Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Says $6 Million State Investment Giving Bloomsburg Residents, Local Business Peace of Mind

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today said Bloomsburg residents will be safer and a local company, Kawneer Manufacturing, will be able to continue operating when the Susquehanna River floods now that a $6 million flood mitigation project has been completed.

"The new floodwall will protect residents and businesses in Bloomsburg," Governor Rendell said. "That particularly applies to Kawneer, which will not only be protected, but it will be able to continue doing business if there is another flood. This investment was one of the first to be approved under the historic H2O PA water infrastructure renewal program and it has proven to be money well spent. All state investments made by H2O PA are crucial in providing communities with much needed upgrades to their water and wastewater systems."

The Kawneer Manufacturing Co. received a $6 million grant from the H2O PA fund. The money was used to construct a levee and wall system around the Kawneer plant to protect its facilities. The company is the leading manufacturer of architectural aluminum building products and systems for the commercial construction industry.

"This new levee has created a second access to the plant, which will allow it to remain open and operational during a flood," said DCED Executive Deputy Secretary John Blake. "This project highlights Governor Rendell's commitment to investing in the safety and security of our communities and residents."

Governor Rendell signed the $800 million H2O PA program into law in July 2008, and the first $46 million from the fund was released in May. A total of $13.6 million in H2O flood control funds have been invested in projects in Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Indiana, Northumberland, Tioga and Westmoreland counties.

For more information about the H2O PA program, call 1-866-466-3972 or visit www.newpa.com.

    Media contacts:
    Theresa Elliott, DCED; 717-787-1132
    Michael Smith, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

http://www.governor.state.pa.us

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