Federal funding contained in Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously approved federal funding for several projects throughout Pennsylvania. The funding is contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction Appropriations Bill and must be approved by the House and signed by the President before funding is final.
Senators Specter and Casey secured $12.4 million for the Air Reserve Base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The funding will cover the demolition of two outdated Visiting Airmen Quarters and the construction of a new 3-story, 60-room Visiting Quarters facility to support members of the 911th Airlift Wing, which includes approximately 1,220 Air Force Reservists and 320 civilians. The existing lodging facilities, build of wood in 1952, do not meet current space, fire protection, or force protection standards and drain the maintenance budget by requiring excessive repairs.
The remainder of the Pennsylvania projects included in the bill were listed in the President’s budget request to Congress.
“I am pleased that my colleagues have recognized the valuable contribution these projects will make to our nation’s defense,” said Senator Specter. “The construction and renovation of facilities that support our active and reserve military forces will strengthen our economy and honor the brave men and women who serve our country.”
“These projects are vital to Pennsylvania’s economic development and the overall security of the United States,” Senator Casey said. “I am pleased my colleagues have approved this important funding to improve Pennsylvania’s military projects and strengthen our nation’s defense.”
In addition to the funding for the Air Reserve Base in Pittsburgh, the bill includes funding for the following Pennsylvania projects, as requested by the President:
• $2.859 million to replace 6 family housing units at the Defense Distribution Depot in New Cumberland (Cumberland County).
• $15 million to construct an Armed Forces Reserve Center in Allentown (Lehigh County).
• $3.2 million for an Electronics Maintenance Shop at Tobyhanna Army Depot (Monroe County).
• $4 million to establish an Air Force enclave at Willow Grove (Montgomery County).
• $9.8 million to build an Army Reserve Center in Ashley (Luzerne County).
• $7.6 million to build an Army Reserve Center in Harrisburg (Dauphin County).
• $20 million to build an Army Reserve Center in Newton Square (Delaware County).
• $11.8 million to build an Army Reserve Center in Uniontown (Fayette County).
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