PENN HILLS, Jan. 16 – New grants totaling $235,300 will fund road reconstruction and park planning projects in Verona Borough and stormwater improvements in Oakmont, state Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Allegheny, announced today. McAndrew said the projects – awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority under two separate programs – will help both boroughs address needed renovations. “The new funding is going to support practical projects to improve our roads, better manage stormwater to restore our trails and plan for new parks and green spaces,” McAndrew said. “These are smart investments that will enhance quality of life for residents and help protect our natural resources. I want to thank CFA and the community partners who helped bring this funding to fruition.” McAndrew said the details of the grants are as follows: Awarded under the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund: $175,000 to the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments for road reconstruction work to Third Street, Athletic Street, Vogels Lane, and another, unnamed alley in Verona. $30,000 to the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments for stormwater improvements to Dark Hollow Woods Trail in Oakmont. Awarded under the Greenways Trails and Recreation Program: $30,301 to Verona Borough for park and green space planning. The Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund is administered by Read more
State grants awarded for new construction, renovations Read more
Gaming grants fund local recreation, infrastructure Read more
MONROEVILLE, Jan. 16 – Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, announced today that the projects in East McKeesport, Wilmerding and Turtle Creek were awarded a combined $275,000 in state funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Markosek said the grants – awarded under the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund – will help address practical land use issues and improve recreational safety. “The new funding will support projects to help us fight blight, manage stormwater runoff and complete important park renovations to enhance safety,” Markosek said. “I am grateful to CFA and to our community partners who worked with us to bring this funding home.” Markosek said the funding to Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments includes: $175,000 to demolish 13 structures in Turtle Creek. $50,000 for renovations to East Field Park in East McKeesport, which has two to three multi-use fields that are currently unusable. The project includes leveling the current fields, adding sod and replacing the retaining wall along Walnut Alley. $50,000 to replace catch basins in multiple inlets in Wilmerding with a bicycle safe grate installed on each inlet. The Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund is administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and funded through state gaming revenues that are deposited with the CFA for economic and community development projects. More Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 16 – State Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, announced today that two local projects were awarded more than $345,000 in state grants to fund playground rehabilitation and a new community center roof. “These local projects are sometimes unfulfilled without the assistance of state funding programs,” Deasy said. “This is an integral part of what our jobs are as state representatives: connecting local organizations with these state grant programs in order to ease the local burden to taxpayers.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded $195,100 to Rosslyn Farms for the rehabilitation of Parrish Park Playground. The funding was made available through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Scott Township was awarded $150,000 to remove and replace the roof system on the Scott Township Park Pool Building. This project includes installing a new shingle roof system, asbestos testing and abatement as required, repairing damaged decking, installing a full self-adhering ice and water shield, and all new trim metal, gutters and fascia. The grant for Scott Township is made possible by the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund which falls under the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and the state Commonwealth Financing Authority. The grants provide financial assistance to entities to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 16 – New grants totaling $300,000 will fund renovations and improvements to several local attractions and houses of worship, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the grants – awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and funded through the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund – will support improvements to beloved community places. “The new grants will fund renovations to places we go to meet up with friends, to worship, to learn and to enjoy nature and the arts,” Frankel said. “These are investments in the places we hold dear, and I want to thank CFA and our community partners who helped secure the funding for these improvements.” Frankel said the funding and projects include: $100,000 to the Frick Art and Historical Center, Inc., for exterior rehabilitation work on the Clayton mansion. $100,000 to Rodef Shalom Congregation to help replace three aging roofs. $50,000 to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for renovations to the Schenley Park Visitors Center and Café. $50,000 to Congregation Beth Shalom to help replace HVAC units and boiler at the end of their useful life with high-efficiency units. The Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund is administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and funded through state gaming revenues that are deposited with the Read more
