Lancaster County projects land PENNVEST funds

Two Lancaster County projects are among the 13 awarded $41.7 million in low-interest loans and grants from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, which is known as PENNVEST.

Marlin Becker received a $619,208 grant to construct two manure storage facilities, animal trails, stormwater controls and other improvements that will eliminate nutrient runoff that would eventually hit the Chesapeake Bay.

Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community received a $883,659 loan to construct a new package treatment plant "where malfunctioning on-lot systems are discharging sewage into an open ditch and other local areas that are adversely affected by the amount of liquid being discharged," according to a news release. The nursing home is privately owned.

The other awards range from a $537,000 loan to eliminate wet weather overflows of untreated sewage into a stream in Allegheny County to a $9.3 million loan and grant combination to renovate a deteriorated wastewater treatment plant in Bradford County that will allow a vacant manufacturing facility to accommodate the expansion of three businesses, leading to the creation of 221 new jobs and the investment of $40 million in the area.

Of the $41.7 million, $32.9 million is for low-interest loans and $8.8 million is offered as grants.

The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to PENNVEST from the Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards. The money is disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.

Source: Central Penn Business Journal