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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2009

A Capitol Perspective
A column by State Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District

PENNVEST Improves Quality of Life, Creates Jobs

Pennsylvania supports a number of economic development programs, but few have enjoyed the success or improved the quality of life of our citizens as much as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

PENNVEST was created by Act 16 of 1988 and began operations in March of that year. Since its inception, PENNVEST has provided financing totaling more than $5.8 billion in the form of grants and low-interest loans for 2,396 sewer, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth.

These projects improve Pennsylvania's environment and the health of its people by ensuring that the water consumed every day by thousands of Pennsylvanians is safe to drink. Projects supported by PENNVEST funding result in clean rivers and streams in communities for the enjoyment of our citizens and the protection of our natural resources. 

PENNVEST's financial assistance also directly encourages businesses to locate and expand their operations in Pennsylvania to create permanent, family-sustaining jobs for our workers.  More than 58,000 permanent jobs were created as a result of infrastructure improvements financed by PENNVEST and the projects themselves involved more than 204,000 construction jobs.

Recently, PENNVEST approved $6.3 million in financing for four Lehigh County projects:

The Lehigh County Authority received a $6 million low-interest loan to install a 3 million-gallon flow equalization tank and an odor control system.

Eugene H. Wolfgang Enterprises of Orefield received a $195,000 low-interest loan to provide a new well, replace storage tanks and provide a hookup for emergency power for an existing mobile home community.

The Lehigh County Conservation District received a $100,000 grant to retrofit an existing storm water basin.

Lehigh County received a $40,000 grant to incorporate “green” building techniques and methods to control storm water runoff and reduce energy consumption for a new building in the Trexler Game Preserve.

These are just the latest awards from PENNVEST for projects in the Lehigh Valley. The financing has resulted in many major improvements ranging from the development and enhancing of major municipal water systems to enabling small communities to build needed sewage systems without placing an overwhelming burden on ratepayers.

 

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468

State Senator Pat Browne represents the 16th Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.