Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, announced $20.6 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) grants submitted by his office have been approved for projects within Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District. The projects were included in the legislation passed by the U.S. House on Thursday.
The projects were included in the Transportation and Housing & Urban Development (THUD) and Homeland Security Bills. The legislation now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
“I believe it’s important for everyone to remember: this money isn’t from the government. These are your taxpayer dollars at work in local communities,” said Rep. Kelly. “As my team and I reviewed this year’s projects, our priority was ensuring Pennsylvania taxpayers received the strongest return on their investment. I look forward to seeing these projects take shape in the months and years ahead.”
The projects in Erie County are:
$3 million — Erie County Industrial Park, Erie County
This new industrial park in McKean Township will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, attract businesses, and increase tax revenue, while also improving infrastructure, fostering business expansion, and promoting environmental stewardship. Erie County lacks the adequate infrastructure and facilities for industrial development; this project would provide the infrastructure for a new industrial park.
$2.6 million — City of Erie Emergency Operations Command Center, Erie County
This project will construct a new Emergency Operations Center in the heart of Erie. In 2021, the city noted advanced deterioration of the existing facility located at 311 Marsh Street. This new Emergency Operations Center will serve a 14-county region in Northwestern Pennsylvania and has far-reaching implications for increasing public safety, improving coordination and collaboration with first responders and law enforcement organizations, facilitating regional training opportunities, reducing crime, and improving the efficiency of effectiveness of disaster response throughout the region.
$2 million for Erie Coke Demolition Project, Erie County
This project will demolish the existing smokestack and condemned structures at the former Erie Coke Site. Abandoned in 2019, the lakefront Erie Coke Site has been an environmental hazard in the City of Erie for nearly five years. This project would help remediate the environmental hazards presented by the abandoned site which would benefit the health and safety of the entire community and provide nearly 200 acres of usable lakefront property.
$1.05 million for Erie International Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Vehicle, Erie County
This project would replace the existing Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, which has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer up to FAA standards. A new ARFF vehicle would ensure FAA compliance, as well as enhance airport passenger, employee, and environmental safety.
