Sappey announces $1.5M in RACP project grants for Longwood Gardens and Fame Fire Company

East Marlborough, Dec. 23 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, today announced $1.5 million in state grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program that will support the Fame Fire Company of West Chester and Longwood Gardens.

“Longwood Gardens is a Chester County institution, and I am honored to support them in securing this funding for facility upgrades,” Sappey said. “Public gardens, such as Longwood, provide tremendous peace and joy to the public while serving as an economic driver for our region. These grant funds will help Longwood remain a leader in horticulture education, research and displays. Fame Fire Company has continued to innovate and grow along with the West Chester community. They serve on the Chester County Rescue Task Force as the lead company for swift water, trench, and structural collapse technical rescues. These facility upgrades will allow them to further increase efficiency and lower response times.”

$1,000,000 will be provided to Fame Fire Company of West Chester, which is renovating and expanding the existing fire station located near West Chester University. The proposed improvements involve renovating the existing building and constructing an 8,000 square foot addition. The new firehouse will have four single fire truck bays, two additional drive-through double length truck bays, a recreation room, a fitness/training room, office space, overnight bunks, live-in dormitory rooms, and additional storage and accessory spaces.

$500,000 will be provided to Longwood Gardens, which has developed a 40-year capital improvement plan aimed at enhancing research and educational capabilities, as well as improving overall visitor experience for its extensive network of members and tourists. These improvement plans include the expansion of the private wastewater treatment facility for future demand and will enable Longwood to meet its long-term sustainability and growth plans.

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.

For more information, contact Sappey’s district office at (484) 200-8264.

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