Kelly announces $2.5 million in grants for local fire departments

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced more than $2.5 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) grants have been approved for projects within Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District. The projects were included in the legislation passed by the U.S. House and signed into law by President Donald Trump last week.

"These projects represent real, tangible infrastructure that will significantly benefit communities across the 16th Congressional District," Kelly said. "As my team and I reviewed this year’s applications, our priority was ensuring Pennsylvania taxpayers received the strongest return on their investment. I’m confident these projects accomplish exactly that."

 

Rep. Kelly's FY2026 Community Project Funding that will receive funding:

Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, North East, Pa. - Amount: $975,000
This project would construct a new fire station for the Volunteer Fire Company in Greenfield Township.  The existing fire station was built in the 1940’s when fire engines were much smaller, it is also on a busy 50-mph road which presents traffic safety issues when entering and leaving the station.  A new station will allow the fire company to better and more safely provide critical emergency services.

West Mead #1 Volunteer Fire Company, Meadville, Pa.- Amount: $400,077
This new pumper/tanker would replace the current pumper that is 30 years old and does not have the capacity to service mutual aid partners that do not have access to a municipal water system.  This new pumper tanker would increase capacity from 1,000 gallons of water to 2,500 gallons of water and provide the ability to inject a foam solution into the water that would increase effectiveness 3-5 times. Call volume increased by 25% from 2021 to 2023 for West Mead #1, and this new pumper/tanker would allow them to carry out their critical emergency services duties effectively and efficiently.

Harmony Fire District, Zelienople, Pa. - Amount: $1,200,000
This project would replace an existing apparatus that is currently 23 years old.  The Harmony Fire District serves four municipalities, two of which rank among the top five fastest growing communities in Pennsylvania.

Of the fifteen (15) requests Rep. Kelly was allotted, three (3) were included in the spending package passed last week. Rep. Kelly’s additional requests remain under consideration.
 

BACKGROUND
Congressional leaders resumed Community Project Funding (CPF), formerly known as 'earmarks', for the 119th Congress. With increased transparency and stricter guidelines, lawmakers were permitted to submit up to fifteen (15) funding requests during the appropriations process. Rep. Kelly fielded input from local leaders throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania before selecting these projects.

Details on CPF rules and guidelines can be found here.

This funding comes after Rep. Kelly secured more than $50 million in Community Project Funding requests from 2022-2024.

In 2020, Rep. Kelly also delivered two BUILD Grants for the 16th Congressional District, including $25 million for improvements along State Route 228 in Butler County, and $21 million for the City of Erie's Bayfront Parkway Project. In 2018, he also secured a BUILD Grant for the State Route 228 project worth $20 million.