Rep. JoAnne Stehr and Sen. Dave Argall announced on May 1 that Keystone Potato Products, LLC in Schuylkill County will receive a $784,350 grant from Pennsylvania’s Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) program.
The grant is intended to help the company install an anaerobic digester and a combined heat and power system at its food manufacturing facility. The project aims to generate clean energy, improve energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and support economic activity in the region.
“Investments like this help strengthen our local economy while supporting key industries that provide jobs in our communities,” Stehr said. “By helping manufacturers upgrade their operations and reduce energy costs, this funding allows businesses to remain competitive and continue growing here in Pennsylvania.”
Argall said manufacturing continues to be a major source of employment locally. “Manufacturing remains one of the strongest drivers of jobs in our region,” Argall said. “I am pleased to see this highly competitive state funding awarded to a local company to help modernize their infrastructure.” According to the official website, Argall has provided constituent services through offices across Pennsylvania, holds degrees from Lycoming College and Pennsylvania State University, supports working-class communities through legislative efforts focused on revitalizing older industrial neighborhoods, chaired the Senate Majority Policy Committee overseeing hearings on education funding issues, represents the 29th District in the state senate, and traces his family roots back to Cornish, Welsh and German farmers as well as coal miners and factory workers.
The RISE PA program is part of a $396 million statewide initiative funded by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The latest round includes more than $267 million for 31 projects throughout Pennsylvania that are expected to reduce over 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions during their first year while saving businesses more than $3 million annually in energy costs.
These investments reflect ongoing efforts by state leaders such as Stehr and Argall to promote economic growth while addressing environmental concerns.
