Northampton County approves LSA grant applications for Lafayette College and Suburban EMS

Northampton County Council on Dec. 4 unanimously approved two resolutions authorizing the county to submit Local Share Account (LSA) grant applications and serve as a pass-through grantee: one on behalf of Lafayette College for a proposed Easton College Hill escarpment trail, and one on behalf of Suburban EMS to purchase a 2026 ambulance and related equipment.

Lafayette College: Mary Wilford Hunt and a colleague presented a map and described a roughly 3,000-foot escarpment trail segment to connect campus to regional networks and Easton's West Ward. Hunt said the project would close gaps in the trail network and estimated the total cost at "just under $1,000,000." Council voted 9 to 0 to authorize submission of an LSA application for up to $1,000,000 and designated the county executive and the county DCED director as signatories to facilitate the grant application.

Suburban EMS: Jeff Young explained Suburban EMS's coverage across 14 Northampton County communities, the shift toward grant reliance and operational costs that exceed insurance reimbursement. He asked the council to support an LSA request for $260,290 to buy a 2026 Ford E-350 ambulance with power-load equipment and P25 radios. Council unanimously approved the application and designated county signatories.

Council members and staff noted that LSA awards are competitive and often receive partial funding; Tina Smith (county staff) said applicants typically lobby state legislators for support and "nobody really ever gets the full amount" given high demand. The approvals authorize county staff to execute application documents and act as pass-through if awards are made.

Ending: The resolutions authorize staff to proceed with grant applications and to execute documents if awards are granted; council members encouraged applicants to seek letters of support from local legislators and to prepare for partial awards.