Marty Culp, Saxonburg Area Authority worker, is seen through piping as he cuts a pipe for a municipal infrastructure grant to replace some of the piping on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

The $11.7 million in municipal infrastructure awards handed out by the Butler County commissioner were just a fraction of the $68 million for needed work requested by local governments.

Commissioners, forced to chose among so many applicants, sought projects that were “shovel ready.” The winners — including a collaborative effort between municipalities in southwestern Butler County — were 30 municipalities and municipal authorities with individual grants ranging from more than $1 million to nearly $30,000.

“The requests far exceeded what we had available,” said Leslie Osche, county commissioners chairwoman.

Infrastructure projects mostly repair or mend behind-the-scenes structures that improve community residents’ quality of life. Replacing box culverts to reduce flooding, buying pumps or replacing clay pipes for sewage systems, or clearing erosion to improve water quality are all examples of projects that received funding.

Osche said grants were spread to as many municipalities and authorities as possible in all regions of the county.

“We did a good job of taking a look at the applications to make sure they met the requirements of the funding and looking for other opportunities,” Osche said. “We made sure grants were given to all regions to be fair and to cover as many municipalities and authorities as possible.”

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