Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced the commonwealth's investment of $66 million in 15 brownfields, drinking water and wastewater projects in 14 counties.
"By providing these critical dollars, we can improve water quality, revitalize communities and stimulate economic development," Rendell said of the loans and grants approved by the PENNVEST board of director. "The 15 projects approved today are vital to the quality of life improvements Pennsylvanians deserve.
"On election day, voters will have the chance to take another step forward with a much needed investment of an additional $400 million in our communities that are facing costly improvements to their deteriorating water and wastewater systems. The clean water ballot question sounds complex, but it's really quite simple: Will you support a $400 million investment to clean up Pennsylvania's waterways and provide safer, more dependable drinking water and sewer services?
“We cannot allow our water infrastructure to continue deteriorating at its current rate or the state's business climate and the quality of life in Pennsylvania's communities will decline," the Governor said. "We cannot afford to let this happen. The $400 million investment will also support 12,000 Pennsylvania jobs."
Meanwhile, most of the money approved, $62 million, is for low-interest loans. Combined with $4 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 15 clean water projects.
The awards range from an $861,380 loan to prevent the wet weather discharge of raw sewage into a creek in Erie County to an $11 million loan to a development company that will reclaim an old industrial site and convert it into a mixed-use commercial and residential property that will provide new housing and create more than 2,000 jobs in Allegheny County.
Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and the receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for reimbursement.
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