Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rep. Venkat collaboratively brings over $750,000 in grant funding to the community

Rep. Venkat collaboratively brings over $750,000 in grant funding to the community

Rep. Arvind Venkat    November 18, 2025 | 11:15 AM

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 18 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved $768,041 in grant funding for projects backed collaboratively by Allegheny County state Reps. Arvind Venkat, Lindsay Powell and Jeremy Shaffer, as well as state Sens. Lindsey Williams, Devlin Robinson and Wayne Fontana.

“One of my most important duties as a state lawmaker is to secure funding for our community,” said Venkat. “These grants will support critical projects for our emergency medical services, recreational facilities, public infrastructure, borough buildings and parks and playgrounds. I was proud to advocate for these projects and am thankful to my colleagues for their partnership in making this funding possible.”

The projects funded with the grants include:

  • $205,000 to Franklin Park Borough to replace playground equipment at Blueberry Hill Park with ADA-compliant equipment. Supported with Sen. Robinson.
  • $105,000 to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority to support chassis replacement on existing ambulance vehicles. Supported with Sens. Williams and Robinson and Rep. Shaffer.
  • $100,000 to the Ingomar North Recreation & Swimming Club in McCandless for new equipment and renovations of the pool. Supported with Sen. Williams.
  • $55,000 to construct a new ADA-compliant ramp at the Ben Avon Municipal Building. Supported with Sen. Fontana.
  • $50,000 to the Avonworth Historical Society for off-street parking with ADA accessible spaces and a ramp, along with new lighting, landscaping and façade restoration in Ben Avon. Supported with Sen. Fontana.
  • $40,000 to Hampton Township to replace the roofs on seven large pavilions, update an electrical panel, and add metal picnic tables to Hampton Community Park. Supported with Sen. Williams and Rep. Shaffer.
  • $213,041 to Shaler-Hampton Area EMS for the purchase of a new ambulance. Supported with Sen. Williams and Reps. Powell and Shaffer.

The grant awards come from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund, with money for the fund coming from gaming revenue.