From staff reports
Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced the approval of a $92 million investment for 19 projects across the state through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVEST).
More than $3.2 million of that money will help two Clarion County municipalities – Clarion Borough and Hawthorn Borough – better manage stormwater and reduce flooding in their towns, said State Rep. Donna Oberlander and State Sen. Scott Hutchinson.
Clarion Borough’s financing includes a $684,000 loan with a 1 percent interest rate and a $1.2 million grant.
Hawthorn’s project – a $573,000 loan with 1 percent interest and a $756,611 grant – will help install nearly 6,500 feet of storm sewers of varying diameters. Additionally, 60 inlets and nine manholes will be installed, and grass swales will be placed above the majority of storm sewers to promote infiltration.
“In both Clarion and Hawthorn, heavy rainfalls have led to clogged storm drains, and even backups into homes and businesses,” said Oberlander, who is a member of the PennVEST board. “This funding – including both low-interest loans and grants – will enable both boroughs to install new storm water sewers, helping to reduce flooding, better manage storm water and not place the entire funding burden on citizens.”
“I commend Rep. Oberlander for championing these projects when they went before the board,” Hutchinson said. “PennVEST funding is vitally important for small communities like Clarion and Hawthorn. Ratepayers would face a heavy financial burden if they had to secure conventional financing for the entire cost of these projects,” Hutchinson added.
Oberlander said “both of the existing storm water systems in Clarion and Hawthorn are reaching the end of their lifespans, with Clarion’s built in the 1930s. I’m glad to see that state funding is being invested in our communities so that we can improve the infrastructure, reduce flooding and prevent property damage.”
Mercer County projects
In Mercer County, Stoneboro Borough received a $2,624,279 loan and a $2,965,721 grant to install a new storage reservoir and replace 19,500 feet of waterline, new fire hydrants, and 142 service connections to address issues with deteriorated storage tank and unreliable distribution lines.
And Grove City Borough received a $10,980,200 loan to expand the wastewater treatment plant to allow an increase in permitted flows to accommodate expanding needs of the system.