ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown is set to get a $3 million grant for a project to repair sewer lines.
The city’s grant is the largest among the 13 projects in Lehigh County to get money from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) latest round of funding. The other dozen projects will split $4.1 million.
The CFA on Dec. 19 approved $335 million in grants for more than 1,000 projects, according to the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
Almost all of that money — about $320 million — will support the construction or rehabilitation of municipal water systems.
CFA grants will “help protect residents … from the devastating impacts of flooding, while allowing property owners and renters to keep as much money in their pockets for other expenses.”State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh
Emmaus is set to get more than $1.6 million to maintain the borough’s four water storage tanks and to repair and replace manholes and sewer linings, according to the CFA.
Salisbury Township will get just over $1 million to upgrade parts of its sanitary sewer system and rehabilitate water mains in the Meadowbrook area.
Funding from the CFA will “help protect residents … from the devastating impacts of flooding, while allowing property owners and renters to keep as much money in their pockets for other expenses,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said in a news release.
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, said the funding to upgrade stormwater infrastructure will help municipalities address “the flooding concerns that cut across all demographics.”
“A common concern for residents in Parkland and Allentown is aging infrastructure,” Schlossberg said. “Homeowners, small business owners and people who want assurance of high-quality open space will benefit knowing their infrastructure is being improved.”
Grants for arts, culture groups
Just under 400 organizations will split $15 million in funding through the CFA’s Arts and Culture Recovery Program.
More than $420,000 will go to groups in the Lehigh Valley, almost all to Allentown-based organizations.
The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is set to distribute its $115,500 grant through coronavirus pandemic-recovery payments to arts and culture professionals in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe counties, according to the CFA.
Allentown Symphony Association stands to get just over $75,000 to support new programming, while the Da Vinci Science Center will use its $70,000 grant for operating expenses.
“Through ensuring long-term sustainability in our stormwater systems and further strengthening our arts and cultural institutions, we can ensure the Lehigh Valley continues to experience growth and prosperity [and that] our cultural institutions offer a quality of place that makes our region desirable and competitive.”State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh
The Allentown Art Museum ($68,525), Civic Theatre of Allentown ($41,624) and Baum School of Art also ($33,570) also plan to use their grants to cover operating expenses, according to the CFA.
Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, based in Allentown, and the regional Lehigh Valley Arts and Culture Alliance each will get $10,000 from the CFA to offset lost revenue.
Help create 'safe and healthy communities'
DCED Secretary Rick Siger said those “significant investments” will help create “safe and healthy communities across the Commonwealth.”
“From making critical infrastructure improvements, to strengthening and enriching communities by supporting artists and cultural organizations hurt financially by the pandemic, these projects will enhance our economy and improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians,” Siger said in a news release.
State Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Lehigh, also lauded the investments in “critical infrastructure and the Lehigh Valley’s cultural vibrancy.”
“Through ensuring long-term sustainability in our stormwater systems and further strengthening our arts and cultural institutions, we can ensure the Lehigh Valley continues to experience growth and prosperity [and that] our cultural institutions offer a quality of place that makes our region desirable and competitive,” Siegel said.
