Liberty Twp. Gets Grant for Water, Sewer Services

HARRISBURG – The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has awarded a $1.54 million grant to Liberty Township, McKean County, for much-needed infrastructure improvements that will help promote job growth in the area, Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Brockway) and Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced today.

Specifically, the grant will help fund the extension of sewer and water services from Port Allegany Borough to portions of Liberty Township, including the Portage Industrial Park and surrounding residential and commercial properties. It also will support replacement of existing infrastructure in Port Allegany to increase capacity at the borough’s treatment plant.

“This grant not only helps fulfill a current need in the community but also makes an important investment in our future,” Causer said. “We cannot grow and expand job opportunities for our citizens without the necessary infrastructure. I commend the local officials and business leaders who saw this need and worked together to get the funding necessary to make this project happen.”

“I’m very pleased that McKean County is receiving state funding for these important infrastructure improvements, which will help make needed upgrades to better serve local families and businesses,” Scarnati stated. “This substantial investment will help to strengthen the region through providing for crucial updates that will aid with protecting our local water supplies and public health, while also increasing job opportunities within our community.”

The lawmakers praised Liberty Township and Port Allegany Borough officials, as well as the McKean County commissioners and local business leaders for their joint effort to boost economic growth in the region. Development resulting from the project is expected to create approximately 25 new jobs, retain 23 existing jobs and attract as much as $2.2 million in private investment to the project site within five years. The project also will help both municipalities comply with Act 537 sewage requirements from the Department of Environmental Protection.

The total estimated cost of the project is $2.05 million with the impacted municipalities and businesses making up the difference between the grant and the actual project cost. Construction will likely begin this summer.

The grant was awarded through the Pennsylvania First Program, a comprehensive funding tool to facilitate increased investment and job creation in the Commonwealth. The program provides grants or loans to invest in infrastructure, equipment, land and building improvements, site preparation, equipment and more.

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