Abney: $1.5 million+ for hiring support and public safety in Pittsburgh
Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney February 27, 2025 | 10:30 AM
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 26 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that two state grants, totaling more than $1.5 million, were awarded to a local restaurant for expanding employment opportunities and to projects that will safeguard motorists and pedestrians.
Café Momentum Pittsburgh received $914,300 for extending workforce development internships to 75 at-risk youths. The interns will learn front- and back-of-the-house work during their time with Café Momentum, as well as receive life-skills support, employee adjustment and confidence skill building assistance, mental healthcare, and education support.
Funding of $647,000 will go toward modernizing the traffic signal at the intersection of East General Robinson Street and Sandusky Street and for pedestrian safety improvements in the North Shore neighborhood.
“Giving young people opportunities, such as those provided by Café Momentum, will provide them with invaluable information on sustainable careers and, potentially, a path to such careers in food services and hospitality. I’m also proud to help secure monies that will keep neighbors safe with traffic improvements on the North Side,” Abney said. “Thank you to Senator Wayne Fontana and all partners who helped make these dollars possible.”
Café Momentum’s funds are allocated through the Commonwealth’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, while the traffic signal grant is made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement program.