House passes bipartisan Donahue bill to invest in site development
Rep. Kyle T. Donahue June 28, 2024 | 2:21 PM
HARRISBURG, June 28 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by state Rep. Kyle Donahue by a vote of 137-65.
House Bill 2425 would establish the PA Strategic Investment to Enhance Sites Program using Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority bonds totaling up to $500 million to invest in site development, preparation, and readiness for businesses to locate or expand in Pennsylvania.
“House Bill 2425 would support getting locations ready for economic development through grants and low-interest loans,” Donahue said. “The bill expands the PEDFA financing available to get more sites shovel-ready to provide jobs and economic growth. This program would be open to private, public, and nonprofit site developers working on both industrial and non-industrial economic development sites to turn dirt into jobs and make Pennsylvania a fiercely competitive, thriving place to do business.
“A pilot program in 2023 for $10 million proved demand is high for this program. The pilot program received 102 applications totaling more than $236 million in requests. That pilot supported seven projects across the commonwealth, accelerating business development and economic opportunity.”
Donahue noted his gratitude to his colleagues for voting to pass his legislation in the House along with his colleague Rep. Aaron Kaufer, who co-introduced the bill.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.