LEWISTOWN — Several Mifflin County municipalities will share in more than $1 million in state funding aimed at improving roads, public safety facilities, and recreation areas through the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account and Act 13 programs.

The funding was part of a broader $5.1 million package announced Thursday, benefiting communities across Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, and Mifflin counties. State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and several area representatives, including Kerry Benninghoff (R-171) and David Rowe (R-85), said the competitive grants will help local governments complete long-planned projects without adding financial strain to taxpayers.

“These statewide grant programs are vital tools for municipalities as they seek to improve or repair infrastructure or meet other unique needs,” Benninghoff said. “The projects that are funded will improve the quality of life in local communities.”

In Mifflin County, the most significant awards went to Lewistown Borough and Bratton Township.

Lewistown Borough received $500,000 for upgrades to the City Hook and Ladder Fire Department and $250,000 to continue the historic rehabilitation of the Embassy Theatre.

According to the application, the Hook and Ladder project will include new HVAC and electrical systems, improved ventilation, drainage, and parking lot upgrades. The Embassy Theatre funding will advance Phase 2 of its restoration, focusing on fire suppression, infrastructure repairs, and utilities.

“These investments support both public safety and the preservation of our community’s history,” said Rep. David Rowe, who helped advocate for funding in Mifflin and Juniata counties. “They ease the financial burden on taxpayers while making our region stronger.”

Bratton Township was awarded $200,000 for the Ridge Road Improvement Project, which will include road base repair, shoulder maintenance, and resurfacing along the stretch between Route 103 and Horningford Road.

Penn Township received $100,000 for a new backhoe, part of a broader equipment update effort to improve road maintenance and emergency management capabilities.

The funding is part of the Local Share Account program, which distributes gaming revenue to support community and economic development projects across Pennsylvania.

Elsewhere in Mifflin County, Derry Township secured $105,000 through the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to complete Phase I of the Kishacoquillas Park walking trail project. The improvements include rehabilitation of the one-mile path at Kish Park, a longtime hub for recreation and community events.

The trail project represents the latest investment in the park, which has seen upgrades in recent years through local partnerships and donations. Township officials said the state funding will help complete the first phase of the trail rehabilitation, ensuring the popular route remains safe and usable year-round.

Across the region, neighboring Juniata County also received funding. Delaware Township will construct a new salt shed with its $150,000 award, replacing a deteriorating storage building more than 50 years old.

Other regional projects included a new plow truck in Taylor Township, Fulton County; sewer system upgrades in Perry Township, Snyder County; and facility improvements at fire departments in Blair and Huntingdon counties.

“These grants make a direct impact,” Ward said. “They help small communities complete projects that would otherwise take years of saving or borrowing. That’s especially important for rural counties like ours.”

Officials said the projects collectively strengthen local infrastructure, boost recreation, and help preserve historic and cultural landmarks. The Embassy Theatre project, for example, continues a multiyear effort to restore the 1920s downtown venue for community and performing arts use.

In Bratton Township, supervisors said the Ridge Road work will enhance safety and reduce long-term maintenance costs along one of the area’s key rural routes.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority, which oversees both programs, was established in 2004 as an independent agency under the Department of Community and Economic Development. The Local Share Account program uses gaming revenue, while Act 13 funds come from Pennsylvania’s impact fee on natural gas drilling.

“These investments are smart and community-driven,” Ward said. “They reflect collaboration between local leaders and the state to ensure that even our smallest towns have the resources they need to thrive.”

For residents, that means smoother roads, improved emergency response, safer public spaces, and preserved local landmarks — tangible signs of progress across Mifflin County’s boroughs and townships.