For Immediate Release
January 30, 2007
Contact:
Joe Pittman
(717) 787-8724
(724) 541-0552
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Local Public Works Project Receives $2.48m Grant

Sewage plant expansion will promote growth in Blairsville, Burrell Township

The Blairsville Municipal Authority, in cooperation and partnership with the Burrell Township Sewage Authority will receive a state grant totaling nearly $2.5 million to expand sewage service to accommodate growth in those areas, according to state Senator Don White and state Representative Dave Reed.

Funding totaling $2,488,956, provided by the Department of Community and Economic Development's PENNWORKS Program, will go toward expanding the existing sewage treatment plant by constructing an additional module to accommodate growth in the Blairsville Borough and Burrell Township regions of Indiana County.

"The on-going improvements to Routes 22 and 119 are making this area very attractive for development," said Senator White. "The success of the Corporate Campus, which is located in this area and benefits from being a Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zone, shows these investments provide real benefits in the form of new businesses and jobs. This substantial state investment toward upgrading the sewage system will make the area even more ideal for economic growth. There are already proposals on the board for residential properties, a recreational facility and a hotel in that area. Expanding the sewage facility is essential for those projects to move forward."

"We are optimistic that the new sewage facility will provide the necessary infrastructure improvements to spark additional economic development in Blairsville and Burrell Township, which should promote additional job creation opportunities," Representative Reed said.

The legislators commended the Indiana County Board of Commissioners, the Blairsville Borough Council and Burrell Township Board of Supervisors for their successful efforts to move the sewage plant expansion project forward.

The PENNWORKS Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructure Program provides grants of up to $5 million or 75 percent of total eligible costs, and loans of up to $5 million for water and sewer projects not used solely for residential purposes: Land and building acquisition; Demolition; Water/sewer project construction costs; Engineering and other fees associated with these projects.

Projects must serve a site or sites being prepared for economic development activities which involve the investment of capital in Pennsylvania enterprises and communities, or which results in the creation of new jobs or the preservation of existing jobs.

The sewage plant expansion is projected to serve 2,400 households/businesses and facilitate the creation of 150 to 200 jobs.

The $2.48 million is the third PENNWORKS grant awarded for projects in the Route 22 corridor area. The Burrell Township Sewage Authority received $1.05 million in PENNWOKS funding last year to expand service into the Shearwood Terrace Area. Additionally, in 2006 Indiana County received $1.8 million in PENNWORKS funding to expand water service in Burrell and West Wheatfield townships to accommodate economic growth along the Route 22 corridor.