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Bloomfield Borough pursues trail, sewer lining and Main Street grants as EDA readies support
Summary
Bloomfield Borough told Perry County EDA it is working with HRG on a five-year plan to expand a trail (including ADA features) and to pursue a $496,000 sewer grant; borough leaders noted recent ARPA-era grant success but said projects may proceed using local funds if grants are denied.
Bloomfield Borough representatives updated the Perry County Economic Development Authority on a slate of Main Street and infrastructure projects and on their near-term grant strategy.
Speaker 5 said the borough has contracted HRG to develop a five-year strategic plan focused on grant pursuit, naming trail expansion, an ADA-compliant sensory playground and restroom facilities near the sewer plant among priority projects. The borough is seeking coordination with Center Township to acquire ownership or easements for an old fire trail to extend a continuous path toward Little Buffalo.
On funding, Speaker 5 recounted about $800,000 in grant funding obtained over the past four years (including ARPA and other sources) and said Bloomfield recently submitted a PA small sewer application for a $496,000 grant to line remaining Main Street sewer segments; Speaker 5 noted the borough will proceed with funded work using local funds if the grant application is not successful.
Speakers discussed coordinating sewer-lining work and Main Street resurfacing so paving follows sewer operations; Speaker 5 explained lining can be done manhole-to-manhole in stages without major surface cutting, limiting disruption to only a few days per segment. The discussion also flagged a nearby bridge that is 18 inches too short to qualify for funding and may remain closed unless funding or a new arrangement is found.
Speaker 5 cited a traffic study showing more than 1,800 cars per day on a local route, with fewer than 200 daily trips originating from borough residents, reinforcing that the road functions as a commuter route rather than local access only.
The borough reported a recent grant submission (noted as filed "on the thirtieth") and indicated timelines for award notifications extend into the next spring, with multiple years allowed for spending if an award is made. Bloomfield said it has reserves to proceed on Main Street work over three years if external grants are unavailable.
The EDA said it will prioritize the fairgrounds project and continue to coordinate Main Street mini-grants and technical assistance for borough projects.
