Updated Dec. 26, 2023.
Centre County water and sewer infrastructure improvement projects will receive nearly $5.5 million in state funding, the Department of Community and Economic Development announced this week.
Six municipalities and authorities were awarded 11 grants this week from the PA Small Water and Sewer Program and H20 PA, both of which are funded from American Rescue Plan Act money and administered by the Commonwealth Finance Authority. A total of $320 million was allocated from the programs statewide statewide.
STATE COLLEGE
State College Borough was the biggest local beneficiary, receiving three grants totaling $2.75 million to replace aging water, sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure on Calder Way, the first stage of a project that will transform the road into a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly corridor.
State Reps. Paul Takac, D-College Township, and Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, who both represent the borough, worked together to help secure the grants.
“The Calder Way Project is truly a centerpiece of the State College Downtown Master Plan,” Takac said in a statement. “But before the streetscape transformation can begin, underground upgrades and repairs of the stormwater, sewer, and water supply infrastructure have to be completed.”
Utility replacement and relocation will eventually span the length of Calder Way. The $6.6 million first phase of the multi-year project, which previously received a $2.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority , is slated to begin in 2024 and take place between South Fraser and McAllister streets. It will also include replacement of gas main lines and providing provisions for electric and telecommunications lines to be moved underground.
Work was originally scheduled to begin in summer 2023 but because of material procurement delays was pushed back to avoid impact on residents, businesses and visitors during the fall. Exploratory excavation that started in August will resume Jan. 2-4, according to a borough notice on Thursday.
“The Borough of State College and all of those who work and visit here will benefit greatly from the funding for construction in Calder Way,” Mayor Ezra Nanes said. “Aging sanitary sewer lines along Calder Way will be replaced, which will prevent potential backups and capacity issues with the system, stormwater lines currently existing on Calder Way will be replaced and upgraded in some segments, allowing for an increase in capacity to convey stormwater in one of the borough’s lowest-lying areas, and planned water line replacement will upgrade existing facilities and help prevent future water main breaks.”
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP WATER AUTHORITY
The College Township Water Authority will receive two grants totaling $1.359 million. A $1.15 million grant will support construction of a potable water well in Oak Hall, and $208,675 will go toward replacing the waterline on 1st Avenue in Lemont.
“These grant funds will support two major water infrastructure projects that will directly benefit customers in the Villages of Oak Hall and Lemont,” Martin McGann, College Township Water Authority chairman, said. “Through the CFA’s financial support, the authority will be able to continue providing its customers with excellent water quality and a superior level of service while also maintaining reasonable billing rates.”
Takac said the projects are much-needed.
“As a resident and a former member of College Township Council I know and appreciate the importance of investing in basic infrastructure such as water systems,” Takac said. “Over many years, the team at the College Township Water Authority have provided outstanding service to customers and been diligent in not only maintaining existing facilities but also planning for future needs.”
MOUNTAINTOP AREA
Two grants totaling $291,389 will support sewer and water projects in the Mountaintop area.
The Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority will receive $212,500 to upgrade the wastewater treatment system in Snow Shoe Township.
“As a small authority, we have been struggling for a good bit of time to figure out where and how to cut costs so that we can afford to make the upgrades and repairs we need on our system,” Katie Cramer, Mountaintop Area Municipal Authority board member, said. “Receiving this grant from the commonwealth with the help of Rep. Takac is a great relief to the authority and will help us to better serve our community and customers in the future.”
The Mountaintop Region Water Authority will receive $78,889 for material and equipment procurement to improve the water distribution system in Snow Shoe Borough.
Takac and state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Pine Creek Township, worked together on the funding for the water authority.
MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY
The Mid-Centre County Authority (MCCA), which provides wastewater treatment primarily for the Upper Bald Eagle Valley, will receive two grants totaling $778,192.
A $559,534 grant will be used to rehabilitate a disk filter tank and disinfection system and install upgrades to the treatment plant in Boggs Township.
A $218,658 grant will go toward upgrades for pump station No. 1 at the plant.
BEECH CREEK BOROUGH AUTHORITY
The Beech Creek Borough Authority will receive $171,505 for extension of the Franklin Street waterline in Liberty Township.
Dush and Takac also worked together to secure the MCCA and Beech Creek awards.
“I’m glad Rep. Takac and I have been able to focus on the critical needs of our constituents instead of partisanship, and, again, work together to advocate for the people of Centre County,” Dush said. “The $2.5 million Rep. Takac and I have worked together to secure for projects in Centre County during this past year is the product of prioritizing infrastructure over politics. I’m thankful he and I have been able to serve the people of Centre County, and I look forward to building on the funding we’ve secured this year in 2024.”
PENN TOWNSHIP
Penn Township was awarded $135,731 for construction of a new water tank.
“Congratulations to the township’s board of supervisors for applying for this funding, which is competitive in nature and requires five affirmative votes from the seven board members,” state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said.
“This funding will cost-effectively meet the safe and reliable water supply needs for even more hard-working families and employers throughout Penn Township,” Dush added.
This story was updated to reflect funding for Penn Township.
