Nelson: Grant Provides Bulletproof Squad Car to Local Department

March 18, 2026

HARRISBURG – Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) today announced that $83,000 in funding has been awarded to South Greensburg for the purchase of the county's first ballistically protected police vehicle. The grant award is one of several amounting to nearly $350,000 being invested in several community improvement projects in the 57th Legislative District.

“Credit to South Greensburg's mayor and council for navigating the process, as grants funded through proceeds from Live! Casino Pittsburgh have helped our county tremendously. I'm proud to prioritize officer safety and hope ballistic-proof vehicles become the standard rather than the exception,” Nelson said. “All of the grants approved today make our local communities better places to live and I am happy to have worked with Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) to move these projects toward completion.”

“Being part of this project with Rep. Nelson and Sen. Ward has been a real pleasure and a benefit to South Greensburg,” said South Greensburg Mayor Kevin Fajt. “Securing the first ballistic police car in Westmoreland County is nothing short of amazing.” 

The grants, known as Local Share Account (LSA) grants, were approved and awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency that holds fiduciary responsibility over Pennsylvania’s economic growth programs and investments. LSA grants are derived from gaming revenues.

Additional grants awarded include:

• City of Greensburg – $85,000 to replace equipment at Valley Vue Park, in the Northmont neighborhood.
• Feeding the Spirit - $11,903 to improve parking and building access at the organization’s facility that assists those in need with meal distribution and wrap-around services. 
• Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity – $52,917 to purchase a hauling vehicle.
• Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center – $50,000 to purchase a bucket truck to be used by students training on utility line work. (Thanks to Rep. Eric Davanzo for his shared support of the vehicle grant.)
• Southwest Greensburg – $41,111 to improve public accessibility to borough offices.
• Youngwood Borough – $25,821 to purchase fire hose and a forcible entry training door system to be used by Youngwood Volunteer Hose Company No. 1.