State Senator John Yudichak, I-Luzerne/Carbon, State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, and State Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill, announced that 10 projects in Carbon County will receive $733,304 in funding from the Monroe County Local Share Account grant program.

“Today’s funding announcement from the Commonwealth Financing Authority invests heavily in our local police and volunteer fire departments as well community development and heritage tourism,” said Yudichak. “As Carbon County continues to grow and more jobs are created because of a flourishing tourism industry, we must continue to make sound investments in our communities’ infrastructure and public safety, which was certainly accomplished with the projects that were awarded funding today.”

“Much of this money is going to local police and fire departments for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment and building improvements that will help them to better serve and protect our local communities. Law enforcement is under attack nationwide, and it is more critical than ever that we support our police departments any way we can,” said Heffley. “I am also pleased the grant was approved for the No. 9 Mine and Museum, so it can continue to attract visitors to Carbon County and keep our local coal heritage alive. In addition, the funding for improvements at Ashton Park is welcome news as Lansford Borough works toward reopening the pool.”

The Lansford No. 9 Mine was awarded $100,000 on behalf of the Panther Creek Valley Foundation, for improvements to the mine and museum. Upgrades include: roof and main entrance repairs and new batteries for the vintage electric mine locomotives.

“With this funding we can now preserve our region’s coal mining history. The building was built in 1912 and still has its original roof. There aren’t many buildings like it left,” said Zachary Petroski, president of Panther Creek Valley Foundation. “This will allow us to improve the look and layout of our museum and better protect our collection with the replacement of the roof and front doors. This is really a game-changer for us and we want to thank everyone that helped us acquire this funding.”

Summit Hill borough will receive $215,000 in funding on behalf of Diligence Fire Company Number 1, to purchase a new tanker truck.

“I was happy to advocate for this funding,” said Knowles, R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill. “Summit Hill Borough has been looking to make upgrades to its police and fire departments and this grant should help in a big way. As a former law enforcement officer, I know that it is imperative we do everything in our power to make certain our first responders have the equipment necessary to keep us safe.”

The following projects in Carbon County were also awarded funding:

• $65,209 in funding for Summit Hill Borough on behalf of the Summit Hill Police Department for the purchase of a new police utility vehicle and license plate reader.

• $60,094 in funding for the borough of Jim Thorpe on behalf of the Jim Thorpe Police Department for the purchase of a new police vehicle and license plate reader.

• $60,000 in funding for Palmerton Borough on behalf of the Palmerton Police Department for police department equipment including: eight tasers, four dash cameras and six body cameras.

• $59,000 in funding for Kidder Township on behalf of the Kidder Township Police Department for the purchase and installation of a server, desktop computer, patrol computers, printers, and a drone for the police department.

• $52,000 in funding for Lansford Borough for improvements to make Ashton Park ADA accessible. ADA accessible ramps will be installed throughout the park facility.

• $50,000 in funding for Nesquehoning Borough on behalf of the Nesquehoning Police Department for the purchase and installation of field equipment, office equipment, and surveillance equipment.

• $40,000 in funding for Franklin Township on behalf of the Franklin Township Police Department for the purchase and installation of two new Panasonic Toughbook laptops and a license plate reader.

• $32,000 in funding for the Borough of Jim Thorpe on behalf of the borough’s Municipal Fire Department for renovation costs at Onoko Fire & Rescue Station and the Diligent Station.