Three organizations in the 35th Senatorial District have been awarded a total of $1.5 million in state grants to create jobs, improve access to health care and promote higher education in the district, according to Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35).
Langerholc said grants were awarded to the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Ebensburg and Mount Aloysius College through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program (RACP). RACP is administered by the Commonwealth’s Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.
“The funding will enable these organizations to serve more area residents through additional programs and services, while creating jobs and improving the quality of life for our area,” Langerholc said. “I’m pleased that this investment is coming to our area and will make it a better place to live, work and raise a family.”
The following grants were awarded:
$500,000 for Phase III of the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA’s expansion and upgrade project. The funding will enable the YMCA to upgrade and expand their facility in order to better serve the area’s residents. It will allow for the addition of a dedicated youth center to the existing YMCA facility and the installation of a warm water therapeutic pool, which will provide numerous health and wellness benefits.
“The grant will enable the YMCA to offer more services to at-risk youth and provide aquatic rehabilitative therapy programs that target the aging population and persons who have suffered brain, spinal cord and other injuries,” Langerholc said. “The additional building improvements to be made as part of this third phase will ensure that the Johnstown YMCA continues to serve area residents for generations to come.”
$500,000 to the Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center to begin Phase II construction activities to build a new ambulatory care center in Ebensburg. The new center is expected to replace the current, much older and inefficient facility. Additionally, a broad range of diagnostic services will be available including imaging, pharmacy and rehabilitation services.
“There is a serious community need to develop a stand-alone, sustainable ambulatory care center in the Ebensburg area which can provide convenient care to potential patients,” Langerholc said. “This new facility will provide more physician and hospital services to a larger geographic area. It will also allow better patient access and more evening and weekend hours to serve rural and remote populations.”
$500,000 to Mount Aloysius College to provide a state-of-the-art educational experience at the school, which has gained national recognition in recruiting, retaining and graduating lower-income and first-generation students. The funding will be used for the construction of the Learning Center for Health Science and Technology.
“This is a top priority for one of Cambria County’s largest employers and will provide greater resources to students in health-related majors, many of whom choose to stay and work in this area,” Langerholc said.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando (717) 599-1164