SCRANTON — Chabad of the Abingtons was approved for a $15,000 grant for the construction of a community playground by the Lackawanna County Commissioners’ Community Re-Invest Program. The funding will cover half of the playground’s cost of $30,000.

It is one of eight new projects approved for the program, focusing on such areas as youth activities, recreation, public safety, veterans and outdoor improvements. The program funding totals $80,500.

Since the Community Re-Invest Program was established in July of 2013, the commissioners approved grants for 94 projects totaling $1,374,975. The program provides the “last mile” funding to help complete the initiatives, allowing the community projects to come to fruition. The total amount of public-private investment in all of these ventures is $6,629,173.

Other projects approved for funding during this round are as follows.

• Hill Neighborhood Association Inc. will receive $10,000 toward a $70,000 vacant lot revitalization project. It involves the preparation of a program of land use, landscape installations, and environmental management for 17 vacant lots within the historic hill neighborhood.

• Friendship House was approved for $15,000 toward its $274,628 in building and grounds improvements, including a parking lot expansion, office renovations and restroom facilities.

• Connell Park Little League gains $6,000 for the replacement of an exhaust fan in its food stand, costing a total of $12,000.

• Cottage Hose Company is receiving $6,000 to help replace a 25-year-old heating and air conditioning unit with a more energy efficient ductless system with a total cost of $20,000.

• Madisonville Independent Fire Department was approved for $8,500 toward a $17,000 project replacing a 30-year-old roof with a metal one.

• Whitmore Hose Company in Mayfield receives $10,000 toward a $145,647 fire house addition.

• Moosic Little League is granted $10,000 for the $30,000 construction of Farm System Field dugouts, replacement of a water line, installation of drainage, construction of handicap accessible ramps and batting cage improvements.

Projects will continue to be reviewed and funded throughout 2015. Boroughs, municipalities, townships and nonprofit entities may submit applications for projects that are ready to start so the Community Re-Invest Program can help to successfully complete them.

For Abington Journal

Information provided by Lackawanna County Communications.