HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and Rep. Rob Kaufman (R-89) today announced nearly $2 million in state grants have been awarded for water infrastructure, arts and culture projects in Franklin County.
“These water infrastructure grants ensure residents have access to clean drinking water and their wastewater from showers, toilets and dishwashers can properly be carried away and treated,” Mastriano said. “The creation and maintenance of infrastructure to provide clean water to homes and businesses and carry wastewater away from them is one of the core functions of local governments.”
“The $1 million grant for Guilford Township is part of a larger project to expand Guilford Authority sewer service in the Marion community to hundreds of homes, two schools, commercial businesses and The Marion Volunteer Fire Department,” Kauffman said. “The project will eliminate on-lot systems in an area prone to failing septic systems, as well as provide for the planned growth of the community.”
Two grants are being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that is disbursed through the H20 PA Program:
- Guilford Township Authority will receive $1 million to assist with a new sewer system in the township.
- Chambersburg Borough will receive nearly $580,000 for a water main extension project in Greene Township.
One grant is being funded with money from the federal COVID-19 ARPA funds administered through the PA Small Water and Sewer (SWS) Program:
- Guilford Water Authority will receive more than $340,000 for the Scotland Road watermain replacement project in Greene Township.
Two grants are being funded with federal COVID-19 ARPA money that is being distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery (PARC) Program:
- Capitol Theatre Centre Foundation will receive nearly $17,000 to cover operating costs for the Performing Arts Organization in Chambersburg Borough.
- Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny will receive $10,000 to cover operating costs.
“Many local arts and culture organizations were drastically affected by the forced government shutdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mastriano said. “The arts and culture grants are intended to ensure local residents continue to have access to these important community resources.”
“I advocated for each of these grants, which will enrich the communities we represent in Franklin County,” said Kauffman. “Whether supporting the arts community or ensuring residents have sufficient access to water and sewer services, this funding is vital to the growth of our region.”
The grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA was created in 2004 as an independent agency of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to administer the commonwealth’s economic stimulus packages.
Established by the General Assembly in 2008, the H2O PA Program provides for single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects; and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams.
The SWS Program provides grants for small water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure projects. Municipalities and municipal authorities that own and maintain a public water supply, sanitary sewer or storm water systems are eligible to apply as long as their projects exceed a total cost of $30,000.
PACR was created to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts, and arts and culture professionals located in Pennsylvania to ensure the stability and recovery of the commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media contact: Josh Herman
717-787-4651
JHerman@PaSen.Gov