Greenville is seeking millions of dollars from the 2003 federal appropriations budget, and could learn by October whether it is to receive some of the billions that communities across the country are clamoring for.

"We are hopeful the end result could be in the couple-million dollar range," said State Sen. Robert D. "Bob" Robbins, Salem Township, R-50th District, who this week hand-delivered an appropriations request on behalf of the borough to U.S. Rep. Phil English in Washington.

Jennifer Hall, press secretary for English, said the office is "in the process of lobbying all appropriations requests" from across English's district.

Greenville is one of the many, but Ms. Hall said the borough can make "a strong case for need."

Money could come from one of 13 appropriations pack-ages, Ms. Hall said. Congress will pass the spending bills over the next half-year, and some could make it to the floor as early as next month, she said. The money would not be available until next year.

Robbins said the money could take some burden off the financially-strapped borough. "It would help out tremendously," he said.

Robbins said the federal money could be put to various specific uses, such as sewer projects, revitalization efforts or public safety, for instance.

Local money which had been budgeted for those or other purposes could then be diverted -- if necessary -- to pay down the borough's $1 million-plus deficit or back at least some of the $900,000 that was misused from a $3.67 million bond issue reserved for a recreation and revitalization project, Robbins speculated.

If and when the borough receives the federal money, it may not be necessary to pay down the deficit or back the bond money.

Specialists from the state Center for Local Government Services, which runs the state's program for financially distressed communities, began combing the borough's books early this month. The state will determine if the borough is eligible for emergency funding under the program. If it is, it could receive an interest-free loan -- some money, presumably, to replace what was used from the bond issue and to reduce the deficit -- this year.

Representatives from the state agency will make a presentation on the Act 47 program at a special meeting hosted by the borough from 7 to 9 p.m. April 8.

Neither Ms. Hall or Robbins indicated how much federal money was requested by the borough. Both said the request was a work in progress.