Cephas announces community development grants for West Philadelphia
Also instrumental in securing funds for historic golf course
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas October 22, 2024 | 3:24 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila. announced today that she has secured funding for local projects through grants from the Statewide Local Share Account totaling more than $1.57 million. Grants were awarded to the PIDC Funding Corp. to facilitate projects for the Overbrook Community Development Corp., Umoja Inc. and the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation.
Project details are as follows:
Overbrook Community Development Corp. was awarded $48,353 to install holiday decorative light fixtures along Haverford Avenue in West Philadelphia as part of the Haverford Avenue Beautification and Light Project. LSA funds will be used for construction costs, administrative costs, and the purchase and installation of equipment.
Umoja, Inc. was awarded $550,000 for the construction of a space to host a “MakersLab and Entrepreneurial Hub” at the Umoja Inc. facility in West Philadelphia. LSA funds will be used for renovations and site preparation for a significant portion of the current Umoja facility to create space for this hub for creators and entrepreneurs.
$977,000 was awarded to The Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation for restoring and maintaining the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course.
Cephas praised the Commonwealth Financing Authority for seeing the value in these community development projects. “This funding is a real investment in the people and neighborhoods of West Philadelphia. Improved street lighting brightens not only our sidewalks and streets but also the spirit of a community, restoring dignity in a neighborhood,” she said.
“We all have a sense of pride when someone ‘from the block’ makes it big and these investments will shine a light on those with a dream creating a modern space to build their vision, instilling satisfaction and pride for the originators and idea producers of our area.”
Cephas was also instrumental in securing $977,000 of LSA funds for the Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation for their work to restore and maintain the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course in nearby West Conshohocken Borough, Montgomery County. “This golf course is significant due to its early racial and gender inclusiveness when it opened in 1916 -- a time when most golf courses did not allow the integration of members or players on their grounds,” explained Cephas.
“The grounds have been in need of maintenance and revitalization for some time. This restoration will help continue the foundation’s mission to bring people together and provide transformative opportunities for Philadelphia youth.”
The Statewide Local Share Account funding comes from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest in Pennsylvania.
