Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced Friday that he has secured $4.975 million in federal funding to support three major community projects in Schuylkill County, including $2 million for a new dental college in Tamaqua.

This project funding will support construction of a new rural dental education facility to host 20 dental students completing clinical training in Schuylkill County. The project strengthens access to dental care across underserved rural communities and supports long-term workforce development in the region. This funding, included in the FY26 Agriculture Appropriations legislation recently signed into law, is the result of extensive collaboration and partnership between Congressman Meuser, local officials, and community leaders across the county.

Temple University is planning to open its first rural dental education center and clinic in Tamaqua.

The university’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, along with the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, is hoping to locate the school at the former Rite-Aid at 205 Center St.

Once approved by the Temple University board of trustees, the proposed 24-chair education and clinic center will host 20 dental students who will complete their final two years of training in Tamaqua.

While there, they will provide critical dental services for residents of Schuylkill, Carbon and Luzerne counties.

Plans are to create housing for the students in a now-vacant building on West Broad Street owned by the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.

The Kornberg School of Dentistry is also in discussion with Lehigh Carbon Community College to open a dental hygiene program that will train six to 10 students.

Other projects are:

• Friendship Hose Co. No. 1 New Fire Station, Orwigsburg — $2,225,000

This investment will allow Friendship Hose Co. No. 1 to construct a new, modern fire station on the site of its existing facility. The project will improve emergency response capabilities, increase volunteer recruitment and retention, and ensure safe, updated infrastructure for first responders.

• Shenandoah Center for Health, Education, Business and the Arts — $750,000

This grant will complete the buildout of a new federally qualified health center and business incubator in downtown Shenandoah. The facility will expand access to medical care, support workforce development, and provide space for small-business growth and community programming.

Meuser said, “This nearly $5 million in federal funding my office helped to secure for Schuylkill County will help to improve the lives of the great people who live and work here. These three community projects will strengthen public safety, expand access to healthcare, and support long-term economic revitalization across the county.”

Meuser said he worked closely with community leaders such as the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, as well as state and local elected officials including Senator Dave Argall, Representatives Jamie Barton, and Tim Twardzik, and Commissioners, Boots Hetherington, Larry Padora, and Gary Hess.