Burns urges fire departments, nonprofits to apply for grant programs
Lawmaker reminds groups his office can help with grant applications
Rep. Frank Burns July 13, 2020 | 2:54 PM
EBENSBURG, July 13 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is urging local organizations to take advantage of state grant opportunities, including an emergency coronavirus grant program for volunteer fire and EMS companies.
Funded by the federal CARES Act, the emergency fire company grant program passed earlier this year to provide financial relief to fire, rescue and emergency medical services companies who have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Fire companies must register with the state to receive funding through the program, even if they did not receive a 2019-20 state grant – a key provision that Burns fought to include.
“After hearing from our local volunteers about how the coronavirus has stretched their already thin resources, I supported and pushed for this legislation to make this funding available,” Burns said. “We ask our emergency responders to support us every day, often under the most difficult conditions imaginable. My office is ready to support them with their applications – and I strongly urge them to apply today.”
Other programs that Burns wants to bring to local nonprofit and organizations attention:
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program
Eligibility: 501c3 nonprofits
Use: Tax credit program to encourage businesses to invest in projects by eligible nonprofits to improve distressed areas. Projects can include affordable housing, community economic development, community services, education, neighborhood conservation, crime prevention, job training or charitable food assistance.
Funds: Tax credits up to 80%, depending upon the program category, for businesses that donate to the nonprofit.
Application Deadline: Aug. 31
Info: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Fresh Food Financing Initiative COVID-19 Relief Fund
Who Can Apply: For-profit, nonprofit, or cooperative entities, such as grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, neighborhood stores, bodegas, food hubs, mobile markets, co-ops, farmers markets, on-farm markets, urban farms, community gardens and food aggregation and processing centers with a direct connection to direct-to-consumer retail outlets.
Use: For costs related to COVID-19 that have been incurred between March 1 and Nov. 30, such as higher operating costs, equipment purchases, inventory, food access technology and other costs.
Application Deadline: Aug. 14
Info: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Food_Security/Pages/Fresh-Food-Financing-Initiative-COVID-19.aspx