E-news Updates - December 22, 2023

In this Update:

Over $3.6 Million in Grants Announced for Local Projects
New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation
Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans
Drive Safely During Inclement Weather
Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Over $3.6 Million in Grants Announced for Local Projects

I’m pleased to announce $3.6 million in grants were awarded for local projects in our community. The approved funding will enhance our infrastructure’s reliability and support necessary project upgrades and I’m proud to have worked with our local municipalities and their authorities.

Three projects were funded through the Commonwealth Financing Agency’s (CFA) COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program (H2O PA). The H2O PA program provides for single-year and multi-year grants for the construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects; the construction or renovation of flood control projects; and the repair or rehabilitation of high-hazard unsafe dams. The approved projects include:

$912,000 for the construction to retrofit the Tennyson and Whittier basins located in Warminster Township.
$744,000 for the construction of a stormwater management system in Middletown Township.
$300,000 to improve the existing stormwater management systems in two locations in Langhorne Manor Borough.

Seven projects were funded through the CFA’s COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Program (SWS). The SWS Program provides grants for small water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure projects.

$422,301 for the Greeley Avenue Storm Sewer project in Ivyland Borough.
$315,000 for stormwater detention basin upgrades in Northampton Township.
$240,862 to replace water main plug valves with new gate valves throughout Upper Southampton Township.
$236,750 for the repair of the Stover Mill Basin located in Warwick Township.
$171,162 to rehabilitate the Pumping Station C existing force main along Delwhite Drive located in Lower Southampton Township.
$136,187 to assist with sanitary sewer interceptor rehabilitation located in Penndel Borough.
$120,400 to install a permanent backup generator at North Wales Water Authority’s disaster recovery facility in Warrington Township.

Two projects were funded through the CFA’s COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program, which was created to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts and arts and culture professionals located in the Commonwealth to ensure the stability and recovery of the Commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic. The approved projects include:

$28,091 for operating costs for the History Museum or Historical Site in Bensalem Township.
$10,000 for operating expenses for the Arts Organizations in Middletown Township.

New Law Gives Young Adults Strong Financial Literacy Foundation

Legislation to provide students with basic money management skills was recently signed into law. Specifically, it requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school.

Recent estimates calculate there are more than 350 million American-owned credit card accounts, and, on average, credit card owners have about four cards apiece. Families in the United States are approaching approximately $1 trillion dollars in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion dollars in debt overall.

The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

Sharing the Holiday Spirit with PA Veterans

If you would like to support our veterans and military families this holiday season, making a monetary donation goes a long way toward helping the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs provide members, veterans and their families with essential programs and services that would not be available otherwise.

Donations can be made by mail or online. They are tax-deductible, and gifts of any amount are appreciated. Learn more about making a donation.

Driving Safely During Inclement Weather

Pennsylvania has nearly 40,000 miles of roads – which translates to 96,000 snow-lane miles – that must be maintained during inclement weather so people can travel safely.

The approximately 2,200 PennDOT-owned and rented plow trucks have in-truck technology that logs and shares data in real time so the public can monitor the routes of their interstate and expressway travels on www.511PA.com.

Of course, drivers should avoid the roads until they have been cleared, if possible. Anyone who must travel is urged to use extra caution by slowing down, increasing their following distance and avoiding distractions. Read more winter driving tips here.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

This holiday season, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the real gifts of love, peace and happiness.

My district office hours may be limited due to the holidays. Please call ahead to be sure my office is open.

Also, PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on Dec. 23 and 25 for Christmas, and on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

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