Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin yesterday joined Senator David Argall, Representative Mike Tobash, and other elected officials to announce the approval of funding to support a comprehensive flood protection project in Pine Grove.
This announcement comes after years of the administration working with the community to secure funding to enable the project to begin.
The $3 million in funding, secured by DCED from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program, will enable Pine Grove to create a floodplain restoration area on land owned by Guilford Mills, a major local employer and project partner.
The project includes developing a naturalized floodplain area on 50 acres of open land east of the Swatara Creek, which would alleviate the majority of the flooding west of the creek, including the heavily populated north end of Pine Grove. Construction and engineering costs are also being supported with just under $3 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“ These funds are a direct result of that plan, all in the hope that one day the communities along Swatara Creek will not suffer from repeated flooding. This flood-remediation project is a major step forward in revitalizing western Schuylkill County ,” said Senator Argall .
“ The flood of 2011 caused many stakeholders, including state and local officials, businesses, and residents, to come together in an effort to reduce the likelihood of flooding in the western region of Schuylkill County ,” Representative Tobash said. “This project to reclaim and restore floodplains in the area of Guilford Mills will make the residents of Pine Grove less susceptible to flooding and bode well for keeping this important employer in our area.”