Kelly secures $15.7 million in Community Project Funding grants for Western Pa. in House-passed budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) secured $15.7 million in Community Project Funding requests, which includes $4 million for volunteer fire departments and over $1 million for police departments in Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. The funding was included in four spending bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024. Rep. Kelly voted in favor of the spending bills.

"It's so important to remember that every dollar that comes to Washington first comes out of a hardworking taxpayer's pocket. We selected these projects because they give taxpayers the greatest return on their investment," Rep. Kelly said. "One of the biggest needs we have seen across Western Pennsylvania is more funding for our local volunteer fire departments. We are continuing to support true, physical infrastructure that makes our communities stronger and more vibrant places to live. I've been proud to deliver more than $33 million in Community Project Funding over the last two years on top of $46 million for two major BUILD Grants in Butler and Erie counties in 2020. We are delivering results for Western Pennsylvania!"

Below is a list of the projects Rep. Kelly secured that will receive funding (by county):

Butler County

Project: Butler Township Volunteer Fire Department Station
Recipient: Butler Township
Address of Recipient: 290 South Duffy Road, Butler, PA 16001
Amount: $1.25 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: This request will bring the Butler volunteer fire department under one single fire station that will house all departmental equipment and streamline fire services for Butler Township. Volunteer fire departments form a pillar of their community. One of the most prudent uses of taxpayer funds is in support of those who volunteer their time both for training and emergency responses to safeguard their community.

Project: Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company New Station Construction
Recipient: Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company
Address of Recipient: 180 Main Street, Connoquenessing, PA 16027
Amount: $2 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The current fire station was built in the 1900s and does not meet NFPA 1500 standards on occupational safety. This project will replace that station and provide more efficient response to critical fire and rescue calls in the community. Connoquenessing Township is the third fastest growing township in Butler County. This facility will allow for growth as the communities continue to become denser and more diverse.

Project: Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company
Recipient: Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company
Address of Recipient: 511 West Prairie Street, Harrisville, PA 16038
Amount: $375,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The current apparatus of the fire station has required many costly repairs and has declined in reliability. The apparatus does not currently meet NFPA 1901 standards and poses safety risks to the personnel. This new piece of apparatus for a new pumper tanker would increase abilities for firefighting and protection in the Harrisville and Mercer Township areas.

Project: Route 19 Waterline Replacement Project
Recipient: Cranberry Township
Address of Recipient: 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Amount: $1.25 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: More than 21,000 workers travel to Cranberry Township from Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington, Armstrong, and Mercer Counties for employment opportunities. This incredible growth over the lase couple of decades has led to increased needs, including water supply and drinking water. The project will replace over 7,000 feet of existing waterline along the State Route 19 corridor. This project will provide reliable service to the existing customer base in Cranberry Township.

Project: Shearer Bridge Preservation – MPMS #98028
Recipient: PennDOT – District 10
Address of Recipient: Intersection of US 422 and SR 68
Amount: $4.5 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: This project will preserve a critical bridge infrastructure asset for the SPC region on a primary National Highway System route. The funding will go directly to the construction phase and result in the preservation activities necessary to maintain the bridge in good order. The current detour length of the bridge is two miles and should a detour unexpectedly occur, there would be significant ramifications to traffic patterns in the area.

Crawford County

Project: Hayfield Central Hose Company Upgrade and Refurbishment
Recipient: Hayfield Central Hose Company
Address of Recipient: 15417 State Highway 198, Meadville, PA 16335
Amount: $169,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The department provides emergency medical and fire services not only to Hayfield Township and the surrounding communities of Cussewago and Summerhill Townships, but they also respond to emergency calls on a 12-mile section of Interstate 79 between Meadville and Edinboro. The fire department relies entirely on donations and fundraising, which has worked to maintain the deteriorating station. This project would significantly upgrade the truck room, main hall, meeting room, and offices with which these brave men and women work.

Erie County

Project: Erie Police Department Technology Improvements
Recipient: City of Erie
Address of Recipient: 626 State Street, Room 500, Erie, PA 16501
Amount: $492,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The City of Erie has experienced a substantial increase in crime in recent years. The Erie Police Department has been investing in new equipment and technologies over the last few years and moving forward to combat this crime. These new capabilities can result in less damage or injury for the public, faster justice for victims, and improved measurable outcomes and results that can be applied to future scenarios for further savings and improved resolution of incidents.

Project: Erie Regional SWAT Command Vehicle
Recipient: City of Erie
Address of Recipient: 626 State Street, Erie, PA 16501
Amount: $373,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: Due to a lack of funds, Erie SWAT Team’s only equipment transport vehicle is an old ambulance that was renovated and has been used for years based on necessity. These brave men and women are skilled responders trained for high-risk scenarios, but the existing vehicle substantially limits their operations. The new SWAT vehicle will provide the Erie SWAT Team with the necessary resources such as modern features, power functions, and integrated countertops, to do their job properly and safely.

