State lawmakers launch bipartisan Competitiveness Caucus

(Jan 14, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 14 – Today, Pennsylvania state Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York; and Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton; along with state Reps. Paul Friel, D-Chester; and Josh Kail, R-Beaver; announced the formation of a new bipartisan, bicameral group within the state General Assembly: the Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus. The legislators said the new caucus aims to unify efforts across the Capitol and party lines to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness and ensure a robust, dynamic economy today and into the future. The formation of the Pennsylvania Competitiveness Caucus comes at a crucial time for the commonwealth. As the state faces challenges in retaining businesses, attracting new investment, and reversing stagnant population growth, the caucus will serve as a dedicated platform for lawmakers to collaborate on policies that drive economic growth and make Pennsylvania an attractive place to live and work. “Although we sit on opposite sides of the aisle, we are united in our belief that making Pennsylvania more economically competitive through the advancement of pro-growth policies will benefit working-class families, reverse our stagnant population growth, and ensure our commonwealth is an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come,” Phillips-Hill said. “I am thrilled to be joining this bipartisan group of my colleagues to elevate this vital conversation and focus on Read more

 

E-News: New Year, New Resolve for Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(Jan 10, 2025)

This new year will bring a lot of change but also a fresh start and a renewed commitment to building a brighter future for all of our communities in Pennsylvania. For my part, I am incredibly grateful to serve as state representative for a second term and remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that build healthy communities and promote economic opportunity for all in Chester County and Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Friel begins second term, will focus on building strong communities

(Jan 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – State Rep. Paul Friel was sworn in to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today, beginning his second term serving the 26 th Legislative District. Friel said that he will fight to increase opportunities for farms, businesses, schools and families to thrive. “I am incredibly grateful to serve as state representative for a second term. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that build healthy communities and promote economic opportunity for all in Chester County and Pennsylvania,” said Friel, D-Chester. “Together we will continue to find ways to strengthen our public schools, support our farms and farmers, and attract businesses that provide good, family-sustaining jobs.” In his first term, Friel advanced bipartisan legislation to allow employer contributions to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts, accelerated reform to the state’s net operating loss tax deduction to strengthen Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness and passed in the House his proposal to safeguard and improve how Pennsylvania uses food processing residue to fertilize farm fields. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently in its 209th consecutive legislative session, which began on Jan. 1, 2025, and will run through Nov. 30, 2026. The Oath of Office was administered by Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Read more

 

Happy Holidays from State Rep. Paul Friel! My office is here to help you!

(Dec 23, 2024)

The holidays are here, and I hope they find you sharing time with friends, family and loved ones. My office will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday and then for New Year’s next Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Read more

 

E-News: Taking a Moment to Share a Few Ways My Office Can Assist You!

(Dec 12, 2024)

My constituent service office is here to help you with state government services. My staff is prepared to assist with PennDOT work, senior SEPTA passes, Pennsylvania’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, Unemployment Compensation and much more. Read more

 

Chester County lawmakers laud grant funding to clean up rivers and streams in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

(Dec 12, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 12 – Members of the Chester County state legislative delegation are pleased to report a state and federal investment in keeping the Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean from its tributaries in Chester County. The Chester County Conservation District was awarded more than $67,000 in funding directed by the Department of Environmental Protection. "Investing in cleaning the waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay is more than an environmental effort – it's a commitment to safeguarding a vital ecosystem, supporting local economies and preserving a legacy of natural beauty and abundance for generations to come," said state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester. The DEP awarded grants through the 2025 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants to county teams across Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. “Stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff remain leading sources of water quality impairment in Chester County and Pennsylvania,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “These investments will help prevent pollution and restore and protect the local watersheds that are crucial to environmental health, public health, and the strong quality of life in our communities.” Pennsylvania has made historic progress in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Earlier this year, the Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Dec 04, 2024)

Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 is available. Application Deadline: January 21, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Philadelphia Who May Apply: Community Development Corporations, economic development organizations and redevelopment authorities, business improvement districts/neighborhood improvement districts, non-profit organizations with a 501(c) designation, the City of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia. Any eligible organization must be located in Philadelphia. Use: Economic development projects, neighborhood revitalization projects, community improvement projects, projects in the public interest. Any eligible project must be located in Philadelphia. Funds: Grant amounts will vary based on the specific project requirements but are limited to a minimum request/award of $10,000 and a maximum Read more

 

Happy Thanksgiving; Deer Season in the Commonwealth is Around the Corner!

