State Funds Bring Cameras and Infrastructure Investments to Union County

State Senator Gene Yaw posted a year-end round-up on Dec. 30 detailing 2025 accomplishments and priorities for 2026 that include tangible investments for Union County-area communities. The most immediate local impact is the allocation of nearly $150,000 to the Mifflinburg Police Department to purchase body-worn cameras and automated license-plate readers, equipment officials say will modernize policing and evidence collection.

Yaw’s release places that award within a larger package of state support for the region. The post references more than $1.1 million in state funding directed to municipal projects, fire and emergency medical services, and local health services. It also highlights 2025 legislative work on energy and grid reliability, efforts to expand broadband connectivity, and investments in roads and other local infrastructure.

For residents of Union County, the funding has both practical and civic implications. New body-worn cameras are likely to affect policing practices and public interactions with officers, while automated license-plate readers may change how vehicles are monitored for public-safety purposes. Funding for fire, EMS and health projects aims to bolster emergency response capabilities in rural communities where access and travel times can be significant factors in outcomes.

Broadband and infrastructure investments can influence everyday life beyond emergency services. Expanded high-speed internet supports telehealth, remote work, and education, while grid reliability work addresses concerns about power stability that affect homes and small businesses. Workforce development commitments in the senator’s 2026 agenda seek to align training with local employment needs, a priority in largely rural counties working to retain and attract younger workers.

Yaw’s stated priorities for the coming year include advancing energy and grid resilience, increasing mental-health access in rural areas, and continuing support for public safety and workforce programs. Implementation of the announced grants and projects will depend on local planning and procurement processes, and residents should expect municipal notices about timelines, public meetings and opportunities for community input.

The round-up underscores a continued focus at the state level on pairing infrastructure funding with service improvements in rural regions. For Union County, the immediate result is targeted investment in public safety equipment and a broader pipeline of funds aimed at strengthening essential services and economic opportunity.