Oct. 15, 2024

HARRISBURG – Rep. Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland) today announced the Sewickley Township Library has been awarded a Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) grant that will be used to establish a new facility. In February of 2023, the library was forced to move to a much smaller building, requiring the library to put two-thirds of its printed materials into storage.

“The Sewickley Township Library is a resource for many people and, amazingly, they have kept offering programs by partnering with other nonprofits. But it is time for folks to have a library facility that meets their needs,” said Davanzo. “Upon hearing the details and vision of this project, I immediately opened communications with the PBDA, knowing they would see the same potential I did.”

The $1 million grant is offered by the PBDA’s Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program. It is funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, which was established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Grants were made available to community institutions for projects to construct, acquire, or improve facilities that are open to the public and will directly enable work, education and health monitoring.

Aside from having programs return to the library’s facility, the project will include dedicated computer spaces that will allow users to engage in online education, participate in a job interview or meet with a doctor for a telehealth appointment.

“Access to high-speed internet has become a significant concern for rural Pennsylvanians and this project is just one of the ways we can fill the gap,” said Davanzo. “This is precisely the purpose of this grant program, and it is great to see this come together.”

Representative Eric Davanzo
58th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724-875-8450
RepDavanzo.com / Facebook.com/RepDavanzo
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