Burns: $4.1 million awarded to 19 local projects

Funding for these projects will ease the burden on municipalities and local taxpayers

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – Building on his commitment of working with municipalities to secure funding, state Rep. Frank Burns today announced that $4.1 million has been awarded to 19 local projects in his legislative district.

“These are all projects that are needed in our region, whether they update antiquated equipment like the HVAC system for Conemaugh Valley Junior-Senior High School or the old fire siren for Middle Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Company, renovate facilities like the 1st Summit Arena, Johnstown library and Southmont Borough’s municipal building, or improve pedestrian safety in Ebensburg and allow new vehicle and equipment purchases for Hyndman health, area police departments, townships and municipal authorities,” Burns said.

“I personally met with many of these municipalities and organizations to get a full understanding of their needs and the impact it would have on our community – these awards are the results of those meetings,” he said. “These improvements will make a difference in the region’s quality of life and save local taxpayers money.”

The awardees, amount and project are:

  • 1st Summit Arena – $220,693 to renovate the kitchen.
    • $100,000 to renovate the parking area.
  • Blacklick Valley Foundation and Ambulance Service -- $202,713 for a new ambulance to be used in Nanty Glo.
  • Conemaugh Township – $59,499 to purchase a crack sealing trailer to help repair roads.
    • $150,000 for a new excavator.
    • $72,861 to replace its 17-year-old Dodge Charger with an all-wheel driver Ford Expedition.
  • Conemaugh Valley Junior-Senior High School -- $2 million for HVAC upgrades.
  • East Conemaugh Borough -- $107,805 to purchase an additional maintenance vehicle and replace a high-mileage police vehicle.
  • Ebensburg -- $52,747 to purchase and install two rapid flashing beacons at the corner of West High and Julian streets for increased pedestrian safety.
  • Hyndman Area Health Center -- $242,000 for new medical and dental equipment for its Johnstown office.
  • Jackson East Taylor Sewer Authority -- $57,500 to replace a damaged portion of sewer main along state Route 271 near Mundy’s Corner.
  • Johnstown Redevelopment Authority -- $82,000 to create a community meeting space at the Cambria County Library in Johnstown.
  • Johnstown’s Women’s Help Center -- $31,431 to renovate the shelter’s bathrooms, boiler and HVAC systems.
  • Lorain Borough -- $58,252 for a small excavator for various public works projects in the borough.
  • Lower Yoder Township -- $101,268 for the Elk Run culvert rehabilitation project.
  • Middle Taylor Township -- $25,821 to upgrade the antiquated siren at Middle Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Co.
  • Southmont Borough -- $324,315 for updates to the municipal building.
  • Upper Yoder Township -- $61,848 to buy a 2024 Ford Utility SUV for the police department.
  • Upper Yoder Township Authority -- $150,000 for a van and related equipment to aid in the maintenance of the sanitary sewer.

The award for the HVAC project at CVJSHS is from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development. The remaining awards are funded by the Statewide Local Share Account, which comes from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. Both programs are financed by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.