Powell: $810,000 for community infrastructure
Rep. Lindsay Powell January 29, 2025 | 12:17 PM
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, today announced that $810,000 in state funds was awarded to multiple local entities to improve community infrastructure.
Powell and state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, helped secure a $460,000 grant for Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh to purchase a blighted lot and convert it into their VisAbility Place. She also worked with state Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Fontana to deliver $150,000 to Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. for the modernization of a passenger elevator at Heinz Hall to ensure its facility is ADA-compliant.
State Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, partnered with Powell as well to help acquire a total of $200,000. A $140,000 grant went to North Hills Council of Governments for a sewer separation project in Etna, and the Shaler Township received $60,000 for flood levee maintenance.
“Our neighbors deserve to feel safe in their communities, and these dollars will go a long way in modernizing our shared spaces. Not only that, local infrastructure and our cultural institutions will benefit too,” Powell said. “Thank you to my legislative colleagues in the state House and Senate for getting these funds to neighborhoods in need.”
Three of these grants are made possible by the Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, under the Commonwealth Financing Authority. These grants, funded through gaming revenue, 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.
Shaler Township’s funds are facilitated by the CFA’s Flood Mitigation Program.