November 14, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY – November 14, 2019 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of $152,800 in grant funding through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Community Parks and Recreation Grant program for New Britain Civic Association and Sellersville Borough for improvements to Covered Bridge and Lenape Parks.
New Britain Civic Association was awarded $30,300 to prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 14-acre Covered Bridge Park in New Britain Borough and the abutting 5.8-acre Orchard Park in Doylestown Township.
Sellersville Borough was awarded $122,500 for the rehabilitation of Lenape Park. Work will include the renovation of pedestrian walkways and parking area, construction of stormwater management measures, installation of fencing, accessibility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landscaping, project signage, and related site improvements.
“The vital, often overlooked, work being done by municipalities and non-profits, like Sellersville Borough and the New Britain Civic Association, to maintain and improve our local parks is a testament to their commitment to building a more vibrant community for all,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “These projects will improve park safety and accessibility so that residents can enjoy all the recreational amenities offered.”
“Covered Bridge Park is such a beautiful location and this grant will help to make an already wonderful place into yet another shining spot in New Britain for our families to enjoy,” said Rep. Polinchock (R-144), who represents New Britain.
“As President of the New Britain Civic Association, I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the DCNR Grant Process,” said David Holewinski, who also serves as Mayor of New Britain Borough. “This Grant will allow the Civic Association to move forward with the Master Site Development Plan and continue to improve the family gathering destination and the recreation facilities at Covered Bridge Park which provides both to New Britain Borough and the surrounding communities.
“This grant will be a great help to the efforts of the Borough to design a long-term vision for Orchard Park and to work in harmony with the New Britain Civic Association to ensure optimal and complementary use of Covered Bridge Park and Orchard Park,” said Samantha Bryant, Manager for New Britain Borough. “Providing well designed spaces for passive and active recreation for our residents and the surrounding community is important to New Britain Borough, which this grant will help advance.”
“Sellersville Borough is pleased to be receiving this $122,500 DCNR grant, which will enable us to make needed repairs to our Lake Lenape hike and bike trail,” said David Rivet, Manager for Sellersville Borough. “This trail connects to the trail in neighboring Perkasie Borough and is heavily used by residents of both boroughs as well as visitors. The handicapped accessibility improvements included in the project will expand the park’s usage allowing for more people to enjoy its scenic beauty. Improved stormwater management measures will decrease the amount of time it takes for the water to leave the trail after a high water event. Construction will take place in 2020.
“Sellersville Borough would like to thank State Senator Steve Santarsiero and Representative Craig Staats as well as the staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their support in making this grant a reality.”
The Community Parks and Recreation Grants, which are administered by the DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC), provide funding and technical assistance support for local recreation and park improvement projects. To learn more about Community Parks and Recreation Grants, visit the DCNR website.
###
November 12, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY – November 12, 2019 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of nearly $2 million in targeted state funding to bolster economic development and to improve pedestrian safety.
The funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnership Program Grant will go to critical projects in Dublin Town Center, Provco Pineville Doylestown, Newtown Township, Morrisville Borough, and Yardley Borough.
Dublin Town Center was awarded $700,000 for the Dublin Town Center Main Street Traffic, Roadway & Pedestrian Improvements Project.
Provco Pineville Doylestown was awarded $500,000 for a roadway in Buckingham Township in the Cross Keys area.
Newtown Township was awarded $125,000 and $250,000 for the Lower Dolington Road Multi-Use Trail through CFA’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program Grant, respectively. The funding will be used for stormwater management measures, intersection improvements and fencing, renovations for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements.
Morrisville Borough was awarded $100,000 for ADA curb ramp accessibility improvements.
Yardley Borough was awarded $125,000 for the second phase of the North Main Street Sidewalk Project.
“The funding for these infrastructure projects will advance public safety and drive economic growth,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “As these projects begin to take shape, residents, businesses, and commuters alike will experience the improvements to our thriving community.”
“Each of these grants will make major construction projects possible in our community, allowing local municipalities to improve the safety and accessibility in our neighborhoods,” Rep. Warren said. “We will enjoy the direct benefit of state dollars here at home improving our hometowns and helping protect pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“We’re thrilled, of course, to receive news of this grant award. This fits perfectly with our on-going strategy to make Morrisville Borough more friendly for pedestrians,” said Scott Mitchell, Manager for Morrisville Borough. “It is also an important public safety issue since Morrisville school students are all walkers. Funding for these ADA curb ramps will go a long way to advance our road paving plans.”
“Buckingham Township is excited to learn of the DCED Multimodal Fund Grant Award for the construction of a connector road and other traffic improvements that will improve safety and help revitalize the Cross Keys area,” said Dana Cozza, Manager for Buckingham Township.
