Gov. Tom Wolf announced April 15 Pennsylvania has been awarded $2.88 million to support rural public schools, roads and other municipal services through President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Pennsylvania is home to tremendous natural resources and many of our rural communities are strongly connected to these natural resources that are on federal land” Wolf said.

“This funding will help strengthen these communities and I applaud the Biden Administration for recognizing the importance of supporting those rural areas by ensuring the maintenance of local roads and schools and other infrastructure near federal land.”

The funding is part of a $238 million commitment by the Biden Administration through the federal Secure Rural Schools program, which was reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 by the landmark BIL.

The forest service retains a portion of Secure Rural Schools program funds to support projects that improve forest conditions and support jobs in rural communities.

Resource advisory committees, made up of residents representing varied interests and areas of expertise, review and recommend projects that meet their local needs.

Over the past 10 years, the forest service has distributed $2.6 billion through the Secure Rural Schools program.

Each state’s payment amount is determined by various factors set in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the number of counties electing to share in a state’s payment.