The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler is waiting for three grant applications totaling $1.6 million to be answered, one of which would help fund the purchase of a pumper truck for the Butler Bureau of Fire.

Veronica Walker, executive director of the authority, said Thursday, Jan. 18, the authority has applied for $300,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development for housing rehabilitation; $350,000 from the PA Housing Affordability Fund also for housing rehabilitation; and $987,545 from the Statewide Local Share Assessment for the pumper truck.

Walker said some of the grants may take time to be reviewed for myriad reasons.

“I do know with the DCED they have a high turnover of staff,” she said, “so I’m assuming that’s what is holding up the grant applications because they are probably training these people.”

The authority’s board of directors met Thursday morning, where Walker also said the authority has a rental unit available after an expected tenant backed out. The unit is three bedrooms, according to Walker.

Other than the grant progress and announcement of the open rental unit, the authority board reviewed financial reports before adjourning, without taking any action.