Luzerne Times

State grants totaling $1.69 million have been awarded to local projects in Susquehanna County, thanks to the efforts of Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Jonathan Fritz. The grants will be used to improve infrastructure systems, protect public health, upgrade water quality, and support future construction in the area.

"These grants will greatly assist moving forward on these priority projects," said Sen. Lisa Baker. "Three communities will realize needed improvements to their systems to protect public health, upgrade local water quality and ensure their ability to handle new construction of homes and businesses when opportunities arise."

Rep. Jonathan Fritz also expressed his satisfaction with the allocation of grant funds, stating, "I'm pleased to hear that these grant dollars are coming to our area. This funding is essential for the sanitation infrastructure upgrades, protection, and well-being of our communities."

The grants were provided through the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Water Projects Program (H2O). This program offers both single-year and multi-year grants for various infrastructure projects, including drinking water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, flood control, and dam repair or rehabilitation.

One of the funded projects will benefit the community of Brackney and Silverlake Township. The Silver Lake Township Municipal Authority chairman, Paul Adams, expressed his gratitude for the grant, stating, "Our systems are over 50 years old and need some updating. This grant will allow us to get moving on some of those initiatives. I wanted to thank Rep. Fritz and Sen. Baker for their support in securing this grant for the people in our community. I also wanted to thank my fellow board members."

The Montrose Municipal Authority will receive $608,000 in grant funds to install three pump stations and associated force mains in Hanover Township. Ted Cady, the manager of the Montrose Municipal Authority, expressed excitement about the grant, saying, "The Montrose municipal sewer board is excited about this grant, which will help equalize the flow to the sewer plant during heavy rain events. We are most appreciative of our state's representatives in the Senate and House for their support."

These grants will not only improve infrastructure systems but also contribute to the overall well-being and development of the communities in Susquehanna County. The funding will ensure that the area can handle future growth and provide essential services to its residents.

The COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA program continues to support infrastructure projects across the state, enabling communities to address their specific needs and improve their overall infrastructure. The grants awarded to Susquehanna County are a testament to the dedication and hard work of local officials and community leaders who advocated for these projects.

The successful allocation of these grants highlights the importance of collaboration between local and state representatives to secure funding for crucial infrastructure projects. Sen. Baker and Rep. Fritz have played a vital role in advocating for their communities and ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated to support local development.

With the completion of these projects, the communities in Susquehanna County will have upgraded infrastructure systems that can meet the needs of their residents and support future growth. The investments made through these grants will have a lasting impact on the area's public health, water quality, and overall well-being.

For further information, please contact:

- Jennifer Wilson (Baker)

- Joseph Szymanski (Fritz)

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.senatorbaker.com/2023/12/19/baker-fritz-announce-nearly-1-7-million-in-infrastructure-grants-in-susquehanna-county/