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/.
This program deals with 2 of the 3 Lower Macungie Township buildings, the Municipal Office Building and Annex. Both buildings are 50 plus years old with multiple additions, most with original building systems. Oil fired boilers at both Office/Annex 1. Lighting: In the office and garage use T12 fluorescent tube technology. The proposed energy efficiency improvement plan is to use T5 retrofit kits. Projected electricity savings 62%; 2. Heating/Air Conditioning: Replace boilers at both Office and Annex, replace garage heating system. Moving to gas at the Annex, away from oil and reduction of carbon footprint; 3. Garage Doors Replacement: Doors have an R_value of approximately 6.8, replacement have an R_value of 16.4; 4. Insulation: Attic area in the office building is insulated very poorly. Area heated as well. Dramatic decrease in heating requirements expected. Estimated Energy Savings equals Electricity savings 62%.
Upper Macungie Township proposes to convert existing incandescent traffic signals to LED traffic signals at 18 intersections within the Township to save on maintenance and energy costs. This would account for a 70% savings in energy use and a 75% reduction in maintenance costs. The Township also proposes to upgrade an inefficient oil based HVAC system at their Independent Park recreation site to a more efficient heat pump unit. Finally, the Township proposes to upgrade the inefficient HVAC system at the Public Works Garage with a high efficiency natural gas based unit. The proposed comprehensive project will help generate temporary jobs to complete the proposed work and help save the Township revenue to retain existing staff and hire new permanent staff for future needs. Environmental benefits such as air emission reductions are also attainable. Estimated Energy Savings equals Park Site 65% in utility costs; Garage: an additional 25% savings w/ upgrades.
Replace 838 existing lights in 3 parking garages with energy efficient lighting. Currently the garages are at least 25 years old and at most 50 years old. The majority of the lights are original and inefficient. At Spiral Deck, the Allentown Parking Authority (APA), through contract, will replace over 500 of HALO High Output Flourescent lights, at 9th & Walnut and 600 Linden, the APA through contract, will replace High Pressure Sodium with induction lighting. Expected reduction in electrical demand and savings of 55% overall.
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.
Project to provide new well replace hydro tanks and provide hookup for emergency power. The service area is an existing mobile home community. The Township's median income of $60,618, while above the state's average, is probably not representative of that of the mobile home community. Water costs are billed with the lot rental fee.
A three million gallon Flow Equalization Tank with associated Mixing System, and an Odor Control System. The median household income of the service area is greater than the statewide median household income. User rates are expected to increase 12%.
Replace existing well stations, install pitless adaptors/raise casings, provide storage (2 with 5,000 gallon hydro tanks, 1 with storage/pump station), install contact pipe, install new electric/control equipment, install emergency generators, and install security fencing.The median household income of the service area is about 141% that of the statewide median household income. User rates are expected to remain at $471.
Replace approximately 29,000 linear feet of 8 vitrified clay pipe and 16,000 linear feet of 6 lateral pipe including wyes and lining approximately 12,700 linear feet of existing 8 pipe for a total of 41,700 linear feet of sewer main. The median household income of the Borough is about 90% that of the state average. User rates are not expected to increase.
The "green" quantitative elements include a 1,350 square foot vegetative green roof for evapo-transpiration and evaporation and a 1,500 gallon storage system to harvest rainwater for use in building components using non-potable water.
Milling, patching, resurfacing and curb ramps on Broad Street from Terrace Avenue to Eaton Avenue and on Pennsylvania Avenue from Broad Street to Railroad Overpass in the City of Bethlehem
Restoration of State Route 378 to include widening, resurfacing, pipe replacement, guide rail update, drainage improvements, sign replacement and bridge safety improvements from the Northampton County line to State Route 309 in Upper Saucon and Center Val
* Totals reflect only funding flowing through state agencies.
Direct Benefits to Families
How PA Benefits
People Helped in Lehigh County
Explanation of Benefits
Reporting as of
Food Assistance
40,031
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
58,143
Low income children and adults will continue to have access to health care through Medical Assistance.
March 2010
Health Insurance for Unemployed
16,800
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
161,681
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
16,700
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.