“With this funding, we may rehabilitate infrastructure in Carnegie Borough and the VFW Post 418 Building in McKees Rocks, as well as support the services provided to veterans that bravely fought to defend our country’s freedom,” Kulik said. “By repairing the Carnegie Main Street Bridge, we make our roadways safer for those traveling through our area.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Jan. 16 – New grants totaling $960,102 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will support multiple community projects in the 34 th Legislative District, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today. Salisbury said the funding includes $585,102 under the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for improvements to area parks and another $375,000 awarded under the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund for improvements to multiple local community centers. “Parks and green spaces are so important to our district, but it takes planning and resources to ensure the access, parking and safe play equipment residents need,” Salisbury said. “The funding from CFA is going to help fund those kinds of improvements in parks throughout our district.” Salisbury said the GTRP funding and projects include: $210,000 to the borough of Forest Hills for the Forest Hills Parks Rehabilitation Project. $122,803 to Wilkinsburg Borough for the Rosa Parks Park Improvements Project. $104,465 to Wilkins Township for Phase 3 of the Eastmont Park Rehabilitation. $97,834 to Braddock Hills for the Braddock Hills Borough Community Playground Facility. $50,000 to North Braddock Borough for Phase 2 of the North Braddock Legends Playground Improvements Project. “It’s a great honor to be delivering crucial state funding to the green spaces that allow the people Read more
“With these grants from the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund and the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, we make investments in the community,” Steele said. “By funding projects such as the Hilltop Hose Company No. 3, we have the opportunity to support our first responders, allowing them to better serve our community.” Read more
“With these six grants, we have the opportunity to improve services that residents regularly utilize, as well as enhance our environment,” Venkat said. “By investing in our economy and recreational facilities, as well as capping an abandoned well in the Toms Run and Tippery Meadows Natural Area, we will make improvements in the quality of life of residents of our community.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 11 – New grant funding of $80,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will help two area universities fight student hunger, state Rep. Dan Frankel announced today. Frankel said the funding – which includes $60,000 to Carnegie Mellon University and $19,998 to Chatham University – will address an issue that persists at all education levels. “Student hunger isn’t just a K-12 issue – it affects college campuses, as well, making it difficult for students to learn, keep part-time jobs, buy textbooks and even stay enrolled in classes,” Frankel said. “Those problems only grew worse during the pandemic. “Hunger should never stand in the way of a student’s dreams. This new funding should help ensure greater access to nutrition for students throughout our region so they can be free to learn and focus on their future.” The funding was awarded under the PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program, which is part of the Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus Initiative. More information is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/Education-details.aspx?newsid=1434#:~:text=Harrisburg%2C%20PA%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Pennsylvania%20Department,on%20campuses%20across%20the%20Commonwealth . Read more
“Low-income students face financial issues with paying for higher education, but also accessing affordable food while balancing their coursework,” Venkat said. “When students feel hungry, their academic performance falters. To help students succeed in their pursuit of higher education, La Roche University will receive state grant funding to combat food insecurity, benefiting hundreds of students in McCandless.” Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 10 – New grant funding of nearly $3.3 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection will allow a Hopewell transportation company to upgrade part of its fleet with zero-emission vehicles, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver, said the new funding to PGT Holdings Inc. – awarded under the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program – will improve efficiency and lower costs for the regional employer. “Securing this new funding will allow PGT to upgrade some of its fleet by replacing 10 short-haul tractors with battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,” Matzie said. “The grant will also fund installation of fast charging plugs and mobile hydrogen fueling units. “All the improvements will save PGT Trucking on fuel and maintenance costs while cutting diesel emissions to our region. It’s an investment that’s also a great step into the future.” Matzie said the addition of nearly $1.1 million in matching funds will bring the project total to nearly $4.4 million. The Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program was launched to build on the success of DEP’s Driving PA Forward program by focusing on funding replacements of diesel-powered, Class 4 to 8 on-road fleet vehicles with zero-emission Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced today that Excelitas Technologies Corp. , a leader in photonics technology, is establishing its headquarters in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The company has committed to creating at least 250 high-wage jobs in Pittsburgh over the next four years. “District 21 is an attractive location for businesses,” Powell said. “We have close access to world-renowned companies, a growing local economy, and the world’s most welcoming residents. We’re happy that Excelitas recognizes what the district has to offer and has committed to a 12-year lease for their new location in the Strip District.” Excilitas’ relocation to the Strip District comes shortly after Westinghouse announced the planned opening of their new nuclear innovation facility in Etna in October 2023. The firm’s new address will be 2545 Railroad St. Photonics is a branch of optics that studies light in the form of photons and is utilized in medicine, communication, aviation, renewable energy and many other fields in a variety of ways. Read more
