WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $2,382,170 loan and a $200,000 grant to the Milton Public Library. Funds are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
“This funding is great news for the Milton Public Library,” said Senator Casey. “This funding will allow the Milton Public Library to acquire and renovate a new space in order to better serve the patrons in Northumberland County.”
“I’m pleased to see stimulus funds going to the Milton Public Library,” Senator Specter said. “The expansion and renovation that this funding supports will allow the library to better serve the Milton community.”
Federal funds will be used for library renovation, expansion and debt refinance. The Milton Public Library will acquire and renovate a building located at 541 Broadway Road, which will be used as the public library. Upon relocating, the library intends to expand its services, by utilizing the on-site additional building to rent as a community center, which will generate revenue. The new location will serve as a significantly greater community library and focal point to all patrons by having larger spaces, housing a local impressive historical research collection, abundant material and a dedicated space for genealogical research center.
Funding is part of $26.7 million in Recovery Act projects announced today and was awarded through the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include child care centers, hospitals, medical clinics, public libraries, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, public schools, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, the USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes.
More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov.
###
