Giral: Nearly $1.7 million in new grants to improve & maintain local infrastructure
Rep. Jose Giral December 18, 2025 | 3:58 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila., announced today that nearly $1.7 million in funding has been awarded to infrastructure and food access projects in Legislative District 180.
Giral said the grants will primarily fund the renovation and upkeep of affordable housing and community service buildings, with two grants designated for a new public park and the operations of local food pantries.
“The services and organizations benefiting from these grants are already doing essential work across my district,” said Giral. “These additional funds are a welcome investment to help them continue supporting our community for the long term.”
Giral said the following grants were awarded:
- $500,000 to the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp., on behalf of Esperanza Health Center Inc., to develop a parcel of land at 3215-23 Shelbourne St. into a new community park.
- $350,000 to PIDC, on behalf of the Hispanic Associations of Contractors Enterprise, to complete building renovations at Fairhill Lofts.
- $850,080 to PIDC, on behalf of Impact Services, to make infrastructure upgrades to their headquarters, which houses the Philadelphia Police Department and Hispanic Counseling Services.
- $200,000 to PIDC, on behalf of the Oshun Family Center, to renovate a 7,500-square foot building in Kensington into a hub for maternal and mental health care.
- $86,450 to PIDC, on behalf of Small Things Inc., to purchase a refrigerated sprinter van to be used to pick up food donations from area retailers and deliver them to community food pantries and food pantry partners. This grant was additionally supported by Giral’s colleagues, state Reps. Tarik Khan and Danilo Burgos, both D-Phila.
The grants are funded through the Statewide Local Share Account, which receives money from the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. This law allocates gaming revenues via the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects that serve the public interest across Pennsylvania. Eligible projects include acquisition, construction, renovation, and rehabilitation; demolition; infrastructure improvements; purchase of vehicles, machinery, and equipment; planning, consulting, and design costs; engineering; and certain administrative expenses.