“Dublin Borough is grateful to have the Dublin Town Center mixed use development project that will develop over 17 acres in the Borough,” said Angela Benner, Manager for Dublin Borough. “The project includes 78 Townhomes, a 15,000 square foot mixed use building, a 14,830 square foot community health care building and the adaptive reuse of Bishops Garage, the Diner and the TEC Building. The project also includes improvements to Main Street and Elephant Road as well as the installation of a comprehensive road. The developer has been working with the Borough over the past three years to ensure that the project would meet the Borough’s Revitalization and Visioning Plan. We are looking forward to this project bringing new life and business to the Borough.”
“I’m excited for Yardley Borough to receive this grant toward the completion of the North Main Street Sidewalk,” said David Bria, Councilman for Yardley Borough. “Ensuring safe pedestrian access to our downtown area is one of Council’s top priorities, and this opportunity will help bring us one step closer. Thank you to Senator Santarsiero for his work in helping secure this funding.”
The MTF, established by Act 89 of 2013, funds several types of improvement projects, including roads, walking and bike trails, railways, traffic safety, public transportation, and air transport. To learn more about the MTF, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s website.
The Community Conservation Partnership Program Grant program, which is administered by the DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC), assists local governments and recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to parks, recreation, and conservation. To learn more about the Community Conservation Partnership Program Grant program, visit the DCNR website.
###
October 17, 2019
HARRISBURG − October 17, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representatives Perry Warren (D-31) and John Galloway (D-140) announced the award of a Keystone Grant totaling $52,500 to Morrisville Free Library for the replacement of the slate roof of the library’s 108-year-old building.
“With this generous grant, Morrisville Free Library can continue to provide invaluable resources to our community,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “For decades, Morrisville Free Library has taught our children the joy of reading, provided students with the tools necessary to learn, and has hosted countless events for children, seniors, businesses, and community groups.”
“Libraries in our community offer an invaluable service as free learning centers to preschoolers, students, adults and seniors,” said Rep. Warren. “In other words, everyone in the community benefits from a strong library system. We’re fortunate enough to live in a community where we have one, a place where the only thing you need to pursue knowledge is a desire to learn and a free library card.”
“I’m glad to see the Morrisville Free Library will be receiving some much-needed upgrades,” said Rep. Galloway. “This has been a long-standing establishment in our community, and I’m confident that these funds will ensure its continued prosperity as a place to learn and gather.”
Morrisville Free Library is one of 19 public libraries across 12 counties in Pennsylvania that have been awarded $3.25 million in Keystone Grants to use toward improving physical facilities. Keystone Grants are funded through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program. Grants of up to $750,000 may be used for planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar.
For more information on Keystone Library Grants and the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, please visit the State Library of Pennsylvania’s website.
###
September 12, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY – September 12, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of over two and half million dollars in state grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for A Woman’s Place and Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), two Bucks County-based organizations that serve vulnerable and underserved victims.
“Whether pursing justice or seeking treatment, these Bucks County organizations provide victims with invaluable services and trusted support,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “With these grants, the vital work being done to make our community a safer place to raise a family will be greatly enhanced.”
The following PCCD grants were awarded:
VSAC – 2019/2020 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding – Competitive Extension:
A Woman’s Place
Project Description: VOCA Competitive Extension
Funding: $ 300,000
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Project Description: Enhancing Services to Underserved Victims
Funding: $ 263,253
VSAC – 2019-2021 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding – Non-Competitive:
A Woman’s Place
Project Description: Expansion of First Response Program
Funding: $ 300,631
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Project Description: Non-competitive victims of crime 2019-2021
Funding: $ 551,087
VSAC – 2019-2021 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funding – Competitive:
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA)
Project Description: Competitive Victims of Crime 2019-2021
Funding: $ 1,148,827
Project Description: Keystone Crisis Intervention Team Project
Funding: $ 200,960
To learn more about PCCD grants, visit their website here.
###
January 18, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY – January 18, 2019 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero, minority chair of the senate Communications and Technology committee, announced the award of computer science grant funding for Council Rock, Central Bucks, and Pennridge school districts.
Each district will receive $35,000 to fund high-quality computer science and STEM education in elementary, middle, and high schools, and professional development for teachers. The grants specifically aim to prepare students and workers for an economy that requires proficiency in using computers and other technologies.
“These grants are the first step in ensuring schools in Bucks County and across the Commonwealth stay competitive in the fields of computer science and STEM education,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “My hope is to be able to expand such grant programs across the district, so all students and teachers can lead the way towards a new and innovative educational system and economy.”
The grants were fully funded through Governor Wolf’s PAsmart initiative.
###
