Northhampton News

Rep. Zach Mako and Senators Jarrett Coleman and Nick Miller have announced the allocation of over $3 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants and more than $2.3 million in Public School Facility Improvement grants for projects within Pennsylvania's 183rd Legislative District. The funding, sourced from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), aims to support various public interest projects.

Act 71 of 2004 allows for the distribution of LSA gaming revenues through the CFA to fund projects that benefit communities across Pennsylvania. Additionally, the Public School Facility Improvement Grant provides financial assistance to public school districts and technical schools for necessary facility upgrades.

"Each project addressed through these two grant programs will fix or replace critical infrastructure or equipment our schools and municipalities use to make our community a better place to live," said Rep. Mako. "I’m happy to help assist with obtaining this money. Without this aid, it would be very difficult for these projects to move forward."

Senator Coleman expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with Rep. Mako, stating, "These are all important projects, and I’m especially excited to remove asbestos from Northern Lehigh High School."

Senator Miller highlighted the collaborative effort by saying, "I’m pleased to work in a bipartisan, bicameral manner with Rep. Mako to secure this funding."

The Public School Facility Improvement grants were awarded as follows: Catasauqua Area School District received $1 million for roof repairs at Catasauqua High School; Lehigh Career and Technical Institute was granted $400,000 for roof restoration and HVAC upgrades; Northern Lehigh School District obtained $904,350 for an asbestos abatement project at Northern Lehigh High School.

Municipalities benefiting from LSA funding include Allen Township with $1 million for converting a former fire company social hall into an administrative facility; Bath Borough received funds totaling $697,271 for vehicle replacements and water source construction; Lehigh Township Municipal Authority was allocated $702,000 for wastewater treatment plant expansion; North Catasauqua Borough acquired $107,573 for police department utility vehicles; Slatington Borough received over $77,000 for police safety gear and traffic cameras; Walnutport Borough was granted a total of $450,000 for various emergency service equipment purchases.

The 183rd House District encompasses parts of Lehigh County including Lowhill and North Whitehall townships as well as Slatington Borough. It also covers several areas in Northampton County such as Allen Township and Bath Borough.