Press Releases

Eighth Congressional District, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced $11,576,275 in federal funding for several projects from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, which is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas through a range of programs.

PA-08 Recipients:

• The Bear Creek Foundation in Luzerne County received a Community Facility Direct Loan of $11.4 million to construct a 36,000 square-foot addition to its existing charter school.
• Edwardsville Borough in Luzerne County received an Economic Impact Initiative Grant of $33,200 to purchase a new Chevrolet Tahoe with attachments. The vehicle will be used for daily monitoring and enforcing codes and zoning laws.
• The Harmony Mountain Institute for Living LLC in Lackawanna County received a Rural Energy for America Grant of $59,350 to purchase and install a 164-kilowatt (kW) ground-mount solar photovoltaic system. The solar array will be installed in an open area on their property.
• Nexus 1 LLC in Luzerne County received a Rural Energy for America Grant of $83,725 to help fund the LED facility lighting upgrade project for NEXUS 1 LLC which will replace outdated incandescent lighting through the offices and factory with state-of-the-art, energy efficient LED lighting equipment.

“I am grateful to the USDA for seeing the value in these projects and for continued support of our district,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I will continue to be a strong advocate for investment in rural communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania as we work to grow our local economies and strengthen infrastructure. I encourage local governments, nonprofits and businesses to explore what USDA Rural Development has to offer.”

“These organizations and businesses are part of the fabric of the rural communities they serve,” said Bob Morgan, USDA Rural Development PA State Director. “These investments will improve energy efficiency and public buildings as well as provide much needed equipment for our local communities throughout rural Pennsylvania. USDA Rural Development is proud to administer these loans and grants where they are needed most.”

USDA Rural Development administers more than 50 economic development programs as part of the agency’s Build Back Better initiative to help rural America build back better, stronger and more equitably than ever before. For more information on the award programs listed above – which include Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants, Economic Impact Initiative Grants and Rural Energy for America Program –contact the USDA Rural Development State Office at (717) 237-2153 or email Daniel.Blottenberger@usda.gov.