Today is his last day in office, but Senator Don White is going out with a major announcement. The senator says four state grants totaling $1.25 million have been allocated for community development projects around Indiana County.
The grants announced in collaboration with Representatives Jeff Pyle, Jim Struzzi, and Chris Dush include:
- $500,000 for the county to improve broadband internet access, especially in rural areas.
- $450,000 to aide in the revitalization of the Sherman Street Park in Clymer, which will enable the borough to make sidewalk and street improvements and remove blighted properties.
- $200,000 for Burrell Township to construct a new library building and township offices.
- $100,000 to rehabilitate four miles of Pine Vale Road in Grant Township.
HERE IS THE STATEMENT FROM SENATOR DON WHITE, ANNOUNCING THE GRANTS AND OFFERING COMMENTS FROM THE SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVES PYLE, STRUZZI, AND DUSH:
Indiana County to Receive $1.25 Million in State Grants
Four state grants totaling $1.25 million will facilitate community development projects around Indiana County, according to Senator Don White and state Representatives Jeff Pyle, James Struzzi and Cris Dush. The grants were awarded from the Department of Community & Economic Development’s Keystone Communities program, according to Senator White, who pushed for the funding.
“I am proud to have had the opportunity to represent the residents of Indiana County and be their advocate in Harrisburg,” said Senator White, who is retiring from office on February 28. “I have always worked to improve the quality of life for my friends and neighbors here and made economic development and job creation my top priorities over the last 18-plus years. We have made a lot of progress during that time and these grants will help continue those efforts.”
This final round of local grants under Senator White’s tenure includes $500,000 for Indiana County to improve broadband internet access, especially in rural areas around the region.
“Increasing investments in rural infrastructure has been a priority of mine during my 18-years as a State Senator,” Senator White said. “We increasingly live in a knowledge-driven economy, making access to high-speed internet essential to our daily lives and our economy. Today, over 650,000 Pennsylvania residents still lack high-speed internet access. Lack of quality internet access means businesses are not able to market themselves and conduct business online, kids miss out on learning opportunities and healthcare facilities cannot share information with specialists.”
Representative Pyle agreed the internet access is an essential component of the modern world.
“Access to broadband and other communication services is critical for functioning in a 21st century economy. Rural broadband is vital to ensuring our rural areas can continue to thrive, and when rural communities have quality broadband, they are able to keep pace with the rest of the world,” said Representative Pyle. “Broadband service should benefit residents and businesses, including our farmers, in these underserved areas, as well as critical community facilities, such as healthcare, public schools, and municipal offices. Don White has been a true champion for our region and I was pleased to work with him in efforts like this to enhance our communities.”
Clymer Borough will receive $450,000 as part of an effort to revitalize Sherman Street Park by making sidewalk and street improvements as well as the removal of blighted properties.
“This kind of funding makes a major difference in a small community like Clymer and I am pleased to help in that effort,” Senator White said.
“Local officials in Clymer are taking real steps to improve the quality of life in their community,” said Representative Struzzi. “However, this grant will impact more than just those people living in Clymer. It will enhance the quality of life for many residents throughout northern Indiana County.
Another grant that will have a major impact in a small community is the $200,000 that Senator White helped secure for Burrell Township to build a new home for its library and for township office space.
“I have always strongly supported efforts to ensure community residents, especially children and students, have access to library service,” said Senator White. “During meetings with township officials and residents their enthusiasm for this project was obvious. I was more than pleased to push for this funding. Libraries are a keystone to prosperous communities. Burrell Township is a gateway to Indiana County and this new office will make township officials and records much more accessible to residents and visitors alike.”
Capping off the round of grants is $100,000 toward the rehabilitation of Pine Vale Road in Grant Township.
“This long overdue project will rehabilitate approximately four miles of roadway,” said Representative Dush. “Grant Township is very small and rural. It has a significant amount of roadway that need maintained but with a tax base that has dwindled over the past 30 years. If we’re going to attract new wage earners to the area this investment in infrastructure will be a significant help in doing it.”
“My office has heard from constituents frequently about the need to rehabilitate Pine Vale Road and I’m excited to have worked with the local officials to bring the needed resources to the table to make the rehabilitation happen,” noted Senator White.
