Mar. 17, 2023
HARRISBURG – A project to enhance Export Borough’s downtown area is receiving nearly $500,000 from the Commonwealth Finance Authority, Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland), Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) and Export Mayor Joe Zaccagnini announced today.
The $485,391 Local Share Account (LSA) grant is being awarded to the borough for the Heritage Square Project, which aims to enhance Export’s business district by unifying the downtown area into a central community gathering space. The proposal includes establishing paved and marked drive aisles to create traffic patterns for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Also, a paved parking area will replace an existing gravel parking area and define 72 parking stalls to serve the business district, bus stop commuters and patrons of the expanding Westmoreland Heritage Trail, making Export a “must stop” for trail users.
“This type of investment will pay dividends into the future in terms of economic growth for every business owner and resident in Export,” said Cooper. “A downtown enhancement project like this solidifies Export as a destination point and sends the message its retailers are open for business.”
“Community and economic development go hand-in-hand,” said Sen. Kim Ward. “The funding announced for this project will help strengthen our local economy through job creation, advance our regional efforts to attract and grow businesses, while also improving the quality of life for our residents.”
“Export has been blessed with a great council that has really worked hard for this,” said Zaccagnini. “This is part of an overall project that started with local fundraising that came from residents and businesses. It seem like all of us, residents, businesses and council, we have all been baking a cake, and this is some really good icing – it’s a beautiful gift.”
Local Share Account grants support economic development, job training, community improvement and public interest projects through gaming funds the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004).
Additional grants to municipalities in the 55th Legislative District include:
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City of Arnold – $693,026, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), to improve roadways within the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park.
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City of Arnold - $12,041, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), for repairs or replacement of the Arnold City Hall roof.
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City of Arnold - $60,000, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), for the purchase of a new dump truck and plow.
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Derry Township Volunteer Fire Department - $35,000, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana) and Rep. Leslie Rossi (R-Westmoreland), to purchase of two inflatable river rescue boats.
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Borough of Export - $94,191, in cooperation with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), to replace a 12-year-old maintenance truck.
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Loyalhanna Township - $99,980, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), to replace a 2008 backhoe loader.
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Loyalhanna Township - $10,000, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), for the purchase of a new skid steer loader.
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City of New Kensington Fire Companies - $80,270, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), for the repair of roofs at Company No. 1 and Company No. 5
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City of New Kensington - $11,830, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), for the purchase of two radar speed signs.
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Borough of Oklahoma - $3,000, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), to purchase and install new street signs.
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Salem Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 - $10,000, in cooperation with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), to purchase and install a generator at the fire company's building, so it can be used as a warming station or emergency shelter.
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Sardis Volunteer Fire Company - $153,488, in cooperation with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), for the construction of an addition to Sardis Volunteer Fire Company's building for a larger training room.
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Washington Township - $20,000, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), to replace unfunctional laptops and printers in police vehicles.
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Washington Township - $6,250, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana), to upgrade Elbert N. Kunkle Park.
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724-875-8450
RepJillCooper.com /
Facebook.com/RepJillCooper
Senator Kim Ward
Senate President Pro Tempore
39th Senatorial District
Pennsylvania Senate
Media Contact: Erica Clayton Wright
412-334-4856
SenatorWard.com