Kelly brings over $8 million in Community Project Funding to Northwestern Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced the nearly $8.5 million in Community Project Funding he requested have been included in the omnibus spending package approved in the U.S. House on Wednesday. The projects span all five counties in Rep. Kelly's 16th Congressional District and improve local transportation & infrastructure, expand educational opportunities, lower public utility costs, expand and enhance rural broadband connectivity, and more. 

"By narrowly tailoring this funding to specific local needs, we are giving taxpayers the best return on their investment," Kelly said. "I'm very pleased that we can deliver millions of taxpayer dollars back into our local communities and make our constituents' lives better. After all, it's their money, not Washington's money. I look forward to meeting with local officials and seeing the progress as they projects get underway."

Below are Rep. Kelly's Community Project Funding requests. Please also find quotes from Rep. Kelly for each project.

• $2 million Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport – Extension of Runway 8 -- This funding would help complete planning and construction of Runway 8 to increase safety margins and accommodate jet operations. Completing this project would create an estimated 10 new jobs at the airport and the economic development that would result from the expansion would create more in the community.

           "Airport General Manager Ike Kelly told us this funding would accelerate the runway's project in their master plan," Kelly said. "After years of studies, it was clear this funding could be put to use and benefit Butler County right away."

• $4 million for Erie International Airport – General Aviation Apron --  This funding will allow the airport to repair and replace pavement to comply with FAA guidance. This will improve the airport’s ability to serve general aviators and corporate air travelers in the region.

          "I want to thank Derek Martin and his team at the Erie International Airport for meeting with us and for their efforts on this high-priority project," Kelly said. "EIA is a critical lifeline for regional commerce and tourism, and this funding is essential toward FAA compliance."

          "The Erie International Airport is one of the economic engines for the regional community," said Derek Martin, Executive Director of the Erie Regional Airport Authority. "The Erie Regional Airport Authority is excited to receive a $4 million community grant with the support of Congressman Kelly.  It will allow the Airport to replace aging infrastructure on the taxiways."

• $500,000 for Corry Area Tech Center and Hub -- This project funding will go toward installing high speed broadband infrastructure, a regional cloud system, work-at-home job training, and other technology-related initiatives.

          "When we met with officials from the City of Corry, Corry Redevelopment Authority, and Charles Gray from Impact Corry, it was clear that the City of Corry could use this funding to improve and expand high-speed broadband internet in the area," Kelly said. "The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how critical broadband internet is, especially in rural America."

• $960,000 for Cranberry Township Sanitary Sewer System Project -- The new connection will also allow Breakneck Creek Regional Authority (BCRA) to treat the sanitary sewage that previously flowed through Franklin Acres Pump Station and treat it at its own Wastewater Treatment Plant.

          "Cranberry Township is an anchor community of Butler County, and this funding will help Dan Santoro and his team advance this local infrastructure project more effectively and efficiently," Kelly said.

• $400,000 for City of Corry Wastewater Treatment Plant -- The city of Corry's Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plant currently serves Corry and portions of Wayne, Columbus, and Concord Townships.  This project will replace two old generators with a new one generator.  This is the first step in renovating the wastewater sewage system, which is at capacity, failing repeatedly, and causing financial challenges.

          "This is a key infrastructure project for the City of Corry and surrounding communities," Kelly said. "Thanks to former Mayor David Mitchell, Chuck Gray, and their teams for bringing this project to the forefront. Their work will aim to lower utility costs for local residents."

• $500,000 for Gannon University Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge at Gannon University (IHACK) Program -- This funding will be used to create a STEM pathway for middle and high school students in the National Youth Cyber Education Program and provide undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering fields, among other initiatives. These programs will improve workforce development and prepare students for well-paying jobs in fields that need qualified works.

          "The team at Gannon University has been instrumental in developing the IHACK program," Kelly said. "Building and preparing a strong workforce -- even before our young people start college -- is essential to any community thriving, and this funding will help Gannon achieve those goals."

• $55,000 for Wilmington Area School District – Computer and Robotics Equipment -- This money would allow the district to implement a computer science curriculum for grades 5, 6 and middle school students.

          "When we invest in our children, we invest in our future," Kelly said. "I want to thank everyone involved at the Wilmington Area School District for coming to us with this request and allowing us to help students with this critical computer science program."

• $55,000 for United Way of Titusville Region – Dolly Parton Imagination Library -- The program that would be supported by this funding works to improve literacy among young children by expanding access to books.  Literacy foundation is crucial to brain development for children under five years old and research has shown there is a return on investment. Children that participate in early learning programs have been shown to experience greater educational success and more ambitious career goals.

          "Providing more books and expanding educational opportunities, especially among our youngest readers, is a critical building block," Kelly said. "Thank you to Terri Ann Wig and the team at the United Way of Titusville Region for reaching out to us. This funding will go a long way toward helping the young people of the Titusville area."

BACKGROUND
Congressional leaders resumed Community Project Funding (CPF), formerly known as 'earmarks', for the 117th Congress. With increased transparency and stricter guidelines, lawmakers were permitted to submit specific funding requests during the budget process. Rep. Kelly fielded input from local leaders throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania before selecting these projects. Of the ten (10) requests Rep. Kelly was allotted, eight (8) have been included in the House-passed omnibus spending package on Wednesday.

Details on CPF rules and guidelines can be found here.

This funding comes after Rep. Kelly 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.