HARRISBURG, PA — The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger this week announced the approval of 178 new projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The grants and loans, totaling $27,241,686, will fund a wide range of projects across the state.
The CFA, an independent agency established in 2004 under DCED, holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments aimed at stimulating Pennsylvania’s economic growth. The latest round of project approvals underscores the state’s commitment to supporting community development, environmental conservation, and economic growth.
One of the key beneficiaries of this funding is the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP), which received just over $18 million for 136 projects. The GTRP funds the planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks, and beautification projects. For instance, the Borough of Galeton was granted $250,000 for improvements to John J. Collins Memorial Park in Potter County.
The Flood Mitigation Program (FMP) also featured prominently, with $2,486,038 allocated for 11 projects. The program aims to assist with statewide flood mitigation projects, such as the Fisher Run Culvert Replacement Project in York County, which received $265,000 in funding.
Meanwhile, the Sewage Facilities Program (SFP), which aids statewide initiatives complying with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, approved four projects with total funding of $112,035. The Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Program (OAWP) approved one project worth $139,801 for well closure in Allegheny County.
The Watershed Restoration Protection Program (WRPP), which funds watershed restoration and protection projects, approved 15 projects with a total funding of $2,160,856. Whitehall Township, for instance, received $149,464 for the Coplay Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project in Lehigh County.
In addition to these environmental and community development initiatives, the First Industries Fund (FIF) approved ten projects totaling $3,769,875. The FIF aims to strengthen Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries through loan guarantees. Mill Hill Farms, LLC, was approved for a $400,000 loan for the acquisition of a 260-acre farm in Blair County.
The Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE), which provides grants for constructing natural gas distribution lines to business parks and existing industrial enterprises, approved one project worth $552,084. This grant will fund the installation of natural gas lines to the District at Lycoming Valley in Lycoming County, a redevelopment project aimed at transforming a depressed mall into a mixed-use shopping, hospitality, residential, and entertainment destination.
A full list of the following approvals is available on the CFA’s website.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.