Longwood Gardens awarded $550,000 to expand wastewater treatment plant
Rep. Christina Sappey December 8, 2021 | 2:42 PM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 8 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, and State Sen. John Kane, D-Chester, announced $550,000 in state grant funding has been awarded to Longwood Gardens to help complete a comprehensive wastewater treatment plant expansion project.
“Longwood is not only part of the fabric of Chester County, but recognized worldwide for its research, sustainability, educational outreach and economic development,” Sappey said. “It’s important for the commonwealth to partner with forward thinking organizations, so I’m very pleased they have received this funding.”
“Bringing money back into our communities is one of the most rewarding parts of this job, and I’m so proud to have worked with Representative Sappey to deliver this funding to Longwood,” Kane said. “Longwood is world-renowned not only for its beauty, but for the groundbreaking research into conservation and sustainability. This funding will help Longwood operate more sustainably in the future and continue to be a great part to our community for decades to come."
Longwood Gardens owns and operates its own private wastewater treatment plant. The plant currently handles 100,000 gallons per day. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding will not only improve water quality, but also help the facility expand to increase its capacity by more than 50%. The project will install test wells to evaluate and monitor ground water quality at the designated drip irrigation site, excavate soil testing pits at the drip irrigation site, and start the clarifier skimmer install.
This project is part of a larger multi-year capital improvement plan for the entire facility. It is aimed at expanding current educational offerings, horticultural research, career development, and preservation capabilities while also enhancing the overall visitor experience.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is a grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
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 revenue or other measures of economic activity.