Sen. Musto, Rep. Yudichak, announce $2.5 million in funding  to Earth Conservancy for local project

HARRISBURG, June 10 - Senator Raphael Musto and  Rep. John Yudichak today announced that the Earth Conservancy has been awarded nearly $2.5 million in state funding for the Huber III Reclamation Project.

Yudichak said the funding will allow the Earth Conservancy to reclaim and rehabilitate thousands of acres of former coal mining land in Luzerne County. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to conservation
and land revitalization in the Wyoming Valley.

"The allocation of these funds to the Earth Conservancy represents the type of investments Pennsylvania needs to make in order to create good jobs for area residents," Yudichak said. "By revitalizing old industrial
sites that are already in place, we are using smart growth planning and conserving the open spaces we have left."

The funding, a $1.1 million grant and a loan for nearly $1.4 million, was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Business In Our Sites program. The Commonwealth Financing Authority is a
seven-member board created to administer and fund projects included in the programs passed by the General Assembly in 2004 as part of the governor's economic stimulus package to support economic growth and job
creation in Pennsylvania.

"The large culm banks at this site have long been an eyesore that has negatively impacted this community's ability to attract viable businesses to the Hanover Industrial Estates. We are thankful for the funds awarded to Earth Conservancy through the Business in Our Sites program and to Representative Yudichak and Senator Musto for their role in creating important programs like this that will benefit the
community's environment and economy," said Michael A. Dziak, president
and CEO of Earth Conservancy.

Musto said the Earth Conservancy will use the funds for excavation, grading, erosion and sedimentation control, and the installation of storm water drainage facilities.
 

"I am very excited about this project," Musto said. "The work that the Earth Conservancy will be doing is critical to the future development of the site."

In addition to Business In Our Sites, the CFA oversees funding for the First Industries Fund, the Tax Increment Financing Guarantee, New PA Venture Capital Investment, New Pennsylvania Venture Guarantee,
PennWorks, Building PA and the Second Stage Loan programs. More information about the CFA and other business-friendly initiatives in Pennsylvania is available online at www.inventpa.com

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