Kinkead celebrates $525,000 for community projects

Gaming grants fund local recreation, infrastructure

Rep. Emily Kinkead    January 16, 2024 | 4:04 PM

BELLEVUE, Jan. 16 – The Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund will provide state grants totaling $525,000 to support six projects across the 20th Legislative District, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today.

“I’m grateful to be in a position where I can help secure grants like these that will improve community spaces for our friends and neighbors,” said Kinkead. “State grants can be quite competitive, so I’m thrilled that I was able to work with Senators Lindsey Williams and Wayne Fontana to deliver these investments to District 20 communities.”

Projects in the 20th Legislative District awarded grants by the Commonwealth Financing Authority include:

  • $180,000 to North Hills Community Outreach to construct a solar-powered passive greenhouse with heater, which will be used to harvest an additional 1,000 pounds of produce and assist in providing organic fruits and vegetables to food pantries during colder months.
  • $105,000 to Charles Street Area Corp. for developments at the Cross-Strauss Parklet.
  • $100,000 to Avalon Borough to fund the survey, design, construction and inspection of a retaining wall replacement to stabilize and support North Birmingham Avenue above the existing Avalon Community Park.
  • $90,000 to Allegheny Land Trust to acquire 27 acres of green space known as the “Lowries Run Slopes Extension” in Ross Township. The space will be incorporated into a permanently conserved, contiguous, 67-acre green space that includes stormwater management systems to help mitigate flooding.
  • $25,000 to the Allegheny Health Network to relocate their Simulation, Teaching, and Academic Research Center to the former Suburban General Hospital in Bellevue to help deliver health care workforce development programming.
  • $25,000 to the Quaker Valley Council of Governments to install a garbage enclosure; construct an ADA restroom building; implement sidewalks and accessibility routes connecting the restroom and the park; and relocate existing site elements.

GEDTF grants are administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and are funded through gaming revenues. These grants provide financial support to municipalities, authorities, councils of governments, non-profits, and others to carry out important economic development projects in Allegheny County. Eligible projects promote local economic activities, create jobs, improve or create infrastructure, promote public safety, assist in workforce development, or improve recreational activities.