WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Dave McCormick said he has secured more than $270 million in federal funding for projects across Pennsylvania, channeling money into public safety, infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development, and environmental restoration efforts statewide.
McCormick said the funding, awarded through the federal appropriations process, will support dozens of projects submitted by local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other eligible public entities under U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee guidelines for fiscal year 2026.
“This funding delivers real results for Pennsylvanians,” McCormick said. “It helps communities advance important projects and ensures taxpayer dollars are put to work where they are needed most. This money would have been spent by those in Washington, D.C. regardless. My goal is to steer these tax dollars home to worthy projects rather than leave these decisions to unelected bureaucrats.”
The awards span nearly every region of the Commonwealth, with major investments directed toward water and wastewater upgrades, transportation infrastructure, emergency services, workforce training, higher education, and economic development. The single largest allocation, more than $183 million, will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve lock conditions and capacity along the Ohio River in Allegheny and Beaver counties.
Other significant funding includes airport expansions and rehabilitation projects in Lancaster, DuBois, and Cambria counties; new and upgraded police, fire, and emergency medical facilities in rural and urban communities; and investments in colleges and universities to support healthcare training, chemistry and robotics labs, cybersecurity education, and advanced research in biomedical science and quantum technology.
Several projects target environmental protection and resilience, including stormwater and wastewater system upgrades, Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration efforts, and flood mitigation projects in Dauphin, York, and Lehigh counties.
Local and regional leaders praised the funding as transformative for their communities.
Sara Innamorato, Allegheny County executive, said the investments in public safety training and blight removal would strengthen communities and support economic growth. James D. Moate, a Cameron County commissioner, called the funding “a step in the right direction” for rural counties seeking to modernize aging public facilities.
Healthcare and education leaders also highlighted the long-term impact of the awards. Kathleen A. Getz, president of Mercyhurst University, said the funding would help address workforce shortages by strengthening nursing and physician assistant education. Gannon University President Walter Iwanenko said new biomedical laboratory investments would support job creation in Erie while expanding academic programs tied to regional healthcare needs.
Several projects focus on emerging industries, including support for artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced manufacturing supply chains. Petra Bracko Mitchell, president and CEO of Catalyst Connection, said investments tied to AI data centers could drive significant job growth and long-term economic benefits for southwestern Pennsylvania.
Emergency response agencies emphasized the role the funding will play in improving safety in rural areas. Officials from Meadville Fire Department, Moshannon Valley EMS, and regional emergency communications agencies said the grants will help modernize equipment, expand training, and close critical coverage gaps, particularly in remote communities.
McCormick said the breadth of projects reflects the diverse needs of Pennsylvania communities and the importance of directing federal resources back to the state.
“These projects are about safety, opportunity, and quality of life,” he said. “They are about making sure Pennsylvania communities have the tools they need to move forward.”
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