Freeman lauds $1.02 million in state grants

HARRISBURG, May 16 – State Rep. Robert Freeman welcomes $1.02 million awarded today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for projects throughout his legislative district in Northampton County.

“I would like to thank the CFA board and my legislative colleagues in the state House and Senate for supporting these worthwhile projects that will benefit the communities in which they are located. They include recreational facilities, safety equipment and infrastructure improvements that would be out of reach without the allocation of these state dollars that were obtained from the taxes generated by our local casinos,” said Freeman, D-Northampton.

Freeman said the following grants were awarded through Local Share Account funds that are available to communities in Northampton County for projects concerning the public interest, community improvement and economic development:

  • $200,000 to Hellertown Borough so the former Reinhard School site can be transformed into a multi-use community recreational facility called Reinhard’s Park.
  • $200,000 to Northampton County, on behalf of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, to construct five affordable townhomes at the former site of the Glendon Hotel in Glendon Borough.
  • $115,333 to Palmer Township, on behalf of Suburban EMS, to purchase a new ambulance for use in its 14-municipality coverage area in Northampton County.
  • $114,530 to Lower Saucon Township to redevelop the Easton Road ballfields.
  • $100,000 for Wilson Borough to rehabilitate a community playground at South 23rd and 4th streets.
  • Two grants totaling $100,000 to Freemansburg Borough for the construction of a seating area for the outdoor amphitheater in Gerald C. Yob Community Park.
  • $75,000 to Palmer Township to plan for the Mill Race Park and 9/11 Trail.
  • $60,682 to the city of Easton to purchase radios and equipment for the Easton Fire Department.
  • $30,060 to the city of Easton to purchase a van to transport the police department’s LIDAR observation equipment throughout Northampton County.
  • $25,000 to West Easton Borough for the removal of the Iron Street and Spring Street trestle bridges.

The CFA is an independent state agency responsible for administering Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs. More information about its programs is available here.