CLEARFIELD – Like local townships and boroughs, Clearfield County has received an influx of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help deal with COVID pandemic-related and other allowable expenses.

The county’s board of commissioners “saw this as not only a great opportunity to address some internal county infrastructure needs, but also a chance to invest in some high-priority infrastructure projects in the county,” states a previously-issued press release.

As such the commissioners surveyed local municipalities seeking high-priority projects in which to invest their ARPA funds.

In response the county received 70 projects from 36 different entities, said Jodi Brennan, planning director, during a February commissioners’ workshop meeting.

While some projects were in preliminary stages with no price estimates available, those who did supply price estimates were valued just under $97 million, she said.

“The sheer number of projects combined with the estimated cost of $97 million dollars demonstrate the overwhelming infrastructure needs that go unmet in the county.”

This made the process for project selection very competitive, and criteria were established and used to help narrow down the final projects selected, Brennan explained.

Such criteria included high-priority infrastructure needs, return on investment, leverage of additional investment, long-term solutions and replacement/rehabilitation over routine maintenance.

The county has been working with the following list of entities to develop a sound scope of work, according to Commissioner Dave Glass.

And, on Tuesday, the commissioners formally approved infrastructure funding awards to 10 entities, totaling $1,375,000.

The county’s allocations are as follows:

• Karthaus Township, bridge replacement, $200,000
• Brady Township, digester tank replacement at sewage plant, $50,000
• Brady Township-Troutville Borough Water Association, water system improvements, $150,000
• Burnside Township, Shepard Lane Bridge replacement, $200,000
• Sandy Township, sewer line replacement, $200,000
• Clearfield Borough, storm line replacement and small water projects, $200,000
• Cooper Township Municipal Authority, water meter/line replacement, $150,000
• Curwensville Borough, stormwater drainage, $100,000
• Girard Township Municipal Authority, grinder pump replacement, $25,000
• Grampian Borough, Sixth Street drainage improvements, $100,000

The commissioners, however, will continue to work through their prioritized project list as funds allow, Glass noted.