Cooper: Nearly $1.8 Million in LSA Grants Awarded for Westmoreland County Communities

September 15, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland) today announced $1,795,780 in Local Share Account (LSA) grants have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for 11 community and municipal projects in and around the 55th Legislative District.

“Municipalities are expected to keep roads passable, police and fire responders equipped, and public facilities safe, often while working within very tight budgets,” Cooper said. “These grants help communities replace aging equipment and make needed upgrades without placing the entire cost on local taxpayers.”

The grants are:
• City of Arnold – $685,525 for two projects: $193,025 to replace a 2000 GMC dump truck that requires frequent repairs with a new truck equipped with a plow and salt-spreader package; and $492,500, in cooperation with Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana/Armstrong/Westmoreland), to rehabilitate the Riverside pump station by replacing failing pumps, valves, sensors and control systems with modern automated equipment.
• Export Borough – $80,820 – to purchase a utility truck and salt spreader replacing aging, rusting equipment that has become increasingly unreliable for road maintenance and snow removal.
• Loyalhanna Township/Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department – $132,328, in cooperation with Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), to purchase a base station and 25 portable radios replacing outdated equipment that is no longer compatible with 911 dispatch. The department works with Conemaugh and Tunnelton volunteer fire departments to cover Saltsburg Borough and parts of Indiana and Westmoreland counties.
• Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland/Miracle League of Western PA – $170,953, in cooperation with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), for an ADA-compliant pavilion and new electronic scoreboard at the Bill Mazeroski Miracle Field at the Rotary Miracle Sports Complex in the Municipality of Murrysville.
• New Kensington – $374,036 – for three projects that will improve municipal operations and public safety, including $26,500 for security upgrades at City Hall; $45,766 to purchase and upfit a police vehicle to replace a high-mileage patrol vehicle; and $301,770 to purchase a backhoe, track skid steer and compact excavator to replace aging public works equipment and allow city crews to perform more work in-house.
• Salem Township – $169,262 – to replace a 1989 Mack dump truck with a new truck for snow plowing, tar-and-chip work, paving, tree cutting and hauling heavy equipment.
• Upper Burrell Township – $137,090 – to replace an older road-department backhoe that has reached the end of its useful life, allowing more projects to be performed by township crews.
• Washington Township – $45,766 – to purchase a 2026 Ford F-600 public works truck with a body and plow package to replace an older truck in poor condition.

Local Share Account funds are generated under the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 71 of 2004), which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest across Pennsylvania. The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency to administer Pennsylvania economic development programs and investments.

Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Chris Comisac
717.772.9845
ccomisac@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper