REP. CARTWRIGHT ANNOUNCES $4.3 MILLION FOR LOCAL OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY CENTER

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced Lehman Township will receive $4,324,950 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a rural development investment to finance a new community food pantry and senior center to better serve Monroe and Pike counties.

The Bushkill Outreach and Community Center will support the growing needs of the region's senior population and will include a multipurpose room, a large general storage room, thrift store, office space, a kitchen pantry and food preparation and distribution rooms.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how many of our friends and neighbors relied on social service agencies and community centers to support themselves and their families. By having the thrift store, kitchen pantry and activities center offer comprehensive services all under the same roof, seniors especially will have an easier time accessing the aid and services they need to thrive," said Rep. Cartwright. "Lehman Township residents will benefit from this wise investment for generations to come, and I am thankful to the Board of Supervisors for working hard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for seniors and all members of the community."

"The Lehman Township Board of Supervisors is excited, appreciative and thankful to receive the USDA funds for the construction of the Bushkill Outreach and Community Center. Once completed, the new facility will better serve the community which has been serving Lehman Township for over 40 years and will continue to do so for future generations," said Robert H. Rohner Jr., Chair of the Lehman Township Board of Supervisors.

"It is great to see a number of agencies coming together to help make this worthy rural project a reality in Lehman Township," said Bob Morgan, State Director for USDA Rural Development. "With the increasing elderly population in the area, it is nice to see Rural Development's Community Facilities program reach those individuals in the community that will benefit most. This proposed facility is essential for the community it serves."

The Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to provide affordable funding to rural municipalities to build and support community facilities that provide essential services. Examples include health care facilities like hospitals and clinics, public facilities like town halls and street improvements, community support services like community centers and childcare centers, and educational services like museums and libraries.

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