SHARON, Pa. - Grant funding of $120,000 will allow the city of Sharon to move forward with an innovative plan for repurposing vacant lots.

State Rep. Mark Longietti, D- Mercer, said the funding, administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, is going to build on efforts already underway to revitalize Sharon's landscape.

"This funding is wonderful news for the city of Sharon and complements last month's funding of $150,000 the city received to help with the demolition of 38 fire-damaged properties and preparation of those sites for redevelopment," Longietti said. "Through that funding and other investments, Sharon has already committed significant resources to clearing blight.

"The next step is repurposing those vacant lots before they become breeding grounds for vandalism or waste, and the Lots to Love program provides an innovative strategy for doing just that. Thanks to this new funding from the Housing Finance Agency, the program will now be fully funded, and Sharon can move forward with work that will transform those spaces into places of growth, revitalization and potential. It's exciting news for Sharon's future."

Longietti said funding for the grant comes from state realty transfer taxes.