HONESDALE, PA — Municipalities across Wayne County will receive money from two different sources: from the American Rescue Plan Act, and from Community Development Block Grants (CDBC).

With the American Rescue Plan monies, the Wayne County Commissioners have awarded nearly $250,000 in matching grants through a new program created to amplify local municipal infrastructure investments.

Each of Wayne County’s municipalities, 28 in total, received direct but varying levels of funding based on population under this federal pandemic-recovery plan. The county committed additional funding to each of the municipalities as an additional ARP funding source. Guidelines for the grant program defined infrastructure projects including storm water, broadband, recreational opportunities and associated planning.

Preston, Lebanon and Lehigh, Canaan and Dyberry Townships received grants for building projects. Mount Pleasant, Damascus and Palmyra will use their funds for road or bridge improvements. Dreher Township was granted funds for an update of the township’s Act 537 plan. Each demonstrated the funding needed and the commitment to complete the selected projects.

Community development block grant

Oral comment will be accepted on the plans for the CDBG funds at a public hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 13 at the county courthouse. Three different pots of CDBG money will be discussed.

Wayne County is expected to receive an entitlement grant of $256,093 in fiscal year 2022 funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. It proposes using the funds for the following purposes: $46,096.74 for administration, $3,600 for a handicare stairlift in Berlin Township, $90,909 for a resurfacing and paving project in South Canaan Township, $79,229 for work on Coxton Lake Road in Starrucca Borough, and $36,258.26 for work on Highland Street and Cedar Avenue in Hawley Borough.

Wayne County expects to receive $98,498 in funding on behalf of the Borough of Honesdale, and proposes to use $17,931.60 for administration, and $80,566.40 to repave Ridge Street from Cherry Street to Forest Street.

Wayne County also expects to receive $96,236 on behalf of Salem Township. Of that money, $17,244 will be used for administration, and $78,992 for improvements to Spudeno Road / T-337 Road.

All interested citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing, and will have a chance to give oral testimony as well as to present written comments concerning the needs of the county’s proposed CDBG program activities, the prior use of CDBG funds and the CDBG program in general. Comments can be submitted to Katie Blake at kblake@hailstoneeconmic.com or mailed, care of Andrew Seder, Chief Clerk, Wayne County Courthouse, 925 Court St., Honesdale, PA 18431 and are due no later than Sunday, October 23.