State Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe, announced Wednesday that a number of townships and projects in the West End will receive LSA grants for 2017.

"These are all worthy projects," said Rader. "It is less money than we were able to award in the past, but every bit helps."The largest share of the money, $271,000, will go to Eldred Township to help with the replacement of the Gower Road bridge."It is hard for small townships to fund these projects by themselves," Rader said. "Bridges are very expensive."The Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company will receive $127,732 to replace outdated hoses and to purchase extrication kits.Rader said volunteer fire departments are "often are squeezed by state and federal mandates. They often have a hard time coming up with the money that they need to update their equipment."Other projects in the West End include $91,500 to repair the roof of American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert. The post will also be adding ADAcompliant updates to the facility.The West End Regional Park will also receive $33,055 toward the new dog park.Rader thanked Sen. Mario Scavello, R-40, for working with him to help secure the grants.