State grants fund supports for autistic residents, community arts and higher ed Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that he has been elected as the new chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation . “I’m grateful to my colleagues for giving me the honor to serve as chair and elevate the priorities of our delegation both in Harrisburg and across our region. With so much uncertainty facing our country and state, our region will need to display strong leadership focused on improving the quality of life for our residents,” Abney said. “I look forward to working with our government partners and other stakeholders alike to promote an agenda that is realistic, relevant and impactful.” Abney previously served as city vice chair on the delegation and assumes the role previously held by state Sen.-elect Nick Pisciottano. Abney has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since April 2022. Membership of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation is comprised of state Reps. Jessica Benham, Brandon Markosek, Dan Deasy, Dan Frankel, Matthew R. Gergely, Emily Kinkead, Anita Kulik, La’Tasha D. Mayes, Joe McAndrew, Dan Miller, Lindsay Powell, Abigail Salisbury, Mandy Steele and Arvind Venkat. State Rep.-elect John Inglis will fill the vacancy left by Pisciottano. Read more
Newly listed state grant programs Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of more than $1.5 million in state conservation grants has been awarded to four projects in the city of Pittsburgh. Powell collaborated with fellow Allegheny County state Reps. Aerion A. Abney, Abigail Salisbury and Jessica Benham and fellow county state Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana to secure $604,400 in Community Conservation Partnerships Program funds for the coordination of an Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program in the Steel City by the Student Conservation Association Inc. She also joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped to provide a $600,000 C2P2 grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps. Powell and Fontana facilitated $250,000 in C2P2 funding to rehabilitate and further develop Spring Hill Park. Work will include: Renovation of baseball fields. Construction of basketball and pickleball court, splash pad, internal loop trail, pedestrian walkway, access drive and parking area. Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, fitness equipment, utilities and fencing. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. In addition, Powell and Allegheny County state Reps. Abney and La’Tasha D. Mayes and county state Sens. Fontana Read more
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that $333,200 in state conservations grants were awarded to two projects in Pennsylvania’s 30th Legislative District in McCandless and Franklin Park, along with over half a million related dollars for the city of Pittsburgh. “As a practicing emergency physician, I’m keenly aware of the importance exercise and green space are for our overall well-being, and these funds will help our community have fun and stay healthy at the same time. Growing recreational opportunities and taking care of our surroundings will make our communities more appealing to residents and visitors alike and do our part for the planet too,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.” Venkat and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, helped facilitate $288,400 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funds for rehabilitating North Park in McCandless Township. Work will include: Construction of a pedestrian walkway. Parking area and stormwater management. Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing. ADA access. Landscaping. Other related site improvements. “North Park is a destination for so many people in our region, whether it’s to walk, bike, row, ice skate or celebrate with friends and family. This investment in keeping the park safe and accessible Read more
BRADDOCK, Nov. 13 – New funding of $660,500 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will bring urban tree planting and stewardship programs to Wilkinsburg and Forest Hills boroughs, while an additional $1.2 million in DCNR grants will allow those programs to flourish in the city of Pittsburgh, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. “It's hard to overestimate the importance of trees, particularly in urban areas,” Salisbury said. “They’re a natural way to reduce stormwater runoff, fight flooding, improve air quality and even reduce noise – not to mention the proven mental health benefits that even small areas of nature can provide. “With the new funding, Wilkinsburg and Forest Hills boroughs and the city of Pittsburgh will be engaging communities in tree planting and stewardship and bringing residents and nature together in ways that will yield multiple, long-lasting benefits.” Salisbury said the funding includes: $500,000 to Wilkinsburg Borough for a project to coordinate urban and community forestry by engaging communities in planting trees and building tree stewardship capacity. $160,500 to Forest Hills Borough for a project to coordinate urban and community forestry by engaging communities in planting trees and building tree stewardship capacity. $600,000 to Pittsburgh Conservation Corps to coordinate and fund an urban wood Read more
Funding will support ADA-compliant sidewalks and safety improvements Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of $1,306,600 in state conservation grants was awarded to three projects in Pittsburgh. Abney collaborated with fellow Allegheny County state Reps. Lindsay Powell, Abigail Salisbury and Jessica Benham and state Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana to secure $604,400 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funds for the coordination of an Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program in the Steel City by the Student Conservation Association Inc. He also joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped make possible a $600,000 C2P2 grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps. Abney, Powell, Fontana and Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes and state Sen. Lindsey Williams facilitated $102,200 in C2P2 dollars for the acquisition of approximately 8.94 acres in Pittsburgh for open space and passive recreation as well. “Pittsburgh is proud to do its part in the ongoing international campaign to safeguard the environment. Moreover, adding opportunities for neighbors to have fun while experiencing all the Steel City has to offer will make it a more welcoming and hospitable place for neighbors and visitors alike,” Abney said. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.” The Read more
"These projects show how important community conservation initiatives are to improving our public spaces, creating more opportunities for outdoor fun, and boosting job development," state Rep. Dan Deasy said. "I am pleased to see the state invest in projects that encourage folks to spend time outdoors and protect the green spaces within our communities.” Read more
“These grants represent our commitment to enhancing and protecting our district's natural and recreational spaces,” said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “From developing a conservation plan for the Youghiogheny River to improving recreational facilities in Pitcairn and supporting Pittsburgh Conservation Corps' workforce development, these projects will benefit our communities, support the local economy, and provide lasting green spaces for future generations.” Read more
