InfrastructurePennsylvania invests in water infrastructure

Governor Edward Rendell yesterday announced the PENNVEST Board of Directors’ approval of $72 million in low-interest loans and grants for 19 brownfields, drinking water, wastewater, and storm water projects in 15 counties. The governor said the projects are important to the environment, the health of citizens, and the economic vitality of communities. “As Governor and co-founder of the Building America’s Future Coalition, I am committed to maintaining and improving the health of our critical infrastructure for the benefit of residents, businesses and communities,” Rendell said. “Today’s actions by the PENNVEST Board take us one more step down the long, difficult but vital road to a safer, more secure and more prosperous future.”

Most of the money approved, $64 million, is for low-interest loans. Combined with $8 million in grants, PENNVEST will fund 19 clean water projects. The awards range from a $356,081 loan and grant for an innovative and cost-effective wastewater management system to serve a community in Tioga County to an $11 million loan to help fund a brownfield remediation project in Philadelphia that will facilitate the development of a world-class food distribution center and create 300 new jobs. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and the receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for reimbursement.