Mullins, Donahue, Kosierowski applaud funding for community projects

Rep. Kyle Mullins    October 22, 2024 | 4:39 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Reps. Kyle Mullins, Kyle T. Donahue and Bridget M. Kosierowski today announced that more than $9.3 million in both statewide Local Share Account Program and Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program grants have been approved for projects throughout Lackawanna County.

“From improving our school facilities to ensuring our police officers have the proper equipment to keep our communities safe, these grant dollars will go a long way toward improving the quality of life and safety in our region," said Mullins.

“I’m proud to work along with my colleagues to secure this much-needed funding for projects throughout Lackawanna County.” said Donahue. “These funds will allow our first responders to upgrade equipment, our schools to make much-needed repairs, and modernize our sewer systems while also creating jobs in our region.”

“This is truly a reinvestment into those who live in Lackawanna County,” said Kosierowski. “These grants provide important funding to our local school districts, our local communities and our social service organizations. I am proud to have fought alongside my regional elected officials to bring this money into Lackawanna County.”

Grants being awarded include:

  • $1.05 million to the Valley View School District -- Valley View School District proposes to renew the roof systems on its connected high school and middle school buildings.

  • $1 million to the Scranton School District -- The project will replace and upgrade the fire alarm systems at both schools, including all ancillary components and associated emergency lighting systems. The new system will include smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors and a centralized reporting system will also be installed to integrate with both systems. PSFIG funds will be used for renovation and administrative costs.

  • $950,000 to the North Pocono School District -- North Pocono School District will replace failing membrane and metal roof systems at two of its schools.

  • $775,000 to the Abington Heights School District – The South Abington Elementary School needs efficient infrastructure, so the school district will upgrade/modernize the heating system, address plumbing concerns, and install energy-efficient lighting.

  • $733,677 to South Abington Township -- South Abington, in collaboration with Clarks Summit Borough and Abington Heights School District, will renovate three roads in an area identified as a top priority due to its proximity to schools and high traffic volume. The project area encompasses Noble Road, 825 linear feet of Gravel Pond Road, and 475 linear feet of Old Winola Road.

  • $618,816 to Scranton City -- Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton operates an emergency shelter, housing, and social services facility with parking lot deficits, aging facility fixtures, and exterior deterioration. The project will renovate this facility, including repaving the approximately 3,560 SF parking lot, rebuilding an exterior retaining wall, replacing the 3,500-square-foot roof, refurbishing exterior windows, replacing lighting fixtures, replacing the HVAC and gas fired air unit.

  • $500,000 to Covington Township -- This project includes purchasing a fire engine to replace the current one in use, which is 35 years old, far beyond the life span of an emergency vehicle.

  • $500,000 to Scranton City -- The Jewish Community Center of Scranton is seeking to build a new playground for its early learning center. The project calls for demolition of a vacant building adjacent to the community center, which will allow for expansion of both the playground and parking area. Following this demolition, the new playground for preschool students, as well as pickleball courts for adult community center members, will be constructed in its place.

  • $450,000 to the Lakeland School District -- The proposed project will install new ceilings and LED lighting to hide the fibrous acoustical insulation in both facilities. The current outdated ceilings leave various pipes and wires exposed.

  • $300,000 to the Mid-Valley School District -- The proposed project will replace the cast iron sanitary piping, install a new gravity sewer, and demolish the existing pump station.

  • $300,000 to Carbondale City -- Carbondale City will use the LSA funds to design and construct a new area for the Carbondale Police Department. New offices will be constructed along with interview, processing and holding areas. The area will receive new wiring, lighting, and plumbing.

  • $300,000 to the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Co. -- The proposed project is for infrastructure improvements such as lighting, roof repairs, ground drainage and gutter upgrades, an energy efficient rooftop air conditioner, and energy efficient air conditioners for the kitchen. The project also includes landscaping improvements, security system upgrades, and electric operators for interior doors and entrances.

  • $270,000 to Blakely Borough -- The Lackawanna County SWAT Team provides services for Blakely Borough and other surrounding communities. The proposed project will purchase a new Lenco Bearcat to replace the current, aging Bearcat.

  • $228,280 to Wayne County -- Camp Freedom provides outdoor adventures for our respected American Veterans and hero's. To navigate the diverse and rugged terrain on our 2,350 acres, the camp needs to invest in additional vehicles that are designed to tackle rough terrain. The project will consist of the purchase of three Kubota UTVs, two Mahindra Roxors, and a full-sized GMC Yukon XL SUV.

  • $200,000 to Jefferson Township Sewer Authority -- JTSA plans to purchase and install four sewage pumps to replace the current outdated pumps.

  • $200,000 to Moscow Sewer Authority -- This project will alleviate the existing public health hazard and pollution of Commonwealth waters created by sewage discharges from malfunctioning systems, it will also ensure that wells in the area are safe for drinking.

  • $170,366 to Dunmore Borough -- Dunmore Borough plans to construct four pickleball courts in an unutilized section of McHale Park. The project consists of constructing the new ball courts and adjacent parking area. The courts will have lighting and ample drainage.

  • $165,802 to Dickson City Borough -- This project intends to add additional lighting to the Borough's Riverfront Park. Additional lighting will allow for extended hours, a safer environment, and expanded community events.

  • $150,000 to Throop Borough -- This project will include the purchase of license plate readers, tasers, and two-way radios for the Throop Borough Police Department.

  • $115,000 to Jermyn Borough -- The proposed project is to fund the expenses related to relocation of certain utilities, signs, fences, and sheds. The project will also include the securing of temporary and permanent land easements.

  • $101,785 to Scranton City -- The exterior of a facility owned by Scranton City and occupied by the Deutsch Institute, a non-profit focused on providing recreational opportunities for individuals with special needs, at Robison Park has fallen into disrepair and is unfit for use.  The proposed project aims to repair the roof, replace the gutters, install new vinyl siding, and install new exterior doors.

  • $100,000 to the Spring Brook Township Sewer Authority -- This project will help keep sewer usage fees as low as possible for residents and will replace outdated pumps serving homes and businesses along Scranton Pocono Highway and Church Street.

  • $80,000 to Archbald Borough -- The proposed project will purchase new police department/law enforcement equipment including body cameras and tasers. The current equipment is lacking, past its useful life, and incompatible with updated technology.

  • $60,512 to Vandling Borough -- The purchase of the new equipment will enable the borough to better serve the residents as well as maintaining the borough streets, parks, playgrounds, and related borough properties. LSA funds will be used to purchase a new borough truck and plow.

The Statewide Local Share Account funding comes from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest in Pennsylvania.

The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program was created to provide grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. The program is administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Grants are available for eligible improvement projects with a total project cost of $500,000 or more and grants shall not exceed $5 million for any project.