U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) yesterday voted to pass a fiscal year 2022 appropriations package. The defense portion of the legislation passed on a 361-69 vote, while the domestic spending portion passed on a 260-171 vote.

The legislation includes $1 million for Shared West End Emergency Services Facility. Sponsored by Chestnuthill Township, this project involves the building of a new Shared Emergency Services Facility. The new building would serve as an all-in-one facility with space for the West End Volunteer Fire Company, West End Community Ambulance Association, and a Regional West End Emergency Operations Center that would serve as the EOC for Chestnuthill, Jackson, Eldred, Ross, Polk and Hamilton Townships and provide an administrative backup location for the Monroe County Control Center as well as the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management.

There is also $1.15 million for Hazleton Integration Project, Hazleton, PA for a STEAM-based education program

Sponsored by the Hazleton Integration Project (HIP), this funding would help the organization create a STEAM-based education model to eradicate food insecurity in the Greater Hazleton Area. Age specific STEAM labs will maximize innovative approaches to problem solving and serve as centerpieces to drive and sustain this effort for years to come. Student-led committees will research root causes of food insecurity and drive solutions by incorporating community gardening, logistics, marketing, communication, legislation and the food supply chain. Additional emphasis will focus on the impact of food insecurity and poverty on mental health. Hundreds of the area’s economically disadvantaged high schoolers will be mentored throughout by university students.