Community and Economic Development, Transportation Safety, Fresh Food and Additional Grant Opportunities

Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes March 31, 2026 | 10:03 AM

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS

Commonwealth Financing Authority: Business in Our Sites

Who May Apply: Municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities, private developers (construction loans only)

Use: The acquisition and development of key sites for future use by businesses, private developers, and others

Application Deadline: June 30, 2026

More information: CFA Website

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 is $72 million.

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026

More information: DCED Website

Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Defender Training Initiative

Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance statewide to juvenile defenders in Pennsylvania

Use: To provide systematic and comprehensive training for juvenile defenders that includes tools, strategies, mutual support, and best practices in the leadership, management, and administration of justice
Funds: A total of $150,000 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant over the two-year project period.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

More information: PCCD Website

Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Justice Reinvestment Initiative 2 (JRI-2) Grant

Who May Apply: Pennsylvania counties providing adult probation and parole services

Use: The implementation of promising, innovative, and evidence-based practices and programs and align with PCCD’s Operating Standards for Adult Probation and Parole Departments in Pennsylvania
Funds: $20,627,552 in JRI-2 funds is being made available to improve the delivery of county adult probation and parole services. These funds are being allocated to counties based on the current Continuing County Adult Probation and Parole Grant (CCAPPG) funding formula

Application Deadline: May 7, 2026

More information: PCCD Website

Department of Agriculture: Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant

Who May Apply: A person operating under a grant of inspection that meets the definition of ''very small establishments'' in 9 CFR 381.65(g)(1)(i) (relating to operations and procedures, generally)

Use: To cover costs associated with opening a new processing operation or the expansion of a current operation. The grants can also be used to cover the costs of getting a USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection
Funds: Grants are limited to no more than $100,000 per applicant

Application Deadline: May 8, 2026

More information: PDA Website

Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Transportation Enhancement Grants Program

Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or commonwealth agencies.

Use: Grant funding through the ARLE Funding Program may be utilized for a range of safety and mobility projects located in Pennsylvania.
Funds: PennDOT anticipates approximately $10 million from ARLE enforcement systems and $4 million from ASE enforcement systems to be available.

Application Deadline: Preapplication scoping forms are required. Feedback on preapplication submission forms submitted by April 30, 2026, will be provided by May 29, 2026. Applications will be accepted from June 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

More information: PennDOT Website

Department of Agriculture: Fresh Food Financing Initiative

Who May Apply: Entities primarily engaged (70% or more of revenue) in the sale of fresh, staple and perishable food to consumers.

Use: To improve access to fresh food, strengthen market opportunities for Pennsylvania producers, promote economic development, or encourage innovation.
Funds: Up to $2 million is available for this round of funding. A 15% match is required.

Application Deadline: May 20, 2026

More information: PDA Website

PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS:

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 Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program

Who May Apply: Pennsylvania residents whose total household income is below 400 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Level.

Use: This program provides a rebate to Pennsylvanians who purchase or lease alternative fuel vehicles.
Funds: Rebates vary depending on type of vehicle purchased.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a first come, first served basis as long as funds remain available. Please note applications must be received within six months of the date of the vehicle purchase.

More information: DEP Website

Department of Environmental Protection: WIIN 2107: Voluntary School and Childcare Lead testing and Reduction Grant

Who May Apply: Childcare facilities and schools located in Pennsylvania with lead in drinking water sample results within 36 months of the application date showing water fixtures exceeding the remediation trigger level of 5 ppb (parts per billion).

Use: Reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use devices designed to remove lead or replacement of faucets. The primary goal of this grant program is to reduce children's exposure to lead in drinking water.
Funds: Funding under this grant has been appropriated under 1464(d) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Funding provided will be up to $3,000 per hydration station per 100 students in one building. Up to $30,000 may be awarded per building/childcare facility or $100,000 per school district.

Application Deadline: Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss their lead reduction plans to ensure they meet applicable program criteria. Meetings can be scheduled by emailing RA-EPWIINLEAD@pa.gov.

More information: DEP Website

Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program

Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others

Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm.
Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted.

More information: PDA Website

Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania First

Who May Apply: Businesses, Municipalities, Municipal Authorities, Redevelopment Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities or Corporations, Local Development Districts.

Use: Machinery/equipment; Job training; Infrastructure; Land and building improvements; Environmental assessment/remediation; Acquisition of land, buildings, right-of-ways; Working capital; Site preparation.
Funds: Grants and loans are available assuming an applicant can meet the private investment requirement.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

More information: DCED Website

Commonwealth Financing Authority: Solar for Schools Program

Who May Apply: A school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, a chartered school for the education of the deaf or blind, a community college, the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Use: Purchase and installation of equipment for a solar energy project, energy storage costs related to the storage of electricity, engineering, design, and inspection costs, site preparation for ground mounted systems, or any other cost associated with a solar energy project.
Funds: $25 million in state funding is available.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

More information: DCED Website

Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence & Delinquency Prevention Programs

Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to local units of government (counties, municipalities), nonprofit organizations, private providers offering services to system-involved youth, and institutions of higher education.

Use: To strengthen community-based strategies that prevent youth violence, delinquency, and other problem behaviors, expand diversion and deflection opportunities, and support successful reentry in accordance with Balanced and Restorative Justice guiding principles.
Funds: A total of $5 million in state VDPP funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund a minimum of 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over an up-to-24-month project period.

Application Deadline: April 6, 2026

More information: PCCD Website

Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Product Promotion, Education and Export Promotion Matching Grant Program

Who May Apply: Nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate engagement in market research, product development or promotion of agricultural products grown, raised or produced in the Commonwealth

Use: To provide matching funds to nonprofit organizations engaged in market research, development or promotion of agricultural products
Funds: Up to $381,810.50 is available for grants under the Program

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

More information: PDA Website

Department of Agriculture: Pennsylvania Agriculture Innovation Grant Program

Who May Apply: A person who grows an agricultural commodity and who has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 per year, a person who processes an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than $10,000 per year, a person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or similar services, or a person or cooperative association that utilizes agricultural commodities to create products or energy.

Use: To help farmers and other agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations.
Funds: The program received $10 million in funding through the 2025/26 budget.

Application Deadline: April 18, 2026

More information: PDA Website

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2)

Who May Apply: County or Municipal Government, Higher Educational Institution, Other Educational Institution, Non-profit with 501(c)3 IRS Status and Non-profit with PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations Status.

Use: Park rehabilitation and development, recreation and conservation planning, land acquisition and conservation, trail projects, river conservation and development, and community and watershed forestry.
Funds: The total grant awards vary based on state and federal funding sources, with the program awarding approximately $50 million for projects each year. Individual grant amounts also vary, with typical awards ranging from $50,000 - $500,000.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

More information: DCNR Website

PennDOT: Automated School Bus Enforcement Grant Program

Who May Apply: School entities, independent school bus contractors, and municipal governments

Use: To cover costs associated with the issuance of CDL licenses to operate school buses within the Commonwealth or to increase school bus safety, education, and training
Funds: The total amount of funding available is $1.2 million. Grants can be awarded up to $100,000 per applicant

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

More information: PennDOT Website

Department of Environmental Protection: Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant Program

Who May Apply: Municipalities

Use: To develop and implement recycling programs
Funds: Grants are available up to $250,000.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

More information: DEP Website

Commonwealth Financing Authority: Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program

Who May Apply: Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Watershed Organizations, for profit businesses.

Use: Planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects.
Funds: Grant requests shall not exceed $250,000.