HARRISBURG - Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Carbon/Luzerne) announced funding for two projects in Carbon County.

The first is a $1,506,400 loan, awarded to the Tuthill Corporation through the Commonwealth Financing Agency, to gain access to natural gas, and construct a Combined Heat and Power Plant at the Blue Mountain Ski Resort; while the second is a PEDA grant, in the amount of $750,000, which will be used in the creation of a solar park in Nesquehoning."I am proud to see money going to these great projects in Carbon County," Heffley said. "I support an all-of-the-above approach to energy, which includes solar, natural gas and the use of coal. Carbon County residents will benefit from the jobs and power created by this solar plant."In addition, the project at Blue Mountain Ski Area will help in the creation of a water park, allowing the resort to become a four-season destination and to spur economic growth and job creation," he said."Each of these projects receiving funding demonstrates the diverse energy portfolio we have here in Pennsylvania. The solar park will provide clean energy to over 1,200 homes locally and potentially drive economic development in Nesquehoning," Yudichak said. "The Blue Mountain Ski Area is already a huge asset to Carbon County tourism in the winter months and this state funding package will help create jobs and turn the resort into a year-round asset fueled by Pennsylvania's abundant natural gas resources."The power plant project will also benefit from a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA).The water park project at Blue Mountain Ski Area also will include the construction of a hotel. Both projects involve the creation of 22 full-time jobs and 692 seasonal positions.According to plans for the solar park project in Nesquehoning, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to power 1,200 homes per year and cut CO2 emissions by 9,700 tons.In addition, the project is expected to bring new jobs to the area.