(Nov 26, 2024)

As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and our entire community. This season reminds us of the importance of connection, compassion and the shared commitment to making our neighborhoods, towns, state and nation a better place for all. Read more

 

E-News: Spring City Borough Receives $350K State Grant for Boat Launch Park

(Nov 15, 2024)

This week, I also had the privilege to congratulate Spring City Borough on its $350,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant for development at Spring City Boat Launch Park. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Nov 14, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Aging: Senior Community Center Grant Program Who May Apply: Senior community centers with an existing, contractual relationship with an Area Agency on Aging. Use: Funding opportunities are intended for enhancements to increase participation and programming, attract a new generation of older adults, and enable Senior Community Centers to provide a safe and healthy environment for their participants. Funds: $2 million in competitive grant funding is available. Application Deadline: December 13, 2024 More information: PA Grants website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program Who May Apply: County governments and non-profit agencies. Use: To support communities in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence through multidisciplinary collaboration. Funds: A total of $870,000 over the three-year project period in federal STOP Formula Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund two grants with budgets not to exceed $145,000 per 12-month project period. Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Military and Veterans Affairs: Veterans’ Trust Fund Who May Apply: Non-profits serving veterans, veterans’ service organizations, Read more

 

Friel announces $350K state grant for Spring City Boat Launch Park

(Nov 12, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Paul Friel today congratulated Spring City Borough for receiving a $350,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant for development of Spring City Boat Launch Park. The Community Conservation Partnership Program grant will go toward streambank restoration, construction of a pavilion, picnic area, pedestrian walkways and parking area. It will also support the installation of lights and security cameras, ADA access, landscaping, project signage and other site improvements. "Grant funding is the key that allows us to upgrade our public boat launch, ensuring safe access, cleaner facilities and sustainable preservation for everyone who loves our waterways,” said Friel, D-Chester. “With these investments, we enhance the community's connection to nature while protecting it for generations to come." DCNR’s C2P2 offers a wide range of grant and technical assistance programs to help Pennsylvania communities, land conservancies and non-profit organizations plan, acquire and develop natural resources in the state. In addition to the funding awarded in Friel’s district, more than $8.2 million was awarded to 24 organizations that fund community conservation projects statewide. Read more

 

E-News: Saint Peters Road Project Information is available

(Oct 31, 2024)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Thursday's Elverson Open House. Our little office is in the Historic Elverson Train Station and many of the neighbors who stopped by enjoyed taking in the history of the building. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Oct 29, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities, For-Profit organizations. Use: Mixed-use site development, conversion projects, rehabilitation projects, a combination of the three afore-mentioned projects. Funds: $10 million in PA Sites funding has been allocated for this program. There is no limit on the amount of grant funding that may be awarded to an applicant. Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, providing RSS and demonstrate the capacity to provide RSS to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorder (SUD). Use: Expand or enhance RSS to individuals in recover from OUD and other concurrent SUD. Funds: Approximately six grants totaling $1,500,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic Read more

 

E-news: House passes two of my bills dealing with FPR fertilizer

(Oct 25, 2024)

I’m writing you following a busy session week in Harrisburg as we round out this legislative term. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in the new House majority since 2023, and this last week saw the passage of several more bills I’m happy to report on, including my two bills to clean up the use of FPR fertilizer. I’m pleased to report that they received bipartisan support. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 24, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Global Access Program (GAP) Who May Apply: Pennsylvania companies that meet specific criteria (criteria available at link below) Use: Valid uses include: overseas and domestic trade show participation, overseas trade mission participation, foreign market sales trip, subscription to US DOC services, translation/interpreter fees, website internationalization, shipping sample products, and compliance testing. Funds: $800,000 in grant funding is available. Companies are eligible to receive up to $10,000 grants. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. More information: DCED website Department of Environmental Protection: Orphan Well Plugging Grant Program Who May Apply: Qualified well pluggers Use: Funds are to be used to plug orphaned gas wells. Funds: Grants of $40,000 are available for plugging wells 3,000 feet deep or less. Grants of up to $70,000 are available for plugging wells deeper than 3,000 feet. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until funding is depleted. More information: DEP website Department of Education: It’s On Us PA Who May Apply: Post-secondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Use: Funding is intended to be used to implement strategies Read more

 

