Erie's Gannon University awarded over $300,000 for stormwater infrastructure upgrade

(UI) — Gannon University, in Erie, Penn., is set to bolster its stormwater infrastructure, thanks to a $308,098 grant announced by state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski, both D-Erie.

The lawmakers said the grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Program will fund the implementation of stormwater best management practices on the university’s campus.

“Protecting our watershed and addressing wastewater and nutrient and sediment reduction is vitally important in Erie County,” said Harkins, who is a member of the Great Lakes Commission. “Properly investing in Erie’s stormwater infrastructure will directly impact the health, safety, and fiscal solvency of our community. These ‘forward-thinking’ type projects will help ensure the next generation of Erie County residents have a solid foundation to continue building upon.”

Merski said: “Being proactive when it comes to stormwater infrastructure is a sound investment as it prevents devastating flooding that could not only result in tremendous damage costing millions of dollars, but also put members of our community in harm’s way. Unfortunately, flooding due to poorly designed and managed stormwater infrastructure is becoming more prevalent across the country. Thankfully, this grant will help ease the stress on our region’s stormwater infrastructure, allowing it to handle more potent storms.”

Enabled over 25 years ago, the Growing Greener Program was put in motion to address Pennsylvania’s critical environmental concerns and has been utilized to assist localized projects in communities across the commonwealth.

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