Centre County wins $1.2 million CDBG award to replace aging Eagle Creek treatment plant

Centre County officials announced that the Eagle Creek Sewer Project has been awarded approximately $1.2 million in competitive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to replace an aging on‑site wastewater treatment plant and connect the mobile home community to the Mid‑Centre County Authority public sewer system.

Leslie, a representative of the regional CDBG administrator, said the project scope includes installing roughly 2,800 feet of force main, construction of a new pump station with backup generator and abandoning the old treatment plant. "Without this grant funding HOA fees would have risen nearly 279% for the 33 Eagle Creek residents," Leslie said, describing the award as "a major win for Centre County."

Ray of the county planning office told commissioners the community has pursued CDBG funding multiple times and that the project’s total cost is estimated at about $1.5 million to $1.8 million. Commissioners noted the county allocated additional CDBG funds (about $281,264 after administrative costs) and homeowners’ contributions of at least $60,000 to reach project funding.

Officials said CDACOG will proceed with executing contracts and the environmental review, a process that can take up to 90 days; engineering design and a bid process are expected next, with construction potentially bid by late spring or early summer and an estimated construction timeline of roughly 12 weeks. "I really don't see a reason why this wouldn't be complete by the end of next year," Leslie said, while noting some schedule uncertainty due to weather and other factors.

Commissioners praised staff and regional partners for persistent work securing competitive funding. The board did not take a separate vote on the grant award during the public meeting; the award announcement and next steps were presented for information and planning.