“Low-income students face financial issues with paying for higher education, but also accessing affordable food while balancing their coursework,” Venkat said. “When students feel hungry, their academic performance falters. To help students succeed in their pursuit of higher education, La Roche University will receive state grant funding to combat food insecurity, benefiting hundreds of students in McCandless.” Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 10 – New grant funding of nearly $3.3 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection will allow a Hopewell transportation company to upgrade part of its fleet with zero-emission vehicles, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver, said the new funding to PGT Holdings Inc. – awarded under the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program – will improve efficiency and lower costs for the regional employer. “Securing this new funding will allow PGT to upgrade some of its fleet by replacing 10 short-haul tractors with battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,” Matzie said. “The grant will also fund installation of fast charging plugs and mobile hydrogen fueling units. “All the improvements will save PGT Trucking on fuel and maintenance costs while cutting diesel emissions to our region. It’s an investment that’s also a great step into the future.” Matzie said the addition of nearly $1.1 million in matching funds will bring the project total to nearly $4.4 million. The Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Pilot Grant Program was launched to build on the success of DEP’s Driving PA Forward program by focusing on funding replacements of diesel-powered, Class 4 to 8 on-road fleet vehicles with zero-emission Read more
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced today that Excelitas Technologies Corp. , a leader in photonics technology, is establishing its headquarters in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The company has committed to creating at least 250 high-wage jobs in Pittsburgh over the next four years. “District 21 is an attractive location for businesses,” Powell said. “We have close access to world-renowned companies, a growing local economy, and the world’s most welcoming residents. We’re happy that Excelitas recognizes what the district has to offer and has committed to a 12-year lease for their new location in the Strip District.” Excilitas’ relocation to the Strip District comes shortly after Westinghouse announced the planned opening of their new nuclear innovation facility in Etna in October 2023. The firm’s new address will be 2545 Railroad St. Photonics is a branch of optics that studies light in the form of photons and is utilized in medicine, communication, aviation, renewable energy and many other fields in a variety of ways. Read more
BRADDOCK, Jan. 5 – Two grants totaling $575,450 from the state Department of Environmental Protection will bring stormwater improvements to Wilkinsburg and fund progress toward more equitable stormwater management throughout Pittsburgh, according to state Reps. Abigail Salisbury, Dan Frankel and La’Tasha D. Mayes and state Sen. Jay Costa. The lawmakers said the funding awarded to Upstream Pittsburgh under DEP’s Growing Greener Plus program includes $390,000 for the second phase of the Wilkinsburg Stormwater Resiliency Project and another $185,450 to fund the Nine Mile Run Environmental Justice Watershed Plan. “Runoff from municipal parking lots in Wilkinsburg’s business district have created stormwater management issues, including a high volume of water loading the storm sewer system and sometimes flooding area streets,” Salisbury said. “Upstream Pittsburgh has been working with Sci-Tek Consultants on plans to address the problem by removing impermeable pavement and retrofitting the lots with engineered soil, new trees, and native plants. These dollars will allow them to work with the borough to complete those plans. “Beyond Wilkinsburg, we need to do better to ensure that communities across our region have the infrastructure they need to adequately manage stormwater, and the additional funding will help us work toward that goal.” “A resident’s access to essential services like Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Rob Matzie announced today that he will be introducing legislation to analyze the policy, practices, finances and structure of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, with an eye toward overhauling how the PIAA operates and makes decisions. Matzie, who is the vice chairman and longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, said he is introducing his legislation in response to his and other lawmakers’ concerns – particularly involving the ways in which PIAA classifies schools for competition – that can impact the fairness of those competitions and endanger student athlete safety. “This is an issue we worked on two years ago, but after Aliquippa was successful in their appeal, I believed the issue was solved,” Matzie said. “The board, in reversing the initial decision, gave the impression that they would be open to changes to the formula. They indeed did, making it worse by removing player safety as a consideration. Now that this issue has reared its ugly head again, it’s time for the legislature to act.” Matzie said that because of a flaw in the classification formula that PIAA uses to determine the athletic levels at which high schools will complete, schools like Aliquippa that voluntarily play up in a higher classification are then pigeonholed by the association into that Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Human Services: OCDEL Keystone STARS Continuous Quality Improvement Who May Apply: Eligible childcare providers will be notified via an eligibility letter from their Early Learning Resource Center. Providers must meet the requirements outlined here . Use: Staff qualifications and professional development, early childhood education programs, partnerships with families and communities, leadership and management, and accreditation costs. Funds: Grant amounts vary by provider. Grant funding comes from $12 million of federal Childcare Development Fund funds. Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2024 More information: Keystone STARS Website Department of Transportation: State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive Program Who May Apply: To be eligible for STIC Incentive funding, the STIC or other equivalent task force, committee or group must be formally established with a charter, include public and private members, meet regularly, and comprehensively consider sources of innovation. Use: The State Transportation Innovation Council Incentive Program provides funding to help STICs foster a culture of innovation and make innovations standard practice in their states. Examples of allowable activities include but are not limited to: developing standards and specifications; developing training to facilitate widespread use of innovation, developing memoranda of agreement; preparing a report summarizing the lessons Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 26 – Air travelers, airport workers and security officers would be better protected from an alarmingly common travel risk – loaded firearms illegally transported through carry-on luggage – under soon-to-be-introduced legislation drafted by state Rep. Dan Frankel. Frankel, D-Allegheny, said he is introducing the legislation – which would penalize gun owners who illegally bring firearms into TSA baggage checkpoints by revoking their permit to carry – to address a deadly risk that persists in airports despite increased fines, warning signs and other preventive measures. “Each year, thousands of air travelers, airport workers and TSA officers face unnecessary danger because of gun owners who attempt to bring firearms through carry-on luggage checkpoints,” Frankel said. “The statistics are alarming – last year, TSA seized about 6,500 guns, and nearly 90% of them were loaded. The owners’ response in 100% of the cases was ‘I forgot.’ “Loaded weapons at baggage checkpoints not only create obvious safety risks, but they cause major airport delays, drain TSA resources and distract security officers from other dangers that could compromise flight safety. “This legislation is not designed to punish the majority of responsible gun owners but to crack down on the irresponsible ones whose actions put fellow travelers at risk. Responsible gun Read more
ARPA money to fund municipal water infrastructure, cultural organizations Read more
MCKEESPORT, Dec. 20 – Wastewater infrastructure throughout the 35 th Legislation District is getting a boost from more than $3.3 million in funding that will support multiple sanitary sewer and stormwater system projects, state Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, announced today. Gergely said the funding includes $1.5 million awarded under the COVID-19 ARPA H2O PA Program and nearly $2 million in additional funding under the COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Program, both administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. “Wastewater management plays a huge role in protecting public health and our water supply, but equipment and system repairs can be extremely costly for local governments and water authorities,” Gergely said. “Securing this new funding will allow our local officials and authorities to make the repairs needed so residents throughout our district enjoy greater efficiency and fewer service interruptions. “I’m grateful to CFA and the community partners who worked with us to bring this funding home.” Gergely said the funding includes: $1.5 million to the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority for grit removal equipment and operations improvements at the Thompson Run Sewage Treatment Plant in West Mifflin Borough. $400,000 to the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Municipal Authority for pump station improvements. $300,000 to Duquesne City to Read more
The grants will help rehabilitate and upgrade storm and sanitary sewer systems in Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, and Castle Shannon. Read more
ARPA grants to support municipal water improvements, local nonprofit Read more
