$15.7 million in Community Project Funding requests, which includes a $4 million for volunteer fire departments and over $1 million for police departments in Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District have been secured. 

The funding was including in four spending bills to fund the federal government through September 30, 2024. 

The following projects will receive funding: 

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.

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.

Funding was also approved for projects in Lawrence and Butler County. 

Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, resumed in 2021 with increased transparency and stricter guidelines.