BUCKS COUNTY – September 15, 2026 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) along with Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced today $1,490,000 in state funding:
- $200,000 for Lower Makefield Township for the 9/11 Garden of Reflection Renewal Project
- $940,000 for Newtown Fire Association for a ladder truck
- $350,000 for Yardley Borough for the restoration of Yardley Borough Hall
The Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial serves as a local space for reflection to remember and honor the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11, including 18 residents of Bucks County. After its dedication nearly 20 years ago, the Memorial needs accessibility upgrades and visual improvements. The renovations will include lighting replacements, repairs of uneven walkways and benches, signage and landscaping enhancements, and the restoration of the stonework and fountain pump, which is the focal point of the Memorial.
“This September marks 25 years since the tragic events of 9/11,” said Senator Santarsiero. “These improvements to the Garden of Reflection 9/11 Memorial are crucial to honor the many lives lost, including 18 from Bucks County, and provide the community with a place to reflect on that day and remember our loved ones. This investment will ensure the Memorial remains a beautiful space for the community to gather and remember that fateful day.”
“Last week people from throughout our communities, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and beyond gathered at the 9/11 Garden of Reflection on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” said Representative Warren. “Today, we announce the state local share account funding for restoration and improvement of The Official Pennsylvania Memorial to the Victims of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. This grant will help ensure that this treasured memorial and park continues to be a place of rest, recreation and remembrance for many years to come.”
The Newtown Fire Company will receive funding to purchase a new ladder truck for use across Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. This apparatus includes updated technology and safety features to enhance both services and firefighter safety to best serve the community.
“Our firefighters shouldn’t need to face unnecessary dangers to their health and safety when they already put their lives on the line to protect our community,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Our firefighters are frontline heroes, and I am proud that this investment will prioritize their safety when responding to emergency situations.”
“The Newtown Fire Association traces its history of service to Newtown to over 200 years ago,” said Representative Warren. “This state local share account grant will help NFA move ahead well into the 21st Century with a new, modern, state-of-the-art ladder truck, to continue to protect and serve our community.”
Yardley Borough is receiving funds for the restoration of the borough hall located in Yardley Borough, Bucks County. The borough hall building was built in 1916, and in 1972 when the fire department moved out, the first floor was retrofitted into office spaces for the staff, police, and elected officials. Due to the age of the building, structural repairs, accessibility upgrades, HVAC replacement, and interior modernization improvements are needed for the integrity and structure of the building. Those improvements include waterproofing the basement wall, replacing the windows and doors, installing lighting along walking paths, roof drainage extensions, full depth restoration and grading in the parking lot, replacing the HVAC system, and interior modernization.
“Our local municipalities are hard at work doing the day-to-day work of maintaining our communities, and it’s important that they can do that in a safe and up-to-date facility,” said Senator Santarsiero.” Yardley Borough Hall has served the community for more than a century, and these improvements will help ensure the building remains an accessible and functional home for borough government for years to come. I’m proud to support this investment in Yardley and help our local officials continue providing the services their residents rely on.”
“Local government serves as the grass roots foundation of our democratic system of government, and our borough hall and township buildings are not only the seats of government, but also are gathering places and symbols of our boroughs and towns,” said Representative Warren. “This state local share account grant helps fund the improvement of Yardley Borough Hall, which sits at the center of Yardley Borough, both physically and metaphorically, and serves as a symbol of Yardley Borough and the home of representative government in Yardley.”
Administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Local Share Account (LSA)- Statewide program allocates gaming revenue through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the Commonwealth.
Additional information about the Local Share Account- Statewide program can be found on the DCED website.
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