Rader, Brown Announce $1.5 Million in State Funding for Monroe County Projects, Purchases

May 26, 2021

HARRISBURG – Reps. Jack Rader (R-Monroe) and Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) today announced the awarding of more than $1.5 million in state funding to assist with improvement projects and purchases in Monroe County. The grants were made available through the Monroe County Local Share Account (LSA), which is supported by gaming revenues.

The local grants are as follows:
• Broadhead Creek Regional Authority – $288,926 for construction of a water storage tank to complement public water system improvements in Pocono Township.
• Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital-Pocono – $272,422 for purchase of a new cardiac catherization system.
• Blakeslee Community Association – $231,870 for renovations to the Tobyhanna Township Community Center, including the rebuilding of the rear portion of the center, new HVAC system, community room and rest rooms.
• Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company – $200,000 for purchase of 30 air packs.
• Pocono Township – $200,000 for improvements at the intersection of SR 611 and Rimrock Drive/Bartonsville Avenue, including right-turn lanes, curbing, new traffic signals, sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks.
• Smithfield Township – $146,467 for construction of the Vision Loss Sculpture Trail at the Waterfront Wellness Park in partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital-Pocono.
• Pocono Pride Softball – $92,606 for construction of a new pole building at the Field of Dreams Athletic Park in Mount Pocono Borough.
• American Legion Post 903 – $57,225 for the evaluation of two historic buildings along Fairview Avenue in Mount Pocono Borough.
• Delaware Water Gap Borough – $28,336 for purchase and installation of a generator to ensure the continued supply of water during a power outage.
• Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company – $20,615 to replace two air conditioning systems in the social hall, which is a designated emergency shelter.

“From health care and traffic safety to historic preservation and water systems, this funding covers a wide variety of projects and purchases that will help to improve our quality of life,” Rader said. “I was happy to advocate for their funding approval, which is welcome news for all of us who live and work in Monroe County.”

“These LSA grants play a critical role in projects that are often difficult to move forward without additional funding and can help build our community’s infrastructure and fund important improvements,” said Brown. “I am especially pleased to see Smithfield Township receive funding to build on parks and recreation efforts, as well as Delaware Water Gap Borough for its well generator to protect residents. The Rimrock Drive traffic improvement project, Lehigh Valley Health Network Cardio Cath Lab equipment (during a difficult COVID year), Pocono Pride Softball project to continue to support children’s sports (during an extremely difficult time for our youth), as well as all of the approved projects, from emergency services to veteran
support to education, are beneficial in many different ways.”

The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.

Representative Jack Rader
176th Legislative District
RepRader.com / Facebook.com/RepJackRader
Representative Rosemary M. Brown
189th Legislative District
RepBrown.com / Facebook.com/RepRosemaryBrown
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Rader Media Contact: Andy Briggs, 717-260-6474
Brown Media Contact: Abby Chiumento, 717-260-6617