Congressman Dan Meuser and community leaders have worked for the last year to identify projects with most need and greatest potential impact for direct federal funding.
“Passage of this bill is the culmination of more than a year of working with stakeholders in our communities to identify and secure federal support for their critical needs,” said Rep. Meuser. “These federal funds will be instrumental for completing these projects, to improve our infrastructure, accelerate revitalization, and improve Pennsylvanians’ quality of life. This process has allowed me to bring my district’s needs directly before Congress without interference from unelected bureaucrats directing federal funding. I appreciate community leaders’ collaboration with my office to see this process through and I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders in the Ninth District to deliver federal support for local needs.”
Passage of this bill ensures these Schuylkill County projects will soon receive direct federal funding including:
Alvernia University CollegeTowne in Pottsville - $2 Million
$2 million for Alvernia University’s campus in downtown Pottsville to fund programming, classroom, and technology upgrades for the new campus and support the development of two new programs, a B.S. in Nursing and Bachelor of Logistics.
Columbia Street Arch Bridge in Schuylkill Haven- $3 Million
Requested by the NEPA Alliance, this direct funding will contribute to replacing the entire Columbia Street bridge in Schuylkill Haven. The bridge was built in 1921 and is currently in poor condition and carries an average 10,447 vehicles per day.
Schuylkill County Intermediate Punishment Facility - $1.06 Million
Requested by Schuylkill County, this federal funding will support equipping and securing a newly constructed facility. A 2018 study identified a need for such a facility to eliminate overcrowding at the County Prison and a facility for mental health and addiction treatment for inmates. This federal funding supports equipment and security needs for the new facility.
Requested by Schuylkill County, this federal funding will support equipping and securing a newly constructed facility. A 2018 study identified a need for such a facility to eliminate overcrowding at the County Prison and a facility for mental health and addiction treatment for inmates. This federal funding supports equipment and security needs for the new facility.
The following projects outside of Schuylkill County will receive funding:
- $1 million for Lebanon Valley College’s nursing program. The funding will support construction of a facility to house the four-year nursing program, the only nursing program in Lebanon County.
- $1 million for the Berwick YMCA to construct a new gymnasium and community center to serve the area with recreation programs, food distribution, childcare, and other community support programs.
- $2.5 million for the Borough of Jim Thorpe to make improvements to Memorial Hall which serves as the main municipal building for the borough government.
- $750,000 to study Reading-Philadelphia Rail Service to investigate the feasibility and economic benefits of linking these cities through reliable rail service.
- $2.675 million for Revitalizing Independence Street in Shamokin to execute a plan to improve the appearance and safety of Downtown Shamokin.
“Passage of this bill is the culmination of more than a year of working with stakeholders in our communities to identify and secure federal support for their critical needs,” said Rep. Meuser. “These federal funds will be instrumental for completing these projects, to improve our infrastructure, accelerate revitalization, and improve Pennsylvanians’ quality of life. This process has allowed me to bring my district’s needs directly before Congress without interference from unelected bureaucrats directing federal funding. I appreciate community leaders’ collaboration with my office to see this process through and I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders in the Ninth District to deliver federal support for local needs.”