Westmoreland Review

Rep. Eric Davanzo announced that the Sewickley Township Library has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) to establish a new facility. The library had to relocate to a smaller building in February 2023, resulting in two-thirds of its printed materials being stored away.

Davanzo expressed his support for the project, stating, "The Sewickley Township Library is a resource for many people and, amazingly, they have kept offering programs by partnering with other nonprofits. But it is time for folks to have a library facility that meets their needs." He added that upon learning about the project's details and vision, he contacted the PBDA because he believed in its potential.

The $1 million grant comes from the PBDA’s Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program and is funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. These grants are intended for community institutions to construct or improve facilities accessible to the public, facilitating work, education, and health monitoring.

The new library project will feature dedicated computer spaces for online education, job interviews, or telehealth appointments. Davanzo noted the importance of internet access in rural areas: "Access to high-speed internet has become a significant concern for rural Pennsylvanians and this project is just one of the ways we can fill the gap."