Keystone Today

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that, thanks to President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the state of Pennsylvania has been awarded $2.88 million to assist rural public schools, roads and other municipal services.

According to an April 15 release by Gov. Wolf’s office, the funding is part of a commitment of $238 million by the Biden Administration through the Secure Rural Schools Program. These are federal funds that were reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023.

“Pennsylvania is home to tremendous natural resources, and many of our rural communities are strongly connected to these natural resources that are on federal land,” said Gov. Wolf. “This funding will help strengthen these communities and I applaud the Biden Administration for recognizing the importance of supporting those rural areas by ensuring the maintenance of local roads and schools and other infrastructure near federal land.”

The Forest Service has distributed $2.6 billion through the Secure Rural Schools program over the past decade. The payment amount for each state is decided by a number of factors outlined in the BIL.

The release said that the Forest Service retains part of the funds through the Secure Rural Schools program that supports projects focused on improving forest conditions as well as supporting jobs in rural communities. Projects are reviewed and recommended by resource advisory committees that comprise residents with a variety of expertise.