WINDBER, Pa. – Windber’s community pool will see a new slide added and another one refinished through a $165,000 grant announced Tuesday.

And Jenner Township will receive $500,000 to enable Somerset Ambulance Association to add a new station in the northern half of the county, while three local school districts received funds for building upgrades.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority funds were among more than a dozen Local Share Account grants announcements made by lawmakers across Somerset County and another 20 more in Cambria County, state lawmakers said. 

Those funds accumulate from gaming revenue generated through Pennsylvania’s 17 licensed casinos statewide.

“The Local Share Account, which awarded these grants, is a great example of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars being put to work as investments that improve their quality of life. I applaud local leaders for being proactive in applying for these highly competitive grants,” said state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale, who, in a joint release with state Rep. Pat Stefano, R-Fayette, announced grants for Windber’s pool and a $357,000 Windber Area Authority project to replace 2,100 feet of waterline in Paint Township.

Windber’s recreation park pool will also receive a new surface for its existing splash pad, Stefano and Rigby said.

The Jenner Township ambulance building project comes at a time Somerset Ambulance Association is expanding its territory to fill a void created when Boswell’s ambulance agency closed is 2022. Boswell Borough officials acted in late 2022 to make Somerset Ambulance their primary responder.

Among Somerset County projects awarded support:

• Addison Township ($75,000) to survey and study a slide that impacts Lake Aide Drive.

• Elk Lick Township ($140,880) to purchase a new 2025 Peterbilt Truck for the streets department.

• Greenville Township ($240,835) to purchase a payloader and a compact tractor.

• Jenner Township ($500,000) to construct the ambulance building being leased by the Somerset Ambulance Association.

• Lincoln Township ($224,286) to purchase a versatile tractor and essential attachments.

• Milford Township ($129,403) to purchase a new John Deere backhoe.

• Shade Township ($156,600) for a visitors center and memorial rose garden to be located near the crash site of Flight 93. Another $51,257 will purchase a police vehicle with associated lighting.

• Stonycreek Township ($90,050) to purchase an excavator to be used to replace underground culverts and culvert boxes.

• Summit Township ($170,000) to purchase a motor grader.

All combined, Stefano said Somerset County projects received more than $3.8 million in funds.

Cambria County

At least 30 Cambria County communities, authorities and other organizations received more than $4.7 million in Local Share Account funds benefitting that will revamp part of the county firefighters’ fire training facility, upgrade infrastructure in several communities and add a community space at Johnstown Public Library.

State Sen, Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, announced the funds to support the training facility, while state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, issued a separate release about $82,000 in funds applied for by Johnstown Redevelopment Authority to add the community meeting space.

“These improvements will make a difference in the region’s quality of life and save local taxpayers money,” said Burns, whose list also included funds to upgrade Southmont’s borough office.

The full list of awards includes:

• 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial ($220,693) to renovate the kitchen and another $100,000 to renovate its parking area.

• Barr Township ($491,057) for construction and engineering on Keith Hollow Road.

 • Blacklick Valley Foundation and Ambulance Service ($202,713) for a new ambulance to be used in Nanty Glo.

• Cambria Heights School District ($39,500) for school zone flashing lights.

• Cassandra Borough ($89,321) for the purchase of a new tractor.

• Clearfield Township ($39,500) for school zone flashing lights to be placed on Glendale Road in front of Cambria Heights Middle School and High School campuses.

• Cresson Borough ($78,199) for the purchase of new police equipment to be used in Cresson and Lilly boroughs.

• Conemaugh Township ($59,499) to purchase a crack sealing trailer to help repair roads, $150,000 for a new excavator and $72,861 to replace its 17-year-old Dodge Charger with an all-wheel driver Ford Expedition.

• Dean Township ($33,925) for the purchase of an emergency power generator for the township’s water treatment system.

• East Conemaugh Borough ($107,805) to purchase an additional maintenance vehicle and replace a high-mileage police vehicle.

• Ebensburg ($52,747) to purchase and install two rapid flashing beacons at the corner of West High and Julian streets for increased pedestrian safety.

• Ferndale Borough ($38,650) for the purchase of license plate readers for the police department.

• Gallitzin Borough Sewer and Disposal Authority ($70,300) for wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

• Hyndman Area Health Center ($242,000) for new medical and dental equipment for its Johnstown office.

• Jackson East Taylor Sewer Authority ($57,500) to replace a damaged portion of sewer main along state Route 271 near Mundy’s Corner.

• Johnstown Redevelopment Authority ($82,000) to create a community meeting space at the Cambria County Library in Johnstown.

• Johnstown-based Women’s Help Center ($31,431) to renovate the shelter’s bathrooms, boiler and HVAC systems.

• Lilly Borough ($450,000) for phase two streetscape improvements.

• Lorain Borough ($58,252) for a small excavator for various public works projects in the borough.

• Lower Yoder Township ($101,268) for the Elk Run culvert rehabilitation project.

• Middle Taylor Township ($25,821) to upgrade the antiquated siren at Middle Taylor Township Volunteer Fire Co.

• Patton Borough ($32,445) to purchase a UTV for fire and rescue.

• Portage Township ($33,938) for the purchase of medical equipment to be used by the Portage Area Ambulance Association.

• Reade Township ($134,058) for the purchase of a backhoe loader.

• Reade Township Municipal Authority ($400,000) for the purchase of a water system storage tank.

• Sankertown Sewer Authority ($275,000) for sanitary sewer system improvements.

• Scalp Level Borough ($336,336) for stormwater drainage improvements on Veil Road and Spring Street.

• Southmont Borough ($324,315) for updates to the municipal building.

•  Upper Yoder Township ($61,848) to buy a 2024 Ford Utility SUV for the police department.

• Upper Yoder Township Authority ($150,000) for a van and related equipment to aid in the maintenance of the sanitary sewer.

School funding

Four area school districts received funds though the Public School Facilities Improvement Grant Program, which provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects.

Burns said Conemaugh Valley Junior-Senior High School secured $2 million for HVAC upgrades.

Berlin Brothersvalley School District received $560,000 for HVAC, safety, roof, plumbing and AED upgrades at the K-12 facility in Berlin Borough, Stefano said. 

And Turkeyfoot Valley School District’s K to 12 school received $940,376 for a new boiler, AED, plumbing and HVAC work, as well as roof and health and safety upgrades, he said.

Ligonier Valley also received $1 million for HVAC work at the school district’s high school building, state Rep. Leslie Rossi, R-Westmoreland, said.