Rep. Takac & Sen. Dush Announce over $517,000 Awarded to Centre County Infrastructure Projects and Emergency Services, and over $1M total

HARRISBURG – Newly elected state Representative Paul Takac, D-Centre, and Senator Cris Dush, R-Jefferson, today announced that $517,571 has been awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to three Centre County infrastructure projects and emergency services.

Benner Township Water Authority received funding for two separate projects. The first grant is for renovations and upgrades to the Grove Park water system and totaled $87,550. The second project was awarded $80,021 which will be used to replace well pump equipment and install an automated early warning and detection system for the Hampton/Opequon water system.

In addition, Burnside Township was awarded $350,000 on behalf of the Pine Glen Fire Company. The funds will be used to help purchase and construct a new firefighting tanker truck to replace an existing unit that is nearly 35 years old.

Rep. Takac stated, “Public safety is a top priority for every community. That is why I am pleased to announce funding for long overdue equipment upgrades to support the outstanding work of the Pine Glen Fire Company, as well as for key infrastructure investments to ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean water for residents of Benner Township.”

“These projects are necessary and will help ensure access to safe drinking water and emergency services for years to come,” said Dush. “These critical funds are intended to reach the communities that need them.  For Representative Takac and I this is not a partisan issue but an issue of taking care of The People we serve.”

To underscore that bipartisan approach, Rep. Takac and Senator Dush have partnered to help secure over $1 million to support projects in communities across the 82nd Legislative District in this round of Local Share Account (LSA) funding. Those additional projects include $319,176 for the Mountaintop Regional Water Authority in Snow Shoe Borough and $200,960 for the Monument Water Authority in Liberty Township.

“The Senator and I are committed to setting aside our differences when possible in order to work together on behalf of the people and communities we represent.” said Takac. “That’s a big part of the job we were hired to do. I think we’re off to a strong start.”

Local Share Account funding was created by the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004), which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the CFA to support projects in the public interest within Pennsylvania.