WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, announced that all 15 of his community project funding requests were included in the final 2023 federal omnibus spending package that passed on Thursday, December 22.

That means $52.7 million is coming back to the Eighth District for projects that will promote economic development, expand medical and mental health services, and provide for much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

Multiple funding projects also included in the spending bill will support area law enforcement, police and first responders.

“Bringing our fair share of federal tax dollars back to our region is the main reason I ran for Congress,” Cartwright said. “This funding directly responds to some of the most pressing needs in northeast Pennsylvania by creating jobs with better pay, making us safer, and strengthening our communities.”

Area projects

Milford Borough, Pike County: Storm pipe replacement, $3.5 million

Most of the existing stormwater pipes in Milford Borough are constructed of galvanized steel, 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 rerouting improvements. This project is part of a larger initiative of improving the commercial district in Milford Borough, and expanding its water and sewer treatment plants. This could give restaurants, hotels, offices and manufacturing facilities the ability to expand.

Additionally, the county government is housed along this corridor and the upgrade, according to a spokesperson, 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. The road averages 2,646 vehicles a day, including drivers on their way to Woodloch Resort and communities such as 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, the spokesperson said.

Multi-county projects: Additional community project funding for the 8th Congressional District includes $2.2 million for a multi-county United Way program for education and support services for at-risk children and their families, including pre-K tuition. The United Ways of Pocono Mountains, Wayne County, Lackawanna, Wyoming Valley and the greater Hazleton region are all part of the project.

Another $1 million is for NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania and its adult living support group. It will expand the Aging in Place program in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties to assist older and disabled homeowners in need of critical safety modifications to allow them to live safely in their own homes. This funding will also help address a waiting list of over 300 people—homeowners already identified as in need of these crucial services across the three-county region.