State Representative Jack Rader announced that nearly $2.2 million in state grants have been awarded for projects in the 176th Legislative District. The funding will support two school energy-saving initiatives and repairs to a historic bridge.
The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority received $750,975 for renovations of the Stone Arch Bridge in Eldred Township. Pleasant Valley School District was granted $1 million to replace the HVAC system, exterior windows, and lighting at its high school. Pocono Mountain School District obtained $416,250 to upgrade old water heating systems at several schools.
Rader highlighted the significance of the Stone Arch Bridge: “Built in the 1860s, the Stone Arch Bridge still marks the center of the village of Kunkletown and serves as a gathering place,” he said. “The hope is that it will become the heart of a larger business district in the future.”
Funding for the bridge project comes from the Local Share Account program, which allocates gaming revenue funds for community and economic development.
Regarding school improvements, Rader stated: “The focus of the school projects is to upgrade existing building systems that are in very poor condition and provide an efficient solution for the needs of students, faculty and staff, while saving money for district taxpayers.”
These educational grants were distributed through Pennsylvania’s Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program. Approval came from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, responsible for overseeing funding programs aimed at economic growth within Pennsylvania.
