Cartwright announces over $10.4 million in 2023 community project funds for Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties

Total economic development funds for NEPA at $61 million

Washington, DC – Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced Community Project Funding designations – totaling $61 million – he submitted to the Appropriations Committee for federal fiscal year 2023, including more than $10.4 million for projects in Wayne, Pike and Monroe counties.

Highlights include new construction at the Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport; a major road repair and paving project for State Route 590 from the Wayne County Line to Towpath Road; and a much-needed storm pipe replacement and significant upgrades to Milford Borough’s aging stormwater system.

“Milford Borough appreciates the funding of the first phase of stormwater upgrades and other repairs to its aging infrastructure,” Council President Joseph Dooley said. “These funds will go a long way to improve the services we are able to provide our residents and business owners alike to attract more investment in our community. We would not be able to fund these improvements without monies received through the efforts of Congressman Cartwright.”

In 2021, Cartwright brought home a total of $19.6 million in funding for his community projects, the highest amount by a Pennsylvania congressman, he says.

“We did well last year,” Congressman Cartwright said. “I am thrilled to build off last year’s success with this new round of $61 million in project funding that’s aimed at creating jobs, driving local economic growth and improving the quality of life for our communities.”

Community Project Funding officially made a comeback in 2021, ending a decade long moratorium on congressionally directed spending. Today’s Community Project Funding designations are only available to local government projects and non-profit organizations and require a transparent, merit-based application process.

For the entire Congress, Community Project Funding designations are approved by the 12 chairs of the House Appropriations Committee, of which Cartwright is one. They are slated to be passed later this spring and summer with the 2023 federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The Pocono-area projects submitted by Congressman Cartwright for FY2023 Community Project Funding include:

Milford Borough, Pike County: Storm pipe replacement, $5 million

Most of the existing stormwater pipes in Milford Borough are constructed of galvanized steel and have deteriorated over time and need to be replaced. This request for community project funding will improve stormwater management for Milford Borough by replacing 11,241 linear feet of failing galvanized stormwater pipe and making targeted re-routing improvements. This project is part of a larger initiative of improving the commercial district in Milford Borough and expanding water and sewer treatment plant to thereby allowing restaurants, hotels, offices and manufacturing facilities the ability to expand. Additionally, the county government is housed along this corridor and this upgrade will provide a foundation for continued and expanded governmental services, including legal and court functions.

Lackawaxen Township: Paving and resurfacing project for State Route 590, $2.4 million

This project is for 9.1 miles of State Route 590, from the Wayne County line to Towpath Road, which averages 2,646 vehicles a day with drivers on their way to Woodloch Resort, a tourist haven for east coast vacationers, and large living communities including Tinkwig, Lake Forest and Masthope Rapids. Existing road conditions include severe cracking, potholes, depressions and rutting that can – and has - caused damage to vehicles. The proposed project will provide a smoother and safer riding surface while decreasing the cost of ongoing roadway maintenance.

Multi-County Projects

Additional Community Project Funding that will benefit the Pocono Region includes $3 million for a multi-county United Way program for education and support services for at-risk children and their families, including Pre-K tuition. This project includes the United Ways of Pocono Mountains, Wayne County, Lackawanna, Wyoming Valley and the Greater Hazleton Region.