With American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, Pennsylvania is building lasting assets. Recovery Act awards are helping to pave roads and fix bridges, fund clean water projects, strengthen a public education system that continues to produce academic gains for students, and improve our state's environment and energy efficiency. The Recovery Act is also helping those most in need through extended unemployment benefits, food assistance and health care. In the process, Pennsylvania is creating tens of thousands of jobs. For more detailed information about projects in your county, follow the corresponding project link below. In instances where projects impact more than one county, the project and funding amount may appear in other county summaries. Many other projects in the county are funded by Recovery Act dollars distributed directly from federal agencies. Information on those projects is available at http://www.recovery.gov/.
Lebanon County will implement a countywide initiative to upgrade existing incandescent traffic signals with LED lighting in order to reduce both energy usage and energy costs. This multi-municipal infrastructure improvement project will significantly reduce the energy and maintenance costs to the 10 participating communities as well as lessen negative impacts on the environment by eliminating an estimated 1,290,498 lbs of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of removing 142 cars from the road. The proposed LED upgrades will save an estimated 786,855 kWh/year in electric usage which equates to approximately $86,554 in annual energy cost savings. Furthermore, this infrastructure improvement project will create work to retain an estimated six full-time workers. Conservation 25%
ANERGY, Inc., (ANERGY) is collaborating with three small dairy farms to construct compact anaerobic digesters for manure conversion and on-farm electricity and bedding generation. Each farm has approximately 150 cows and produces an average of 49,000 pounds (lbs.) of milk per week. Each farm generates approximately 3,000 gallons of manure each day. In general, manure at these farms is stored in lagoons for up to four months before land application or disposal off-site. These farms will install an anaerobic digester to improve manure management and reduce odor generation and bedding costs at the farm. In addition, to reduce their energy costs, the farms and ANERGY, Inc. are planning to use biogas generated by the digester to generate electricity for on-farm use. The three compact attached-growth anaerobic digester systems will reduce or eliminate odor emissions from the farms, significantly reduce energy and bedding costs, and facilitate farm growth over the next few years.
The project provides financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Funds will be used for activities to address the jurisdiction’s homelessness needs such as: financial assistance with rental payments; security deposits; utility payments or deposits; arrearages; moving costs; and, motel/hotel vouchers; and housing relocation and stabilization services such as case management; outreach and engagement; housing search and placement; legal services; and, credit repair.
The project provides financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Funds will be used for activities to address the jurisdiction’s homelessness needs such as: financial assistance with rental payments; security deposits; utility payments or deposits; arrearages; moving costs; and, motel/hotel vouchers; and housing relocation and stabilization services such as case management; outreach and engagement; housing search and placement; legal services; and credit repair.
The project involves installation of approximatley 3000 square feet of Dura-Therm thermaplastic inlay system to create crosswalks at intersection of Wanut Street and Herr, Apple, Pear and 6th Avenue. Also included is Architectural Barrier Removal at street/sidewalk corners by demolishing and installing ADA compliant curb cut ramps and sidewalks in Myerstown Borough; Palmyra Borough, and West Lebanon Township.
Resurfacing and Safety improvements on US Route 22 from Lincoln School Road to Lancaster Street including State Route 72 interchange in East Hanover, Union and Swatara Townships
The project will provide supportive housing to include short term rental assistance (three to six months) for families who are homeless or in threat to becoming homeless as a result of wage reduction, job loss, and/or chronic illness. Financial literacy training will be provided and employment-related services will expand to provide day care assistance and establishment of a computer lab for clients currently enrolled in Work Ready, Bridge Housing and Transitional Housing programs.
* Totals reflect only funding flowing through state agencies.
Direct Benefits to Families
How PA Benefits
People Helped in Lebanon County
Explanation of Benefits
Reporting as of
Food Assistance
14,001
The Recovery Act will help low income individuals and families with a 13.69% increase in the maximum Food Stamp (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP) benefit. It also suspends the 3 month limit on assistance for many unemployed childless adults.
March 2010
Health Insurance
18,697
Low income children and adults will continue to have access to health care through Medical Assistance.
March 2010
Health Insurance for Unemployed
5,000
The Recovery Act will help make health care available to individuals who are involuntarily separated from their jobs. A COBRA subsidy will pay 65 percent of the monthly premium for individuals earning less than $145,000 and couples earning less than $290,000.
March 2010
Taxpayer Relief
62,855
Individuals earning up to $75,000 will receive a $400 tax credit in 2009 and 2010. Married couples filing jointly and earning up to $150,000 will receive a $800 tax credit.
October 2009
Unemployment Compensation
6,500
The Recovery Act will help these Pennsylvanians with a $25 per week increase in unemployment benefits through the rest of the year. It also provides additional weeks of benefits.
March 2010
All numbers are estimates, and will fluctuate over time.
The Stimulus Oversight Commission reviews, monitors and advises PA’s plans for stimulus spending to assure that citizens get the best from the program. Learn more.
Hotline
Concerned about suspected illegal or irresponsible actions regarding Recovery spending? Call 877-888-7927. Learn more.
Do you want to view Recovery project contracts?
Contracts awarded for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds by state agencies are posted online through the Pennsylvania Treasury’s office. Search for ARRA contracts.
