Jim Thorpe Police Department Awarded L.S.A. Grant

State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne/Carbon, and State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, announced that seven Carbon County projects will receive $816,070 in funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

“The state’s investment in these important community projects will improve public safety, invest in regional infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for the residents throughout Carbon County,” Yudichak said.

“Each of these projects provide a substantial benefit to our communities and to Carbon County as whole,” Heffley said.

Carbon County will receive $125,000 to help with the completion of phase 1-B of the Emergency Operations and Training Center.

The center will serve as a training hub for all Carbon County first responders, including a fire and police training facility with burn and observation towers.

Commissioner Wayne Nothstein said the county had applied for $200,000, but he thanked Yudichak and Heffley for their support in this project.

“Sure, we could have used the full amount, but this does put us close to having enough funds to complete Phase one (access road). I am happy we received this much,” Nothstein said.

“I am still hoping for an approval by DEP by the end of June so we can finalize the specs and bid this project this summer,” Nothstein said.

The other projects are:

• Lansford will receive $160,000 to construct a municipal garage. The pole building facility will be used to house borough equipment and also will store tools and vehicles used by the Lansford Borough Streets Department.

• Mahoning Township will receive $131,000 on behalf of the Carbon County Council of Governments to help with the purchase of a street sweeper. The street sweeper will serve as a crucial addition to the council and will be shared between the 18 municipalities that are currently members.

• Jim Thorpe will receive $67,449 to help with the purchase of solar powered parking kiosks that will be installed on the west side of the borough. This will allow residents and visitors to pay with coins, bills or credit cards, making the parking process more convenient. The borough will also purchase a hand held computer and signage for the kiosks.

• Kidder Township will receive $42,026 for a paving and sidewalk replacement project at the Kidder Township Municipal Building. The municipal building houses the Kidder Township Police Department, all of the township’s committee meetings, and serves as the region’s emergency shelter.

• Lehighton will receive $34,000 to help purchase equipment upgrades and technological improvements for the Lehighton Borough Police Department.

• One Carbon County project was funded with $256,595 through the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer program, which assists municipalities with the construction, improvement, expansion, and rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sewer system.

“The Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Grant Program is vital to keeping our community’s water and sewer infrastructure safe and dependable,” said Yudichak. “The Palmerton Municipal Authority will utilize these important state funds to upgrade its facilities and deliver better water services to its customers.”

The tank and pump station will offer residents a reliable supply of water for daily and emergency use. Currently, high water usage creates water shortage issues for 125 homes serviced by the 5 horsepower electric booster pump.

“I am glad to see funds available for this local infrastructure project that will increase water pressure in the west end of Palmerton,” Heffley said.