Legislators announce $4M in grants

The largest is $1M for streetlight replacement in Pottstown

A round of $4.4 million in state grants was announced Thursday that will aid playgrounds, roads, bridges, streetlights and even a study of the feasibility of returning passenger rail to the region.

The single largest grant is for $1 million to the Pottstown Borough to continue its efforts to replace old, outdated street lights with energy-efficient LED street lights and install crime-prevention cameras downtown.

Funding for Pottstown’s LED streetlight conversion project is in addition to the $250,000 in funding announced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist. made earlier in March.

“This funding will improve our area through investments in projects to reduce traffic, make our streets safer, and increase access to residential, business and recreational areas,” Ciresi said.

146h District.

The other funding announced by Ciresi’s office is as follows:

• $250,000 toward reconstructing and aligning Lightcap Road in Limerick Township to support the increase in traffic caused by development in the area.

• $200,000 for the restoration of First Avenue from Arch Street to the trailhead parking area in Royersford Borough to improve access to residences, businesses, and amenities; support the broader Royersford business climate; and ensure a safe and well-maintained connection to the Schuylkill River Trail and other connected trails.

• $250,000 to the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority for an operational feasibility study to assess the capacity of the proposed line to accommodate passenger and freight traffic, an important next step in the process to restore passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia.

“I’m very excited that the CFA grant will enable us to move one step closer to restoring passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia,” Ciresi said. “This project would transform the re

gion by reducing traffic congestion, promoting economic development and community revitalization, protecting the environment, and improving residents’ quality of life.”

147th District

The transportation-related grants were issued by the Multimodal Transportation Fund and the Statewide Local Share Account Program. The others are through the Commonwealth Finance Authority; as were another set of grants announced jointly by State Rep. Donna Scheuren, R-147th Dist. and state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-24th Dist.

• Douglass Township (Mont.) received more than $56,000 for the purchase of a tractor with several attachments, including a loader, backhoe, box blade, rotary cutter, post hole digger, root grapple, and a stump grinder. This is to be used at the township’s parks and open spaces, including Douglass Park.

• Upper Frederick Township has received $100,000 for the restoration and upgrade of the Historic Upper Frederick Township Church School. The proposed project will restore and renovate the building for community use and make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act with an emphasis on the restoration of the historic integrity of the building.

• Upper Frederick Township also received over $67,000 for playground upgrades at the community park. The project will replace old and outdated playground equipment and feature new structures for children ages 2 to 5 and ages 6 to 12.

“These grants are not one-time investments of specific projects; they lay the foundation to maintaining and developing our community for years to come,” Scheuren said. “Congratulations to each award recipient and the various projects they will soon undertake. I look forward to seeing these funds come to life. These investments ensure that this district will continue to thrive and be a great place to live and raise a family.”

“It’s important to secure funding for critical local projects that improve our communities,” Pennycuick said. “These grants will help preserve local history, promote outdoor recreation and maintain our parks. The funding will ensure this work gets done while easing the burden on local taxpayers.”

150th District

In the district represented by Joe Webster, D150th Dist., Commonwealth Finance Authority grants were announced for Trappe and Collegeville boroughs, as well as Upper Providence Township.

• $182,620 for the stormwater drainage project at the playground behind the Trappe Borough Hall;

• $106,200 to bolster pedestrian and bicyclist safety along Route 29 and Arcola Road in Upper Providence Township;

• $74,000 toward a comprehensive plan to spur new business development in Collegeville Borough.

“Proactive, strategic investments that strengthen Montgomery County’s infrastructure is a good government initiative that appeals to everyone,” Webster said. “It is vital we continue exploring every available avenue that promulgates this underlying objective.”

70th District

Upstream on Perkiomen Creek, state Rep. Matthew Bradford, D-70th Dist., who is also the House Majority Leader, announced five grants, also from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, to aid Schwenksville Borough and Perkiomen and Worcester townships.

• Schwenksville Borough: The borough was awarded $755,180 toward a project to reconstruct Summit Avenue, from Woodland Avenue to Hillcrest Avenue, to allow for safer travel, which would include repaving the roadway, constructing sidewalks, and revamping of stormwater controls.

• The Schwenksville Borough Authority was awarded $150,111 to replace approximately 230 feet of 4-inch diameter water main along Game Farm Road with an eight-inch water main. The existing water main limits the ability of the authority to convey peak flows for fire protection from its two storage tanks to the main distribution mains of the authority. The new main will better meet the fire protection demands and provide redundancy to water customers of the authority.

• Perkiomen Township was awarded $211,494 to make improvements to its sanitary sewer system to correct current environmental hazards and prevent further damage, including replacing basket wall, lining the sanitary sewer main, and repairing the concrete encasement at the creek crossing.

• The township’s municipal authority was awarded $101,530 to purchase equipment to perform inspection work for its sewer collection service, which will help locate issues that could lead to collapse and/or help the authority prioritize areas of the system for repair.

• Worcester Township was awarded $125,000 to purchase a dump truck with accessories, which will be utilized for a year-round, curbside collection program for yard waste.

“Our communities are tackling projects every day that are important to maintaining and improving our local infrastructure, from addressing aging sewer pipes and stormwater controls, to protecting and improving roadways and sidewalks,” Bradford said. “I’m so pleased that these significant investments will help our municipalities complete these infrastructure projects.”

167th District

In the district represented by state Rep. Kristine Howard, D-167th Dist., grants from the Multimodal Transportation Fund will aid projects ranging from rehabilitating water pump stations to road widening were announced.

They are:

• $250,000 to West Vincent Township to construct passive recreation areas at Opalanie Park.

• $177,417 to Charlestown Township to relocate and install new crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and sidewalks at the intersection of PA 29 with Yellow Springs Road and Warner Lane.

• $177,975 to West Pikeland Township to purchase a 2023 Ford F-600 Series truck outfitted with a dump body and a plow.

• $86,960 to West Pikeland Township to demolish a house and construct a pavilion at Pine Creek Park.

•$54,005 to West Pikeland Township to purchase a new 2022 Ford Expedition for the township’s police department.

“I am beyond grateful that these grants have been awarded,” Howard said. “The state dollars going toward these projects shows that Pennsylvania is committed to improving all four corners of the commonwealth.”