State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, recently announced nearly $1 million in Commonwealth Financing Authority Local Share Account grants for more than a dozen projects. The LSA grants total $903,517 and were awarded during the CFA’s recent board meeting. LSA grants support economic development, community development and public interest projects.

Whitehall Township was awarded $97,619 to help preserve the 1835 historic farmhouse located on the 12-acre Historic Mickley-Prydun Farm.

According to Whitehall Commissioner Jeff Warren, the Mickley-Prydun farm is centrally located in Whitehall Township along the Coplay Creek adjacent to the Ironton Rail Trail. The property was acquired for $310,000 during then-Mayor Edward Hozza’s term using Land Water and Conservation funds through grants from the National Park Service to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and a grant from Lehigh County Green Futures Fund. The goal was to preserve open space and curb development along the flood-prone cold water fishery Coplay Creek that was contiguous to other township-owned property.

According to Warren, the farm dates back to 1761 when it was acquired by John Jacob Mickley Sr., who built a small stone house in 1762, which still stands today. Mickley shares credit with transporting the State House Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown in 1777, saving it from near-certain destruction if captured by the British. The property also contains a four-bedroom federal-style brick home built by John Jacob’s son Peter Mickley in 1835.

Since 2019, Warren has written grant narratives and worked with the grant administrator to secure four grants totaling $283,000 toward the restoration of both buildings with the intent of preserving the history of the 1762 summer kitchen and the 1835 home for small gatherings and support current and future activity on the farm. The first phase of roof, soffit and chimney restoration are complete, and the second phase of windows and third phase of exterior brick are fully funded.

The balance of available funding from second and third phases will go toward interior restoration.

The property is also host to the garden managed by volunteers of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative and food pantry. Now in the fourth year, the garden provides produce to be distributed to community members in need.

Two years ago, John Rackus, former township public works director, initiated a riparian buffer restoration project to help Whitehall remove sediment from runoff to meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System mandates. The township’s recreation and public works department have supported ground maintenance.

“While we can’t preserve every property, this property is an environmental gem that is connected to American history that has great potential to serve the community for years to come,” Warren said. “The building has good bones. Investments such as Mickley-Prydun Farm make Whitehall more attractive and adds to quality of life.”

Warren noted, with the support of Mayor Michael Harakal, a small committee has been established to help prioritize restoration and hopes the buildings are ready for America250, which celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Warren also thanked state Sens. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, and Miller and state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, for their support in securing restoration grants.

Other Lehigh County LSA projects include Lehigh Valley P4P Boxing Inc., $37,783 to purchase a 2022 Ford Transit Connect to aid in transporting its boxers to and from competitions located within Lehigh County and South Whitehall Township and $41,967 to help purchase three police vehicles for its police department.

Northampton County LSA funds will be awarded to a number of recipients.

Allen Township was awarded $94,098 to purchase a backhoe to replace the current one, which is 20 years old and is incurring higher than normal maintenance costs.

Bath Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $54,266 to purchase five new portable radios to be used in Bath Borough and surrounding areas in Northampton County.

Northampton Borough was awarded $25,300 for the purchase of security cameras for multiple facilities throughout the borough, including municipal parks and public areas.

Other Northampton County LSA projects include the Bushkill Township Police Department, $41,985 to purchase a 2023 Ford Interceptor police patrol SUV; Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company, $50,000 to purchase a heavy rescue truck, which would replace the department’s 37-year-old heavy rescue truck; and Hanover Township, $51,458 to purchase a new asphalt roller, as its current roller is more than 30 years old and lacks proper safety features.

Additional LSA grants from contiguous counties include $125,122 for Allen Township’s backhoe purchase and $25,000 for Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company’s heavy rescue truck.

East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $165,000 for the purchase and outfitting of a new Rapid Response Emergency Vehicle for use in East Allen Township and the surrounding municipalities. It will supplement the department’s current equipment and allow it to respond to the majority of call types it receives.

Moore and Bushkill townships were awarded $39,608 to purchase road maintenance equipment to maintain and repair township roads, and Hanover Township was awarded $54,311 to purchase and upfit a police interceptor utility vehicle to replace an outdated K-9 vehicle that has more than 170,000 miles.