Friel announces multiple state grant awards for critical projects

(Oct 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, today announced the award of several high-profile state grants for local projects that will benefit residents of the 26 th Legislative District. One grant originated from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program, which was created to provide grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. The program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Owen J. Roberts School District, Boiler Replacement Project, $1.32 million The proposed project will replace aging, inefficient oil-burning boilers with more energy efficient gas-condensing boilers. Removal of oil-fired boilers will also allow the removal of large fuel oil storage tanks which could potentially cause environmental hazards if a spill or leak occurs. PSFIG funds will be used for the purchase and installation of equipment. The other grants originate from the Statewide Local Share Account, which comes from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest within Pennsylvania. East Coventry Township, Public Works Vehicle and Equipment Purchase, $102,300 East Coventry Township uses a 14-year-old, Read more

 

House passes Friel bills to clean up Pennsylvania’s use of FPR fertilizer

(Oct 21, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania House today voted in broad bipartisan fashion to pass two of state Rep. Paul Friel’s bills changing the way that Pennsylvania handles and safeguards food-processing residuals – creating a statewide tracking process, updating operating procedures, and putting appropriate guardrails in place. Food processing residuals, also known as FPR, are the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residuals can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning fluid that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. While FPR can be used to fertilize the soil, it can create numerous problems if care is not taken. For example, some areas of Pennsylvania have seen groundwater contamination. Many other areas find themselves dealing with consistent, noxious odors. Compounding the issue, surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of FPR, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial product. Under H.B. 2393 , the Department of Environmental Protection in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the State Conservation Commission will update guidance for those who store and apply FPR and would require the creation of a land application system to guide how, when, and in what quantities FPR can be applied. House Bill 2594 Read more

 

E-News: Senior Fair in Phoenixville is a Success; Voting for Consumer Protections

(Oct 04, 2024)

PA House session this fall is back, and I’ve been busy this week voting on legislation in Harrisburg and keeping up with matters here in the district. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 03, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Transportation: Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Who May Apply: Municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports and rail freight entities. Use: To improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Funds: The MTF requires a 30% match of the amount award. Awards are available for projects with a minimum cost of $100,000 and no more than $3,000,000. Application Deadline: November 5, 2024 More information: PennDOT website Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Unconventional Gas Well Fund Who May Apply: Volunteer and career fire, EMS, and rescue companies in counties where unconventional gas well drilling is permitted and counties that directly border permitted counties and respond to related emergencies. Use: Funds may be used for certification, equipment, and Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Sep 25, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Please note, the NAP is broken down into 5 programs (The Neighborhood Assistance Program, the Special Program Priorities, the Charitable Food Program, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program). Please visit the DCED website for specifics on each program. Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations Use: The goals of the Programs are to promote community participation and collaborations among the residents, nonprofits and businesses while producing outcomes by assisting a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood. Eligible neighborhood nonprofits apply for tax credits based on pending contributions from for-profit companies. Funds: The total available NAP tax credit amount has increased from $36 million to $72 million. Application Deadline: October 25, 2024 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant Program Who May Apply: Counties Use: The primary purpose of the CCAPPG funds is to provide funding from the Commonwealth for costs incurred by the county for the supervision of adult offenders. Funds: PCCD is announcing a total of $16,150,000 in state Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant funds. PCCD expects to fund up to 65 county adult probation Read more

 

State lawmakers launch bipartisan Competitiveness Caucus
Jan 14, 2025

E-News: New Year, New Resolve for Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Jan 10, 2025

Friel begins second term, will focus on building strong communities
Jan 07, 2025

Happy Holidays from State Rep. Paul Friel! My office is here to help you!
Dec 23, 2024

E-News: Taking a Moment to Share a Few Ways My Office Can Assist You!
Dec 12, 2024

Chester County lawmakers laud grant funding to clean up rivers and streams in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Dec 12, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Dec 04, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving; Deer Season in the Commonwealth is Around the Corner!
Nov 26, 2024

E-News: Spring City Borough Receives $350K State Grant for Boat Launch Park
Nov 15, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Nov 14, 2024

Friel announces $350K state grant for Spring City Boat Launch Park
Nov 12, 2024

E-News: Saint Peters Road Project Information is available
Oct 31, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Oct 29, 2024

E-news: House passes two of my bills dealing with FPR fertilizer
Oct 25, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 24, 2024

Friel announces multiple state grant awards for critical projects
Oct 22, 2024

House passes Friel bills to clean up Pennsylvania’s use of FPR fertilizer
Oct 21, 2024

E-News: Senior Fair in Phoenixville is a Success; Voting for Consumer Protections
Oct 04, 2024

Grant Memo: Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 03, 2024

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Sep 25, 2024