Program was created to provide grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. It is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development under the direction of the CFA.
Haddock said the CFA approved Statewide Local Share Account funding for projects across Pennsylvania. The funds are from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the CFA to support projects in the public interest.
LSA grants awarded in Haddock’s district include the following:
Avoca Borough -- $302,000 to repair and replace an existing wall along Bennett Street which has partially collapsed. Additionally, a drainage system will be installed to collect stormwater runoff from Bennett Street and convey it to the existing drainage system on School Street.
Avoca Borough -- $27,158 for the police to purchase six speed display units to be installed on various streets within the borough and a camera to be used on Main Street near the municipal building.
Glenburn Township -- $117,577 to purchase a new heavy-duty pickup truck with a plow package to be used for maintenance of streets and for snow removal in the winter.
Hughestown Borough -- $480,000 on behalf of Hughestown Fire Co., to be used toward the purchase of a new water tank pumper. The fire department is in dire need for equipment to assist with day-to-day operations. The borough has older vehicles which are requiring extensive repairs and maintenance. The costs are adversely affecting the borough and the small budget they have for equipment repairs.
Jenkins Township -- $170,315 to purchase a backhoe loader and zero-turn lawn mower to assist with maintenance responsibilities.
La Plume Township -- $79,165 on behalf of Keystone College, for the Brook's Theater improvement project to upgrade electrical service and purchase and install light and sound equipment.
Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority -- $68,289 to purchase a robotic lawn mower to maintain a right of way along a short line railroad which consists of 55 miles of track that services the rail needs of businesses in the Grimes Industrial Park, the Hanover Industrial Park and other users located along its tracks in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority -- $248,814 to complete the replacement of a deteriorated railroad crossing on the Wilkes-Barre secondary line that intersects with State Route 2004 (River Road) in Jenkins Township. The project will replace the existing concrete crossing with a new concrete tub crossing and will enhance safety for motorists and cyclists using River Road.
Moosic Borough -- $76,396 to purchase 20 radios for the police department. The department’s current radios only work on an analog system and there is no system in place for the officers to effectively communicate with the neighboring jurisdictions. The new radios will allow the police department to have the interoperability to communicate effectively by being able to monitor important information from the neighboring jurisdictions and be able to directly communicate with units in neighboring jurisdictions.
Moosic Borough -- $100,000 toward the purchase of a new garbage truck to replace the borough’s current one that is over 17 years old and has high maintenance costs.
Old Forge Borough -- $300,933 to provide site excavation, purchase and installation of panel board and light poles/bases around the Marion Street Park and parking lot, with plans to install an up-to-date security system. The completed lighting project will aid the community and park users by providing lighting to an approximately 16-acre parcel of land that is adjacent to the Old Forge School District, where many students walk through and utilize for extracurricular activities and community activities.
Pittston City -- $200,000 on behalf of Lincoln Heights Corp., to be used toward replacing deteriorated, single-pane windows with new energy-efficient windows at the Lincoln Heights Senior Housing Facility. Deteriorated asphalt sidewalks along the building's frontage will also be replaced.
Pittston City Redevelopment Authority -- $500,000 to construct an office building to house the Redevelopment Authority and Housing Authority in Pittston. In 2021, the RDA and HA began the process of consolidating staff and services, however, the two authorities have separate office locations. To improve functionality, efficiency, and public access, the project will construct modern offices for the co-location of both authorities. The main offices on the second floor will include four offices, a boardroom, reception area, a "bullpen area" for cubicles, restrooms, kitchen and related items. Additional office space will be constructed at the rear of the first floor for future growth or related entities and a file storage will be constructed in the basement.
Pittston Township -- $342,890 on behalf of the Pittston Township Ambulance Association, to purchase an ambulance to better serve the community. The association cannot afford to purchase a new ambulance because most of its budget is spent on operational costs and staffing.
West Abington Township -- $250,000 on behalf of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, to be used toward repairs and renovations at the Holy Transfiguration Retreat Center. The funds will be used to install new restrooms in the gymnasium area to replace the current single unit restroom. Funds will also be used to replace the gymnasium roof, which is leaking and floors, which are substandard. The final piece of work is for asbestos remediation for multiple areas at the center where it has been found.
West Pittston Borough -- $100,000 toward the cost of the preliminary engineering for the design of a flood control levee along 1.6 miles of the Susquehanna River to protect up to historic flood levels plus 3 feet, including associated stormwater piping, pump stations and utility relocations. The project includes nature-based alternatives including constructed wetlands, tree planting and an extension of a major regional trail. The engineering would lay the groundwork for the future construction project.