Press Releases

Schuylkill County, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development division awarded Economic Initiative Impact Grants totaling $22,950 to Avenues, a human service organization committed to providing quality services that enhance the lives of individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities.

The $10,050 and $12,900 grants will enable the purchase of minivans for Mahanoy and Mechanicsville facilities. The new vans will be used to transport individuals with developmental and/or acquired disabilities to program services available offsite in a community setting. The current fleet they use does not meet their needs.

“I am a strong supporter of investments that help agencies in our small towns provide essential services,” said Rep. Cartwright a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We need to remain committed to programs like those available through USDA Rural Development to maintain economic vitality and a good quality of life in our rural communities.”

“Avenues is very grateful to be awarded these grants to purchase minivans to help us meet our mission of connecting individuals with disabilities to their communities,” said Peter Keitsock, Executive Director of Avenues.

The Economic Initiative Impact Grant program is managed by USDA Rural Development, which offers a broad portfolio of programs to improve the lives of rural Americans. The goal of this grant is to help very small, financially distressed rural communities extend and improve community facilities and public safety.