Warren County has received a $550,000 federal investment to support the county’s emergency radio tower improvement project.
Sen. Dave McCormick made the announcement Thursday night. This project was one of 62 state-wide that received funds through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.
“This initiative closes significant coverage gaps in our emergency communications system,” Warren County Public Safety Director Ken McCorrison said. “Improved communications are essential to ensuring the safety of our first responders while also enhancing the level of response that can be provided to residents and visitors.”
Total project cost is estimated at around $6 million. The project includes construction of three new emergency towers and a host of associated equipment that will bring Warren County’s emergency radio system up to what is considered a “public safety grade.”
“We take seriously the responsibility that we’ve been given to be responsible stewards of local property tax revenue,” Grant Writer Josh Cotton said. “As a result, we’ve turned over every leaf and stone - both public and private - to try to offset the cost of portions of this project. Some of those efforts - like this one - were successful. Others weren’t.”
This Congressional award was approved as part of the legislative process that re-opened the government in November.
A total of 62 projects were funded totaling $270 million “supporting critical needs and advancing key priorities throughout the Commonwealth,” according to a release from Sen. McCormick. “These federal funds will support projects across public safety, infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development, and environmental restoration, giving Pennsylvanians the resources to improve critical services, advance opportunities, and enhance quality of life across the Commonwealth.”
“This funding delivers real results for Pennsylvanians,” Sen. McCormick said. “It helps communities advance important projects and ensures taxpayer dollars are put to work where they are needed most. This money would have been spent by those in Washington, D.C. regardless. My goal is to steer these tax dollars home to worthy projects rather than leave these decisions to unelected bureaucrats.”
“$550,000 is a tiny piece of that legislation,” Cotton added, “but the impact locally will pay off in emergency response in Warren County for the next 20 to 30 years.”
“As outdoor recreation grows as a sector of our economy, we’re particularly pleased that this project will expand emergency radio coverage on portions of the Allegheny National Forest,” McCorrison said. “We’re grateful to Sen. McCormick for sharing in the vision of what we’re looking to accomplish with this project and his advocacy in securing this funding on our behalf.”