The Butler County Infrastructure Bank- created to help municipalities finance projects- is getting ready to award its first funding dollars.
Six projects are under consideration, according to the county’s chief economic developer Mark Gordon. An announcement of award winners is expected at the end of next month.
The projects being considered are:
-Flood control for Sullivan Run in the city of Butler
-A $1 million request by the city to replace streets lights along Main Street
-Cranberry Township made two requests. The first was seeking $4.5 million to fund a portion of a $15 million thruway project that would divert traffic off Route 228 via an underground tunnel; The second was money to complete sewer improvements.
-West Sunbury Borough is seeking funds to fix an issue with its wastewater system concerning high ammonia content
-Marion Township is asking for money for a sewer system renovation in Boyers
Butler County is only the second county in the state to establish an infrastructure bank. The money is coming from the county’s Act 13 funds, which are paid by companies who construct natural gas wells in the county.
“The purpose of the infrastructure bank is to be helpful,” Gordon said in an interview. “To allow municipalities to do things that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.”