Almost $350,000 in Grants Allocated to 55th District, Says Cooper

March 18, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland) announced today that nearly $350,000 in state funding is being invested in several community improvement projects in the 55th District. 

“Between public safety, transportation or library programs, our municipalities go above and beyond to meet the needs of families who call our region home, while also keeping property taxes as low as possible,” said Cooper. “This funding helps advance important and worthwhile community initiatives that otherwise may never occur. I was happy to work with my colleagues in the Senate to see these projects advance.”

The following are the project allocations and descriptions:
• Murrysville: $7,529, in cooperation with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), to purchase police-specific bicycles and related equipment to restart a police bicycle patrol program.
• New Kensington: $186,545, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Westmoreland/Indiana/Armstrong/Jefferson), to purchase a new police vehicle, renovations to the city-owned Girl Scout Little House and improvements to Peoples Library.
• Salem Township: $26,716, also in cooperation with Ward, to construct a new salt shed for the public works department.
• Upper Burrell Township: $122,090, also in cooperation with Pittman, to replace a backhoe to be used by the road department.

“These projects represent meaningful steps toward enhancing the quality of life in our community,” Sen. Pittman said. “I am proud to have partnered with my colleagues to advocate for these important investments. The efforts of local leaders and officials on these and other projects, have a profound impact on our municipalities, and I thank them for their work to ensure essential services and infrastructure remain safe, reliable and efficient for residents.”

The grants, known as Local Share Account (LSA) grants, were approved and awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over Pennsylvania’s economic growth programs and investments in. LSA grants are derived from gaming revenues.