Kelly presents Crawford County fire department with Community Project Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Thursday, April 2, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) presented West Mead #1 Volunteer Fire Department with $400,077 for a critical public safety project benefitting communities in Crawford County.

"Local volunteer firefighters do so much for our communities, all without receiving a paycheck. They are incredible public servants," said Rep. Kelly. "These funds will help the department serve West Mead Township, Meadville, and all Crawford County. These are taxpayer dollars at work in our local communities."

This new pumper/tanker would replace the current pumper that is 30 years old and does not have the capacity to service mutual aid partners that do not have access to a municipal water system. This new pumper tanker would increase capacity from 1,000 gallons of water to 2,500 gallons of water and provide the ability to inject a foam solution into the water that would increase effectiveness 3-5 times.

Call volume increased by 25% from 2021 to 2023 for West Mead #1, and this new pumper/tanker would allow them to carry out their critical emergency services duties effectively and efficiently.

BACKGROUND

Congressional leaders resumed Community Project Funding (CPF), formerly known as 'earmarks', for the 119th Congress. With increased transparency and stricter guidelines, lawmakers were permitted to submit up to fifteen (15) funding requests during the appropriations process. Rep. Kelly fielded input from local leaders throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania before selecting these projects.

Details on CPF rules and guidelines can be found here.

This funding comes after Rep. Kelly secured more than $50 million in Community Project Funding requests from 2022-2024.

In 2020, Rep. Kelly also delivered two BUILD Grants for the 16th Congressional District, including $25 million for improvements along State Route 228 in Butler County, and $21 million for the City of Erie's Bayfront Parkway Project. In 2018, he also secured a BUILD Grant for the State Route 228 project worth $20 million.