CFA awards more than $2.8 million to the 77th Legislative District

$2,867,790 awarded from two programs

STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 19 – Following advocacy from state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, the Commonwealth Financing Authority this week awarded funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to support arts and cultural organizations, and projects relating to water supplies, sewer systems, and stormwater management in the 77th Legislative District.

CFA awarded four grants from the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Recovery Program, which include:

  • $49,500 to the Centre County Foundation to provide for payments to artists.
  • $32,447 to Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania to provide for operations.
  • $25,843 to Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts for operations.
  • $10,000 to the State College Choral Society to provide for marketing.

“These grants will support arts and cultural organizations, which generate approximately $22.5 million for Centre County’s economy,” Conklin said. “With more than 125,000 people visiting the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, we make investments in central Pennsylvania’s economy through grants to these arts and cultural organizations, thereby attracting more tourists. These grants will ensure Centre County Foundation, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and the State College Choral Society continue to prosper, as well as bring the community together to celebrate the arts and culture across Centre County.”

In addition, CFA allocated three grants from the COVID-19 ARPA H2O Pennsylvania – Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water Projects Program, which include:

  • $1 million to State College Borough to replace the stormwater system on Calder Way.
  • $1 million to State College Borough Authority to replace the water system under Calder Way.
  • $750,000 to State College Borough to replace the sanitary sewer system on Calder Way.

“These grants will replace the stormwater system, water system, and sanitary sewer system on Calder Way,” he said. “By doing so, we make investments in Centre County’s infrastructure to prevent flooding during storms, improve access to drinking water, and improve waste disposal.”

Established in 2004 as an agency of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, CFA administers Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.