Project: Erie Wastewater Treatment Plant Chlorination Disinfection Reliability
Recipient: City of Erie
Address of Recipient: 68 Port Access Road, Erie, PA 16501
Amount: $1.25 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The Erie Wastewater Treatment Plant is a regional wastewater treatment facility serving about 200,000 residents in Erie County and typically processes 30 to 40 million gallons per day from the city and suburban sewer system. The existing system has aged to the point where replacement parts are no longer readily available. The new system will be more energy efficient and use modern, less-labor intensive technologies. Additionally, the new system will not require the expensive ongoing costs that have been with the old system that required many repairs and maintenance.

Project: Hershey Road Water Booster Station Infrastructure Improvements
Recipient: Summit Township Water Authority
Address of Recipient: 1230 Townhall Road West, Suite 200, Erie, PA 16509
Amount: $250,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The current pumps have exceeded their useful life. The Authority has been utilizing a machinist to create replacement parts, as the needed parts are obsolete. This project would fund a vital component of Summit Township Water Authority’s distribution system by replacing the aged infrastructure. The Booster Pump station project promotes efficient management of water resources and protects the health and safety of the surrounding citizens.

Project: Union City Borough & Police Department City Building Improvement – Phase 2
Recipient: Borough of Union City
Address of Recipient: 13 South Main Street, Union City, PA 16438
Amount: $154,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The Borough is in need of larger publicly accessible meeting spaces for both the Police Department and the Borough. At present, the Borough maintains a small conference room that can seat up to eight people. This project will provide much needed rehabilitation of the 137 year-old city building. Union City is a rural community dedicated to growth, while maintaining small town values.

Lawrence County

Project: Hickory Township Volunteer Fire Department Vehicle
Recipient: Hickory Township Volunteer Fire Department
Address of Recipient: 110 Eastbrook Neshannock Falls Road, New Castle, PA 16105
Amount: $375,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: This new squad/rescue vehicle will help the fire department to keep growing with the ever-growing township. With the shortage of EMS personnel and the current wait time sometimes up to 40 minutes, this vehicle is a priority for life safety. This vehicle will allow the department to get to residents’ houses where a normal fire truck or ambulance could not.

Project: SR 158/North Jefferson Street Restoration
Recipient: PennDOT
Address of Recipient: New Wilmington, PA
Amount: $2.5 million
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The existing surface of SR 158, North Jefferson Street, which serves as a corridor in Wilmington Township and New Wilmington Borough, is deteriorated and approaching the end of its usable life. The project will include milling and resurfacing of existing pavement surface alongside additional base repairs. These restorations will provide a safer, more efficient passage through the area while also improving drainage and pedestrian safety.

Mercer County

Project: Cold Storage Expansion and Refrigerated Truck
Recipient: Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County
Address of Recipient: 109 South Sharpsville, Suite A, Sharon, PA 16146
Amount: $450,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The current number of residents in Mercer County facing food insecurity is estimated to total 14,470 people. This need has led them to the Food Bank for assistance. In order to meet this every growing need, the Food Bank must increase its cold storage capabilities and have adequate means of transportation to procure and distribute this food to our neighbors.

Project: Hermitage Police Department – Police Vehicles
Recipient: City of Hermitage
Address of Recipient: 800 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
Amount: $312,000
Benefits/Justification of Taxpayer Funds: The Department is in need of new, reliable police cruisers for its detectives and administrators, to be used in the performance of their police duties. The current vehicles are unreliable and costly to maintain given that they have been operated under relatively extreme conditions. The new vehicles will enhance the ability of the Hermitage Police Department to investigate and prosecute crimes, as well as prevent criminal activity.

BACKGROUND

Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, resumed in 2021 with increased transparency and stricter guidelines. Details on the guidelines can be found here. Rep. Kelly returned more than $8 million in CPF funding in the 2022 budget, and nearly $25 million in the 2023 budget.

As part of their national platform to lower federal spending, House Republicans reduced the number of federal dollars appropriated for House earmarks. For 2024, the total sum of earmarks in the House will not exceed one-half of 1 percent of discretionary spending.

In addition to reduced funding, there are several other new requirements. House members must:

• Identify a federal "nexus" for their requested projects
• Cite a specific section of the U.S. Code that supports the project
• Provide an explanation as to why it is a good use of taxpayer dollars, and
• Not make requests for "memorials, museums, and commemoratives (i.e., projects named for an individual or entity)