Omnibus spending package contains funding for key local community initiatives
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the U.S. Congress has approved federal funding for a number of projects in Central Pennsylvania. The projects are part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, a measure which contains funding for several federal agencies, as well as for local transportation, housing, health, education and law enforcement programs.
“This funding will help improve our roadways, schools, hospitals, as well as prevent crime and develop our workforce and small businesses,” said Senator Specter. “I am pleased to see this funding work to advance the important infrastructures that make our local communities run.”
“This money is great news for Central Pennsylvania and I am pleased Congress approved this funding,” said Senator Casey. “I will continue working with Senator Specter and the rest of the Pennsylvania delegation to create jobs and promote economic growth by supporting necessary transportation investments, quality health care, education and financial services initiatives, enhanced safety and law enforcement programs and a strong national defense.”
The Senate voted to pass the bill on Sunday 57-39, and the House of Representatives approved the measure on Thursday. The Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations act will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.
Regional projects in the bill, listed by topic, include:
*If a Congressperson also supported a project, his/her name is listed
Transportation
• $750,000 to implement safety improvements on U.S. Route 322 in Centre County. (Specter-Casey; Thompson)
• $360,000 for Area Transportation Authority of North Central PA to replace public transit vehicles in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter Counties. (Specter; Thompson)
• $300,000 for the Centre Area Transportation Authority to purchase compressed natural gas powered articulated transit buses Centre County. (Specter; Thompson)
Housing and Urban Development
• $293,500 for Blair County for acquisition, demolition, and site preparation within Blair County’s blighted urban core areas, including downtown Altoona. (Casey-Specter)
Workforce Training
• $250,000 for Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Centre County to develop a workforce training program to meet the regional needs for a trained workforce in fields related to clean water (water/wastewater management), renewable energy (wind), traditional energy (gas, oil, Marcellus shale) and safety. (Specter; Thompson)
• $100,000 for Wrightco Educational Foundation in Cambria County for job training in the communication and security industries. (Specter)
Health and Human Services
• $150,000 for Mount Nittany Medical Center in Centre County for facilities and equipment. This will be used to expand the hospital's East Wing as well as upgrade medical equipment in patient rooms. The project will help to respond to increasing demand on the facilities.
• $100,000 for Altoona Regional Health System in Blair County for equipment. Funds will be used for digital mammography equipment in the breast imaging center. (Specter-Casey; Thompson)
• $100,000 for American Prosthodontic Society Foundation in Clearfield County for scholarships and program costs related to training in prosthetic dentistry and clinical prosthodontics. Scholarships will encourage students to enter the field of prosthodontics, thereby increasing the availability of skilled professionals throughout the U.S., including rural areas. (Specter)
• $100,000 for Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Potter County for facilities and equipment. The hospital plans to expand and renovate the Emergency Department, including a remodeled trauma room, secure psychiatric room, new triage room and additional specialty treatment rooms. (Specter)
• $100,000 for Elk Regional Health Center in Elk County for equipment. Funds will be used to purchase digital mammography equipment to provide women with access to mammograms. (Specter-Casey)
• $100,000 for Fulton County Medical Center in Fulton County for equipment. Funds will be used for an MRI upgrade, mammography equipment, and cardiology equipment to provide access to critical health services. (Specter)
• $100,000 for Pennsylvania State University in Centre County for evidence-based prevention programs in schools and communities to reduce youth substance abuse. The Promoting School-Community-University-Partnerships to Encourage Resilience (PROSPER) program will be implemented in Potter County with the goal of strengthening families, building youth skills, and reducing youth substance use, as well as other problem behaviors. (Specter)
• $100,000 for Tyrone Hospital in Blair County for equipment. Funds will be used to replace and upgrade medical monitoring systems for the ICCU/Telemetry, Emergency Room and Recovery Room. (Specter)
• $100,000 for Dubois Regional Medical Center in Clearfield County for facilities and equipment. (Casey; Thompson)
Criminal Justice
• $500,000 for Centre County for emergency communications system upgrades which will improve safety for citizens of the county and allow for interoperability among multiple agencies. (Casey-Specter; Thompson)
• $100,000 for Somerset County for Somerset County Communication Tower to support a county-wide communications systems upgrade to enhance emergency responder services. (Specter; Shuster)
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