(File Photo of the Center at the Mall Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced today that it is awarding $3 million to 422 senior community centers across the state.

The funding includes $2 million in competitive grants and $1 million in non-competitive grants that will be distributed among centers that did not apply for competitive funding.

According to the department, the competitive grants can be used for projects such as facility improvements, technology upgrades, nutrition services and new health and recreation programs.

State officials said the non-competitive grants were added during Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration and continue to be distributed annually to eligible senior community centers.

The funding was appropriated by the General Assembly and is supported through proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery.

The Center at the Mall was given $71,880 to support its programs and services.