Pashinski announces almost $3 million in Local Share Account state grants for local projects

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski    June 10, 2022 | 4:46 PM

HARRISBURG, June 10 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, today announced that 11 projects in his district will be receiving a total of $2.92 million in grant funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Local Share Account for selected applications from 2021.

“It is always a pleasure working with my House and Senate colleagues, municipal officials, and organizational leaders to successfully secure vital funds for important and meaningful projects like these for our district,” Pashinski said. “These grant awards are perfect examples of how LSA funding helps invest in our communities in addition to providing property tax relief. My sincere thanks to everyone that contributed their time and expertise to bring these projects to reality, a special thank you to Senator Yudichak, representing Ashley Borough, Fairview Township and Hanover Township, and to Senator Flynn with his support for Wilkes-Barre City.”

These municipalities and organizations in the 121st Legislative District were awarded funding in the following amounts for the listed purposes:

  • Wilkes-Barre – $350,000 on behalf of Luzerne County Transportation Authority, for the construction of a centralized transit facility in the city.
  • Ashley Borough – $238,909 for a new roof and gutters as part of the Ashley Borough Municipal Building Roof Replacement Project.
  • Fairview Township – $166,689 for roadway improvements along Spruce Street and Kirby Avenue, including repairs to the existing manholes, swales, and install storm inlets, along with milling and repaving roads.
  • Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority - $175,000 on behalf of Allied Services Center City Skilled Nursing, for the conversion of the 3rd and 4th floors of a building into a dual licensed Medicare/Medicaid skilled nursing facility.
  • Wilkes-Barre city – $50,000 toward improvements and renovations to the WVAL building.
  • Wilkes-Barre – $225,000 for Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA Facility Locker Rooms Transformation, including a transformation of the locker room, a whirlpool, steam room, and a massage and lounge area.
  • Wilkes-Barre – $350,000 on behalf of Wilkes University, for equipment for a Cannabis Certification Program.
  • Wilkes-Barre – $234,527 on behalf of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, to assist with HVAC system upgrades and a façade stabilization at the Kirby Center.
  • Wilkes-Barre – $479,965 for interior and exterior renovations to the existing City Hall building; and
  • Wilkes-Barre – $200,029 for renovations to the city-owned Department of Public Works building.

In addition to the approved projects listed above for the 121st Legislative District, the following project was awarded covering parts of the 121st and 119th Legislative Districts, which are represented by Pashinski and Representative Gerald Mullery:

  • Hanover Township – $450,000 for Solomon's Creek Interceptor Phase 4, which will rehabilitate 600 feet of the Solomon Creek Interceptor along Ferry Road.

The LSA receives gaming money generated by casinos, including Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The gaming funds provided by the casinos are also distributed statewide to provide property tax relief. The Commonwealth's Budget Secretary certified that $778.million in state-funded local tax relief will be available in 2022-23. When combined with the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, total state-funded property tax relief will be $867.1 million next year.

The CFA is an independent state agency responsible for administering Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs. You can learn more about their programs here.