Mullins announces $800,000 in state funding for local infrastructure, parks and recreation projects

HARRISBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today announced the award of $800,000 in state funding for infrastructure, parks and recreation projects within the 112th Legislative District.

“These are all important infrastructure investments to not only ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, but also to improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors of our great communities,” Mullins said. “I was proud to advocate for these funds in partnership with my area legislative colleagues and local officials who understand the importance of aggressively pursuing state funding for the benefit of our area.”

Mullins said the following local projects are receiving state funding through several programs from the Commonwealth Finance Authority:

Multimodal Transportation Fund:

  • Archbald Borough - $100,000 toward a multi-phase project to improve pedestrian and motorist safety via new sidewalks, streetlighting and curbs along a busy stretch of North Main Street.

  • Blakely Borough - $400,000 to remove and reconstruct a section of a crumbling retaining wall, which must be completed prior to the eventual repaving of Main Street. The funds will also provide for the installation of ADA-compliant sidewalks and curbing, crosswalks, a bus shelter, and lighting and signage for the intersecting river trail.

  • Olyphant Borough - $200,000 to construct the Eddy Creek Trail section of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program:

  • Archbald Borough - $100,000 to renovate the James Radzelovage Park – a heavily used neighborhood park on State Street within the Borough. Funding will provide for the replacement of dilapidated park equipment, refurbishment of the existing basketball court, and installation of new park fencing.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. Unique among state agencies in structure and scope, the CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking and Securities. Project approval requires five affirmative votes, four of which must come from legislative appointees.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Act 13 of 2012 established the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Finance Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program and funding statewide initiatives to assist with flood mitigation using the Flood Mitigation Fund.