Madden procures $1.54 million for local projects

HARRISBURG, May 21 – State Rep. Maureen Madden said $1.54 million in Local Share Account grants were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a variety of Monroe County projects.

“A portion of the state taxes paid by Pennsylvania’s casinos help to fund local improvements in neighboring communities,” said Madden, D-Monroe. “I am pleased that the CFA board recognized how imperative these improvements are. Emergency services are the lifeblood of our communities. The funding provided will provide first responders with new opportunities to serve the public and stay safe doing it.”

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority was awarded a total of $663,676 for the following:

  • $250,000, on behalf of the Monroe Career and Technical Institute, for improvements to the existing building in Pocono Township, including a 15,000-square-foot addition, a new security entry point, and a conference room.
  • $100,000, on behalf of the Paradise Falls Lutheran Association, for phase two of a stream restoration and fish habitat improvement project located in Paradise Township.
  • $250,000, on behalf of Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services, to build a new ambulance station in Coolbaugh Township.
  • $63,676, on behalf of Pocono Pride Softball, for improvements to the Field of Dreams Athletic Park in Mount Pocono.

Barrett Township will use its $331,838 grant to pave the parking lots and entrance roads surrounding the Barrett Township Administrative and Recreation Complex.

The Pocono Mountains Industrial Park Authority will receive $100,000 for the PMCC Sewer Line Connection project located in Coolbaugh Township to connect the Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East business/industrial park to the spray irrigation sewage treatment facility.

Pocono Township will use its $200,000 grant to replace a pedestrian bridge in TLC Park.

Madden said she and state Rep. Tarah Probst, D-Monroe/Pike, worked to acquire a $248,437 grant for Smithfield Township, on behalf of the Marshalls Creek Fire Co., for safety improvements to two fire stations located in Smithfield and Price townships. This project will install exhaust systems in both fire company garages, upgrade gear cleaning equipment, and upgrade fire detection and security equipment.