Funding Will Create About 45 Jobs for Tobyhanna

TOBYHANNA - Today, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced $2.4 million for Tobyhanna Army Depot for renovations of the Depot's military barracks which houses more than 2,000 military personnel who will train there each year.  The funding will also enable paving work to reduce safety concerns at the Depot.  According to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, this funding from the recovery package is expected to create about 45 new construction jobs at Tobyhanna.  The federal funding was allocated as a result of the recovery package that Congress passed on February 13. 

"Today's announcement shows how funding from the recovery package is helping Tobyhanna Army Depot, the largest military installation in the area, improve its facilities for the military and their families, renovate the barracks for the thousands of military personnel who visit the Depot every year for training purposes, and help to create more jobs at home," said Congressman Kanjorski.  "This important project is another example of the value of the recovery package in stimulating our local economy, and I appreciate the support from Senators Casey and Specter in the voting for the legislation."

Some of the funding will enable significant improvements to continue in the military barracks building to provide modern quarters for Active and Reserve Component military personnel training at Tobyhanna.  It will also allow for a more timely completion of the renovations allowing for improved housing for the thousands of military personnel who train at Tobyhanna every year.

Additionally, the funding from the recovery package will also expedite several paving projects at the Depot that will enhance safety and improve the quality of life for military and civilian personnel working and training at Tobyhanna.  Three paving projects are planned which will improve parking areas to support the growth in workforce at Tobyhanna, reduce a safety concern as the result of traffic congestion on a main thoroughfare, and provide improved grounds for outdoor storage of equipment.

In April, Congressman Kanjorski announced almost $2.8 million for Tobyhanna for repairs and construction for military family housing, upgrades to the water distribution system, and other renovations.  Among other things, the funding would help improve the conditions for military families living in housing at Tobyhanna.  Combined with today's announcement, the recovery package will create about 100 jobs at Tobyhanna for paving, construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.

At the end of September 2008, Congressman Kanjorski helped secure $15 million for Tobyhanna for the installation's finishing center.  The finishing center allows for Tobyhanna to repair, refinish, and paint military machinery after it is used during tours of duty. 

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