Burns secures $95K state grant for East Taylor paver
Agreement with Conemaugh Township helps two municipalities maintain roads
Rep. Frank Burns September 24, 2026 | 9:52 AM
JOHNSTOWN, Sept. 24 — A new grant obtained by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is a textbook example of multiple officials working together in neighborly fashion at the state and local levels to help communities in Cambria County.
The $95,000 grant was awarded to East Taylor Township for a road paver, and the township has agreed to share it with neighboring Conemaugh Township.
According to East Taylor Supervisor and Roadmaster Rick Price, East Taylor’s previous road paver was obsolete, and contracting jobs out tends to be more expensive and time-consuming than doing it in-house. So he and J.D. Burns, roadmaster of Conemaugh Township (and no relation to Rep. Burns), discussed whether they might be able to purchase a new paver and share it.
Unusual as the arrangement might sound, they thought it might work. Both boards of supervisors agreed, and they hashed out a contract, Price said.
To secure state funding for the paver, they approached Rep. Burns. “He was all in favor and on board with it,” Price recalled.
Rep. Burns went to work on his end and helped make this cooperative, money-saving arrangement a reality.
“And it turned out very beneficial for both municipalities,” Price said.
“I know that this type of state funding makes a big difference in our municipalities,” Rep. Burns said. “In this case, two municipalities working together will be able to better maintain our roads, and it’s a perfect example of making government work better. I’m always happy to bring funding home to help improve our lives in Cambria County with projects like these.”
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“(Rep. Burns) understands small municipalities and the issues we deal with. He’s amazing to work with.” – East Taylor Supervisor and Roadmaster Rick Price
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Price said he’s worked with Rep. Burns on multiple projects and appreciates his willingness to help municipalities that might otherwise go overlooked.
“He understands small municipalities and the issues we deal with,” Price said. “He’s amazing to work with.”
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“In this case, two municipalities working together will be able to better maintain our roads, and it’s a perfect example of making government work better. I’m always happy to bring funding home to help improve our lives in Cambria County with projects like these.” – Rep. Burns
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The grant was awarded from a program at the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
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