Local Share Account (LSA)- Statewide program Archives

Senator Santarsiero and Rep. Warren Announce $2 Million in Funding for Newtown and Lower Makefield Projects

October 22, 2024

BUCKS COUNTY − October 22, 2024 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced today $2,027,371 in state funding for three community improvement projects in Newtown Township and Lower Makefield Townships.

The three awards are as follows:

Holy Family University: $200,000 for Newtown Campus West facility improvements,
Lower Makefield Township: $827,392 for Tub Grinder equipment replacement, and
Newtown Township: $999,979 for construction of a pedestrian bridge across Newtown Creek.

Holy Family University will use the funding to renovate the Newtown West building located at 33 Campus Drive in Newtown. The renovations will provide space for university programs, as well as the Pennsylvania Biotech Center, Startup Bucks and the Bucks Industrial Development Authority.

“The expansion of the Holy Family campus in Newtown will provide additional space to offer quality education for its students, as well as an opportunity to expand the biotech incubator footprint across our county,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Cross-collaborative projects like this will continue to grow our region as a biotech destination while exposing students to cutting-edge fields and opportunities.”

“We are fortunate to have the Holy Family campus in and serving our community, and this state grant helps fund a project that will benefit Holy Family students and our local economic development organizations,” said Rep. Warren.

“Thank you to Senator Steve Santarsiero and Representative Perry Warren for this funding,” said Dr. Anne Prisco, President of Holy Family University. “Newtown West is going to be groundbreaking for Holy Family University, Newtown, and Bucks County. The new campus will bring together innovation, biotech, nursing, cybersecurity, and business entrepreneurship into one space. Thank you to Bucks County Industrial Development Authority and PA BioTech Center for being valued partners in this endeavor.”

Lower Makefield Township will replace the Tub Grinder the municipality uses for its yard waste recycling program. The current machine dates back to 1997 and is reaching the end of its useful life.

“As a former Lower Makefield Township Supervisor, I know the challenging of balancing costs for programs with limited funding,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I am happy to support state investments like this, that help municipalities offer these services without adding to the stress of tight budgets.”

Rep. Warren added, “Truth be told, when the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors applied and asked for my support of a state grant for this project I had to look up ‘tub grinder’ on the internet. It is a critical piece of infrastructure equipment, and the Board’s successful pursuit of this state grant reduces the cost for local taxpayers while boosting the local economy.”

Newtown Township, in cooperation with Newtown Borough will build a new pedestrian bridge over the Newtown Creek, bridging the two municipalities at North Sycamore Street at Durham Road in Newtown Township and Frost Lane in Newtown Borough. This bridge will serve as a connection on an existing trail network.

“The addition of a pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek will not only bridge two municipalities together, but will improve our local and regional trail connectivity,” said Senator Santarsiero.

“The Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge is near and dear to my heart,” said Rep. Warren. “This bridge will connect communities, both physically and metaphorically, as Newtown Borough residents and Newtown Township residents on ‘the other side of the creek’ will have safe pedestrian access to the Sycamore Street commercial and business district, and all residents will have another recreational area to enjoy. Thank you to the Newtown Creek Coalition for its vision for this project and its effort in moving it toward fruition.”

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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Senator Santarsiero and Rep. Brennan Announce $1.6 Million for Area Improvement Projects

October 22, 2024

BUCKS COUNTY − October 22, 2024 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) along with Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) announced today $1,624,778 in state funding awards for four projects throughout their shared district.

The awards are as follows:

Peace Valley Holistic Center: $597,516 for farmhouse rehabilitation;
Mercer Museum: $406,226 for elevator modernization,
Bucks County Housing Development Corporation (via Bucks County Industrial Development Authority): $100,000 for roof repair at New Hope Manor; and
Solebury Township: $521,036 for traffic signal improvements on Lower York Road.

The Peace Valley Holistic Center, located in Chalfont Borough, will be rehabilitating the Center’s Old Stone Farmhouse that will be used as a learning-based life skills retreat for special needs families.

“The project at Peace Valley Holistic Center will provide a respite for special needs families,” said Senator Santarsiero. “The life skills workshops, including parent and youth cooking programs, will help teach life-long healthy habits in a safe and inclusive space.”

The Mercer Museum, in partnership with Doylestown Borough and the Bucks County Historical Society will use the funding to modernize the museum’s lone elevator. Dating back to 1976, the elevator provides the only access for guests with mobility challenges to access the core exhibition space.

“The Mercer Museum is a cultural and historic gem in our community, and I enthusiastically supported these funds to help improve accessibility to the museum by modernizing the elevator,” said Senator Santarsiero.

Bucks County Housing Development Corporation will provide assistance to New Hope Manor, the affordable 55 and older independent living community, using the funding for a new roof at the apartment complex.

“Bucks County Housing Development Corporation does great work providing critically needed affordable housing to low and moderate seniors in our community,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I’m pleased to support these funds to repair the roof at the New Hope Manor building to ensure its residents have a safe and warm place to call home.”

“These are critical state investments into our community’s public spaces, and will help keep them vibrant and strong,” said Rep. Brennan. “Preserving Bucks County’s rich history and thriving cultural institutions is vital to our continued growth, and these grants will make sure the Old Stone Farmhouse and Mercer Museum are safe and accessible for all to enjoy. The same goes for New Hope Manor and the seniors who call it home.”

Solebury Township will upgrade four existing traffic signals along Lower York Road at the intersections with Sugan Road, Kitchen Lane/Bridge Street, Shire Drive and Aquetong Road.

“The traffic signal upgrades in Solebury township will improve reliability and safety for both everyday use and in emergency response situations, benefitting drivers, pedestrians and our first responders,” said Senator Santarsiero.

Rep. Brennan added, “These upgrades are bringing the latest traffic safety technology to one of Solebury’s busiest intersections. Sen. Santarsiero and I will continue to be persistent in our efforts to secure state funding for these projects, especially when it comes to improving our first responders’ ability to respond to emergencies and making sure public infrastructure can withstand changing weather patterns.”

Additional information about the Local Share Account- Statewide program can be found on the DCED website.

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