BRADDOCK, Jan. 5 – Two grants totaling $575,450 from the state Department of Environmental Protection will bring stormwater improvements to Wilkinsburg and fund progress toward more equitable stormwater management throughout Pittsburgh, according to state Reps. Abigail Salisbury, Dan Frankel and La’Tasha D. Mayes and state Sen. Jay Costa. The lawmakers said the funding awarded to Upstream Pittsburgh under DEP’s Growing Greener Plus program includes $390,000 for the second phase of the Wilkinsburg Stormwater Resiliency Project and another $185,450 to fund the Nine Mile Run Environmental Justice Watershed Plan. “Runoff from municipal parking lots in Wilkinsburg’s business district have created stormwater management issues, including a high volume of water loading the storm sewer system and sometimes flooding area streets,” Salisbury said. “Upstream Pittsburgh has been working with Sci-Tek Consultants on plans to address the problem by removing impermeable pavement and retrofitting the lots with engineered soil, new trees, and native plants. These dollars will allow them to work with the borough to complete those plans. “Beyond Wilkinsburg, we need to do better to ensure that communities across our region have the infrastructure they need to adequately manage stormwater, and the additional funding will help us work toward that goal.” “A resident’s access to essential services like Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Rob Matzie announced today that he will be introducing legislation to analyze the policy, practices, finances and structure of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, with an eye toward overhauling how the PIAA operates and makes decisions. Matzie, who is the vice chairman and longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, said he is introducing his legislation in response to his and other lawmakers’ concerns – particularly involving the ways in which PIAA classifies schools for competition – that can impact the fairness of those competitions and endanger student athlete safety. “This is an issue we worked on two years ago, but after Aliquippa was successful in their appeal, I believed the issue was solved,” Matzie said. “The board, in reversing the initial decision, gave the impression that they would be open to changes to the formula. They indeed did, making it worse by removing player safety as a consideration. Now that this issue has reared its ugly head again, it’s time for the legislature to act.” Matzie said that because of a flaw in the classification formula that PIAA uses to determine the athletic levels at which high schools will complete, schools like Aliquippa that voluntarily play up in a higher classification are then pigeonholed by the association into that Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Human Services: OCDEL Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement Who May Apply: Eligible childcare providers will be notified via an eligibility letter from their Early Learning Resource Center. Providers must meet the requirements outlined here . Use: Staff qualifications and professional development, early childhood education programs, partnerships with families and communities, leadership and management, and accreditation costs. Funds: Grant amounts vary by provider. Grant funding comes from $12 million of federal Childcare Development Fund funds. Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2024 More information: Keystone STARS Website Department of Transportation: State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive Program Who May Apply: To be eligible for STIC Incentive funding, the STIC or other equivalent task force, committee or group must be formally established with a charter, include public and private members, meet regularly, and comprehensively consider sources of innovation. Use: The State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program provides funding to help STICs foster a culture of innovation and make innovations standard practice in their states. Examples of allowable activities include but are not limited to: developing standards and specifications; developing training to facilitate widespread use of innovation, developing memoranda of agreement; preparing a report summarizing the lessons Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 26 – Air travelers, airport workers and security officers would be better protected from an alarmingly common travel risk – loaded firearms illegally transported through carry-on luggage – under soon-to-be-introduced legislation drafted by state Rep. Dan Frankel. Frankel, D-Allegheny, said he is introducing the legislation – which would penalize gun owners who illegally bring firearms into TSA baggage checkpoints by revoking their permit to carry – to address a deadly risk that persists in airports despite increased fines, warning signs and other preventive measures. “Each year, thousands of air travelers, airport workers and TSA officers face unnecessary danger because of gun owners who attempt to bring firearms through carry-on luggage checkpoints,” Frankel said. “The statistics are alarming – last year, TSA seized about 6,500 guns, and nearly 90% of them were loaded. The owners’ response in 100% of the cases was ‘I forgot.’ “Loaded weapons at baggage checkpoints not only create obvious safety risks, but they cause major airport delays, drain TSA resources and distract security officers from other dangers that could compromise flight safety. “This legislation is not designed to punish the majority of responsible gun owners but to crack down on the irresponsible ones whose actions put fellow travelers at risk. Responsible gun Read more
ARPA money to fund municipal water infrastructure, cultural organizations Read more
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