The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks awarded over $4 million in grants from funds generated at Bensalem’s Parx Casino. The Authority’s board of directors approved the grants to eligible municipalities at a public meeting held earlier this month at its office in Bristol Borough.
Grant funding will be used for a variety of municipal projects that include infrastructure improvements, facilities, health and public safety, human services and equipment for law enforcement, firefighters and emergency responders.
“Thanks to the leadership of recently retired Sen. Tomlinson, we have seen firsthand the meaningful difference the Municipal Grant Program has made to improve and protect our communities,” said Ralph DiGuiseppe, chairman of the Redevelopment Authority board. “Sen. Tomlinson’s vision for the gaming legislation has resulted in tens of millions of dollars being used locally to address gaming’s impact on our region while reducing the burden on the local taxpayers.”
Outgoing state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson said, “The Municipal Grant Program has been more successful than I could have ever envisioned when first drafting the legislation to legalize gaming in the commonwealth. Since its creation, the Redevelopment Authority has saved taxpayers money by awarding over $56 million in grant funding to local municipalities for critical projects.”
According to Jeff Darwak, executive director of the Redevelopment Authority, 49 applications requesting over $7.2 million were received this year. The Authority was able to support 42 of those projects.
Funds for the Municipal Grant Program are provided by 1 percent of the gross terminal revenue from Parx Casino, as authorized by the Pennsylvania Race Horse and Development Gaming Act of 2004. The grant application is offered annually along with application guidelines to each of the eligible municipalities.
Grants awarded include:
Bristol Borough Public Works Dump Truck – $115,450
Bristol Borough Public Works Bobcat – $83,986
Bristol Borough Public Works Pick-up Truck – $69,275
Bristol Borough Police Tasers – $10,568
Bristol Borough Police Patrol Vehicle Acquisition – $70,561
Bristol Borough Fire Department Water Rescue Equipment – $44,176
Relocate Essential Fire and Rescue Communication Equipment at Grundy Towers – $50,000
Bucks County Rescue Squad Ambulance Acquisition – $158,178
Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center – $550,000
Morrisville Borough Police Department Vehicles Acquisition (via County of Bucks) – $133,324
Feasterville Fire Co., Lower Southampton Fire Dept. & Lower Southampton Township Fire Marshal Office Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement Project – $200,000
Lower Southampton Township Police Vehicles & Equipment Acquisition – $78,746
Lower Southampton Township Road Improvements – $100,000
Hulmeville Borough Road Repair and Resurfacing – $195,000
Hulmeville Borough Traffic Signal Modernization – $25,191
William Penn Fire Company Boiler Replacement – $68,500
Towns Against Graffiti, Partnership of 9 Municipalities for Graffiti & Litter Removal – $165,000
Bucks County Police Chiefs Association RMS Integration – $115,600
Middletown Township Police Vehicles Acquisition – $246,510
Middletown Township Public Works Vehicles Acquisition – $202,590
Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad Power Stretchers – $65,184
Langhorne Manor Borough Stormwater Management Project – $125,515
Langhorne Manor Borough Hall Repairs – $53,800
Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad Stair Chair Replacement – $24,591
Penndel Borough Hall Renovations – $139,416.60
Langhorne Borough Police Vehicle Acquisition – $65,751
Langhorne Borough Municipal and Police Software Acquisition – $19,509
Langhorne Borough Police Department Weapon Enhancement and Acquisition – $7,179
Langhorne Borough Police Department Radio Batteries Replacement – $2,971
Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad Auxiliary Communication Equipment Acquisition – $19,450
Bristol Township Traffic Signal Upgrade Project – $211,000
Bristol Township Traffic Signal Video Detection Upgrade – $60,000
Bristol Township Police Department Body and In-Dash Camera System Project – $100,000
Bristol Township Storm Sewer Inlet Replacement Project – $175,000
Bristol Township Firefighting and Rescue Equipment for Township Firefighters – $20,000
Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad Cardiac Monitors – $20,000
Edgely Fire Company Rescue Tools – $20,000
Levittown Fire Company #2 Paratech Vehicle Stabilization Struts – $20,000
Croydon Fire Company Tablets and Laptops – $20,000
Third District Fire Company Rescue Equipment – $20,000
Newportville Fire Company Floor Replacement – $13,298
Bucks County Rescue Squad Building Improvements – $150,000