The event highlighted the recently signed-into-law H.B. 843, a bill that takes a major step forward for urban search and rescue capabilities throughout western PA Read more
State grant to fund HVAC improvements Read more
Last week, South Asians and Hindus across Pennsylvania celebrated their first Diwali since Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a law making the festival of lights an official state holiday in Pennsylvania. Read more
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 2 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat and state Sens. Lindsey Williams and Wayne Fontana announced that $1 million in state grants were awarded to two local institutions. Venkat and Williams helped secure $500,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds for reconfiguring and expanding the Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company’s station. “Our volunteer firefighters protect us every day. I am always proud to work with my colleague, Sen. Williams, and Gov. Shapiro to support their vital work,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This grant will ensure the Peebles District Volunteer Fire Company in McCandless has the infrastructure it needs to continue their essential duties.” “Peebles VFD has prioritized increasing the number of volunteers able to respond to every call the department receives and to improving the safety of those members while on duty. These station upgrades will give the department the space they need to improve response times, properly store needed equipment, and recruit and retain active members,” said Williams, D-Allegheny. “I’m proud to support our first responders so that they can focus on what they do best—protecting our community.” Venkat and Fontana facilitated the delivery of $500,000 RACP dollars for constructing a science and activities building on the campus of Holy Family Institute, as well. “Holy Family Institute and Nazareth Prep are Read more
“Investing in housing projects for the people of Pittsburgh, coupled with dollars for scientific research and the arts, means that the Steel City will continue to be a welcoming place to neighbors and visitors alike,” Abney said. “Thank you to Sen. Fontana for his collaboration in acquiring the funding.” Read more
“I've listened closely to our Penn Hills community, and the message was clear: we need to invest in our youth and provide more after-school opportunities,” McAndrew said. “These two grants are more than funding – they're a commitment to our young people. I’m proud to support projects where young people can learn, grow and build their futures.” Read more
Powell and state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, helped secure Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds for two projects: MI Strip Works LLC which was presented with $2.5 million for constructing Building A of the eventual Brickworks residential development; and the Clemente Collection at Engine House 25 received $750,000 for installations and upgrades at The Clemente Museum. Read more
BRADDOCK, Nov. 1 – Two grants totaling more than $1.1 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will fund improvements to community buildings in Swissvale and Wilkinsburg, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said $850,000 to the Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery will support building renovations to help the group expand its outreach. “POWER does incredible work helping to empower and transform the lives of women facing substance use disorder,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will support needed improvements to two buildings on the group’s unique, Swissvale-based campus, which consolidates all levels of care in one location. The renovations will allow POWER to enhance and expand its services to reach more women.” “POWER is an organization close to my heart, and they have been doing excellent work supporting women in their recovery journeys,” state Sen. Jay Costa said. “I am honored to have played a small part in delivering funds that support their brave, life-saving mission.” Salisbury said a second grant of $275,000 to Wilkinsburg Borough will support needed improvements to the borough’s municipal building. “These are important improvements required to make the building safer, more accessible, more useful and more comfortable for the public employees and first responders based there,” Salisbury said. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 1 – More than $1 million in grant funding is coming back to the 36 th Legislative District to support construction and renovation projects, state Rep. Jessica Benham announced today. Benham said the funding includes $850,000 to WAG4 LP for the St. Peters Church Redevelopment project and $250,000 to Brentwood Borough to support construction of a new municipal building. “I'm always looking for ways to make our community spaces more accessible," said Benham, D-Allegheny. "I'm pleased this new funding that Senator Costa and I secured is going to help transform the former St. Peters Church into a multi-use space for our friends and neighbors.” Benham said the project will include interior demolition work to transform the building into new office spaces, medical rooms, a front entrance lobby, elevators and ADA accessible restrooms and features. In addition, the exterior façade will be restored and rehabbed, and a new drive-through with canopy will be constructed. New sidewalks will be constructed, and the existing parking lot will be upgraded and improved. Benham said the grant funding to Brentwood Borough would support work on the borough’s new municipal offices as part of the Brentwood Borough Economic Development II project. “With the former building already demolished and the site ready for new construction, I’m thrilled to see work moving Read more
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 1 – New funding of $11.25 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will support major construction and renovation projects in the 23 rd Legislative District, state Rep. Dan Frankel announced today. Frankel said part of the funding will be used for renovations to the Tree of Life. “These dollars show our commonwealth’s commitment to the historic Tree of Life project,” said Frankel. “I am proud to help ensure that the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in America will stand as a monument to tolerance, education and resilience.” “As our community has found ways to heal and grow in the aftermath of the Tree of Life shooting, it has been a humble honor to share in the work to support our Jewish friends and neighbors,” said Sen. Jay Costa. “The funding Representative Frankel and I secured will continue to enforce our commitment to safe, vibrant spaces for the Jewish community as they gather to educate, volunteer and worship.” Other funding will support work that Frankel said will lay the groundwork for new, mixed-used affordable housing and commercial space and will fully transform the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh’s playground. “It’s crucial to children’s development that they have access to facilities that exercise their bodies, minds and social skills,” Frankel said. Read more
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