On Monday, Tamaqua Area Community Partnership Inc. was awarded $2 million for construction of Tamaqua’s new police station and community center through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), announced Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill), who played a key role in securing the state funding.
“We are grateful the governor agrees with us – that this project is more than deserving of state funding,” said Knowles. “As a former police officer and mayor, I have always been a strong supporter of law enforcement in Tamaqua and statewide. Now, more than ever, we need to show our men and women in blue that we stand behind them. I look forward to the completion of this project and the positive impact it will have on public safety.”
“I want to congratulate Rep. Knowles for his leadership in guiding this very competitive grant application to aid the Tamaqua Police Department to its successful completion,” added Sen. Dave Argall (R-29). “This funding will give the police department a much needed, state-of-the art facility and continue the downtown’s ongoing revitalization.”
Specifically, the grant will go toward the demolition of blighted properties along PA Route 309 in downtown Tamaqua and construction of a new, two-story police station and community center.
“Our officers and staff so greatly appreciate this support, and it means so much right now,” said Tamaqua Police Chief Mike Hobbs. “Our station hasn’t changed much since Jerry was a police officer. As we recruit and train the next generation of officers in Tamaqua, this new station will be a great asset to our department.”
“The Tamaqua Area Community Partnership is happy to take the lead to develop this important project,” said Micah Gursky, Tamaqua Area Community Partnership director. “Working together to eliminate blight and improve public safety are community priorities.”
Funding for this RACP grant and others was authorized by lawmakers in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical improvement projects with a focus on job creation.