State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, and state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, recently detailed funding from Local Share Account grants awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Miller announced $1,031,412 in funding for public interest projects across his district, and Mako announced nearly $700,000 from gaming revenues.

LSA grants support economic development, job training, community improvement and public interest projects through gaming funds under Act 71 of 2004. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, as amended, provides for the distribution of gaming revenues to support projects in the public interest within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“Investing in our communities is pivotal to their success,” Miller said. “These 12 projects will have a significant positive impact for many of our neighborhoods, as well as our fire, police and public works departments.”

Lehigh County projects include Catasauqua Borough, with $20,868 to replace approximately 2,244 old water meters, and Whitehall Township, with $72,000 toward the purchase of a foam trailer to respond to fires that are not battled with water.

Lehigh County was awarded $8,114 for a video wall project for its emergency operations facility located in the Allentown and an additional $72,583 to purchase radios for the emergency management center in Allentown.

Northampton County projects include Bath Borough, with $189,970 for a new replacement dump truck; Lehigh Township, with $69,999 to upgrade the police department’s computer system; and Northampton Borough, with $80,000 to replace two police vehicles.

Mako partnered with Miller on the funding for Bath and Northampton boroughs and Lehigh Township.

Other Northampton County projects include Moore Township, with $51,225 toward the purchase of two new police vehicles and $18,523 for the purchase of a new speed alert trailer; Bushkill Township, with $39,341 for a new LED sign for Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company; and Hanover Township, with $100,704 toward the construction of a multipurpose field house at First Responders Park, which will include handicapped restrooms to eliminate the need for portable ones, a concession area and storage facilities for equipment used by the township and organizations that use the park.

Other recipients announced by Mako include North Whitehall Township, with $44,406 to purchase four stair lift chairs for Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services to assist with moving patients up and down stairs, and Walnutport Borough, with $308,085 to purchase a replacement multipurpose utility vehicle for Diamond Fire Company.

“I’m pleased to help advocate for these grant funds in order to purchase needed equipment for municipal services within the 183rd Legislative District,” Mako said. “Our local governments do a good job in getting the full use out of vehicles and other equipment, but there comes a time when it must be replaced. It’s good to see gaming funds used for these important needs.”

“Residents across the Lehigh Valley will see the impact of these projects on their daily lives,” Miller added. “I am eager to see these projects be completed.”