Water and sewer projects in Blair County will receive $3.5 million in state assistance after the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a large slate of proposals this week.

The CFA administers Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

According to the Shapiro administration, 415 projects for a total of $105.6 million were approved in the PA Small Water and Sewer program, while 209 programs for a total of $214.5 million were approved in the H2O PA Water Supply, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water program. A total of 394 projects, valued at $15 million, were approved in the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program.

The Blair Township Water and Sewer Authority will receive more than $2.5 million for construction of a wastewater system extension to and acquisition of land along Reservoir Road, according to state Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg, and state Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair.

Other projects include $690,000 for Gaysport and Penn Farms stormwater improvements in Hollidaysburg Borough; nearly $200,000 for stormwater improvements along Patrick Lane and Dublin Street in Newry Borough and nearly $73,000 for improvements to the Williamsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant in Catharine Township.

“These are competitive grants,” Gregory said, “so the credit for making this happen goes to the township supervisors and borough council members who initiated the grant application process.”

Residents of three Clearfield County municipalities also benefit from the water and sewer infrastructure grants, said state Rep. Dallas Kephart, R-Clearfield.

The Houtzdale Municipal Authority has been awarded a more than $1 million grant to upgrade and repair damaged pipes and existing service tanks in the Beccaria and Woodward townships (as well as Rush Township, Centre County) service areas. Additionally, the Clearfield Municipal Authority will receive a more than $53,000 grant to address leak detection at their Lawrence Township wastewater lift station.

In Cambria County, the Gallitzin Water Authority will receive $446,516 to assist in rehabilitation of one water tank and replacement of one water tank in Gallitzin Township, while the Ebensburg Municipal Authority will receive $1 million to construct a stormwater collection and conveyance system in Ebensburg Borough. The Ebensburg authority will also receive $187,250 to assist with Ogden Tank improvements in Jackson Township.

The Nanty Glo Water Authority was awarded $205,923 to replace the Edwards Street waterline in Nanty Glo Borough.

Reade Township Municipal Authority will receive $174,038 for pressure-reducing valve vault rehabilitation, while the Huston Township Municipal Authority was awarded $75,000 to rehabilitate two water tanks.

In Bedford County, $420,000 has been awarded to the Bedford Township Municipal Authority for the Friendship Village pump station replacement project.

Arts, culture grants

The PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program provides grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts and arts and culture professionals to ensure the stability and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Projects in the region receiving those grants include:

— Community Art Center of Cambria County, $20,969 for operating and marketing expenses for the Arts Organization in Westmont Borough.

— Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, $99,000 to distribute pandemic recovery payments to arts and culture professionals in Westmoreland, Fayette, Somerset, Cambria, Bedford and Blair counties.

— Cresson Lake Playhouse, $10,000 to fund operating costs for its performing arts organization located in Loretto Borough.

— Discovery Space of Central PA Inc., $32,447 for operating expenses for the Science and Technology Center in Ferguson Township, Centre County.

— Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, $28,360 to help cover operating expenses.

— Mountain Playhouse, $25,859 to help cover operating expenses.

— Pennsylvania Humanities Council, $80,280 to establish new programs and marketing.

— ArtsAltoona, $10,000 for operating and marketing costs for the organization.

— Altoona Symphony Society Inc., $14,524 to offset lost revenue and for operating and marketing expenses for the orchestra.

— Blair County Historical Society, $10,000 to offset lost revenue and operating costs.

— Huntingdon County Arts Council, $10,000 to establish new programs and marketing.

— Centre Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra Society, $10,000 to offset lost revenue.

— Blair Railroaders Heritage Corp, $22,989 to offset lost revenue.

— Southern Alleghenies Museum Of Art, $32,570 to fund operating costs for the five art museum facilities located in Blair, Bedford, Cambria and Westmoreland counties.

— The BottleWorks Inc., $17,517 to cover operational costs.