State Senator Lisa Boscola has announced state funding totaling $1,890,103 for projects in the 18th Senatorial District through the Local Share Account – Northampton and Lehigh Counties, the Local Share Account-Monroe County and the Blight Remediation Program.

“Through the approval of these state funds, communities will be able to expedite important projects that will improve the quality of life and increase community safety,” Boscola said. “The local share account funds coming to important community projects throughout the Lehigh Valley demonstrate the positive impact we have seen through the state gaming act,” Boscola added.

Boscola said she was pleased to work with her colleagues in the Lehigh Valley legislative delegation to secure the state funds, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), for investment in the following local projects:

• Redevelopment Authority of the City of Bethlehem ($300,000) for blight remediation of three properties;

• Northampton County ($100,000) for remediation of the Glendon Hotel Property;

• Hellertown Borough ($206,990) for Authority Park Improvements;

• City of Bethlehem ($160,000) for Bethlehem Golf Course equipment;

• Freemansburg Borough ($103,766) for police patrol vehicle

• Freemansburg Borough ($29,467) for police de-escalation and use of force simulator

• Bethlehem Township ($67,447) for K-9 vehicle purchase;

• Bethlehem Township ($85,120) for EMS equipment;

The Local Share Accounts were established by the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The funds are generated by the state’s gaming facilities and may be used for economic development, community development and public interest projects in Northampton, Lehigh, Monroe and their contiguous counties.

The Blight Remediation Program was enacted as part of the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Code in 2019 for projects that involve the acquisition, demolition, and/or rehabilitation of blighted properties or properties affected by natural disasters to also include the clearing and preparing of land for future use and projects resulting in visible improvements.

The grants were approved by the state Commonwealth Financing Authority Board in Harrisburg.

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