Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. presented Pike County with $40,000 in funding for a community project on Thursday (10/12) at a news conference at the Pike County Courthouse in Milford.

The funding is part of PP&L's Community Partnership Program to address the needs of communities in the utility's 10,000-square-mile service area. The program focuses on urban revitalization, affordable housing and support for small businesses.

"The funding helps demonstrate our continued commitment to helping the communities we serve meet increasing needs," said Bill Bergstresser, PP&L's Honesdale-area community development director. "Initiatives like these help reaffirm the integral role we play in community development and the value of promoting prosperity in our service area."

Bergstresser said the company received 71 proposals for funding from numerous organizations throughout PP&L's 29-county service area in Central Eastern Pennsylvania. One was from Pike County. PP&L will fund 41 projects sponsored by 39 different agencies.

The Pike County project to be funded is:

• Affordable Housing — $40,000
  To offer closing cost assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Pike County.

"We recognize there are many issues that need support of this kind," Bergstresser said. "Through our Community Partnership Program, we're willing to step up to the plate to help as many organizations as possible.

"Our business is our communities," he added. "To the extent we invest in their financial health, our long-term corporate health improves, too. Putting forth these kind of initiatives helps us effectively partner with communities to address real needs and improve quality of life."

Funding for PP&L's Community Partnership Program comes from shareowners The company will continue the program for the next three years on a pilot basis. After that, PP&L will re-evaluate the program. Funding for local projects will be considered annually.