BRADDOCK, Dec. 19 – Water and wastewater projects in the 34 th Legislative District were awarded $2.42 million, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today. “Our residents have a right to rely on proper wastewater management, which is critical to public health,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will allow boroughs across the district and our local water authority to complete critical maintenance and repair projects, so residents and small business owners receive the reliable, uninterrupted service they deserve.” Salisbury said the projects and funding include: $593,930 to Wilkinsburg Borough for sewer conveyance system repairs. $200,000 to Rankin Borough for the ALCOSAN Regional Trunk Sewer Takeover Repairs project. $400,000 to Swissvale Borough to replace a dilapidated sanitary sewer line running across Schley Avenue. $450,000 to the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority to replace a water line along Cline Street in Wilkins Township. $200,000 to Braddock Borough for repairs throughout the borough’s municipal sewer system. $100,000 to Forest Hills Borough to rehabilitate the Ashley Court sanitary sewer system. $200,000 to North Braddock Borough to construct a storm sewer system along O’Connell Boulevard. $275,000 to East Pittsburgh Borough for storm sewer improvements. Salisbury said that in addition to the water infrastructure Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19 – Combined grants totaling $272,710 will help local arts and cultural organizations in the 23 rd Legislative District continue recovering from the effects of the pandemic, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the funding will help these organizations – which were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic – offset losses and fund operating costs. “From restrictions on gatherings to supply-chain issues, the pandemic left many local artists, museums and cultural centers struggling to survive, and most are still feeling the economic impacts,” Frankel said. “The new funding will help offset lost revenue and fund operating costs so these beloved organizations that enrich and enliven our community – and generate activity for neighboring small businesses – can thrive again.” Frankel said the funding – awarded under the COVID-19 ARPA Arts and Culture Recovery Program – includes: $95,000 to the Carnegie Institute for the Carnegie Museum of Art. $95,000 for the Carnegie Institute for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. $33,967 to Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media. $27,875 to Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures. $10,868 to Fine Art Miracles Inc. $10,000 to Bodiography Contemporary Ballet. Funds distributed through the PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19 – Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the 19 th Legislative District were awarded combined funding of $1.76 million to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic, state Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today. Abney said the funding – awarded under the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery – will help offset losses and fund operating expenses for nearly 30 district arts and cultural centers. “The pandemic dealt a crushing blow to our local artists, museums, orchestras and other arts and cultural centers, and these organizations are rebounding more slowly than other businesses and organizations,” Abney said. “The new funding will help speed recovery for these vital groups and for the talented performers, musicians, and other artists who uplift us and help stimulate local business activity.” Abney said the funding includes the following organizations and amounts: ACH Clear Pathways – $33,449. Arcade Comedy Theater Inc. – $17,341. Artists Image Resource – $11,476. August Wilson African American Cultural Center – $95,000. Civic Light Opera Association of Greater Pittsburgh – $95,000. Carnegie Institute: Carnegie Science Center – $95,000. Carnegie Institute: The Andy Warhol Center – $95,000. Center of Life – $62,805. Chamber Music Read more
Federal funds to support water infrastructure, history organization Read more
“These grants, which CFA administered through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, will enhance arts and cultural organizations based in my district and in the Greater Pittsburgh Region,” Mayes said. “With these investments, Pittsburgh residents may benefit from more opportunities to explore the arts and vibrant cultures, and build up the community, thereby making Pittsburgh more welcoming for more people from diverse backgrounds.” Read more
“The pandemic’s closures and cancellations had a devastating impact on our local artists, theaters, museums and other arts and cultural organizations, and many are still struggling to fully recover. Neighboring bars, restaurants and other small businesses felt the impact, as well,” Powell said. “This new funding to help revive the arts will help bring back more of the events, exhibits and performances our community loves, and in the process, stimulate more local business activity.” Read more
“With these grants, we will have the opportunity to address infrastructure issues with water supplies, sewer systems, and stormwater management,” Steele said. “These grants, awarded by CFA through funding from ARPA, will assist residents in Fawn, Frazer, Harrison, East Deer, Harmar and Indiana townships and Brackenridge, Cheswick, Springdale, and Tarentum boroughs.” Read more
"I am thrilled to see the state support these communities with vital investments to improve areas of infrastructure to continue to address water and sewer needs for their residents,” Kulik said. “These grants will go a long way toward ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation for folks who live in these neighborhoods." Read more
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