NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2026 More information: DCED Website Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Grant Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, or user of rail freight infrastructure Use: Capital maintenance of freight or intermodal rail infrastructure and capital construction of freight or intermodal rail infrastructure Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Motorized Trails and Recreation Program (formerly known as the All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Read more
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Learn more about SEPTA's New Bus Network Transit Talks and upcoming changes in my weekly email to constituents. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Nonprofit Security Grant Funds Who May Apply: Nonprofit organization based in Pennsylvania that serves primarily individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single hate crime incidents identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Use: Security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility including but not limited to safety and security planning, purchase of safety and security equipment, safety and security training, purchase of security-related technology, and specialty-trained canines, among other projects Funds: $10 million is available for projects. Application Deadline: September 10, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: NCA Member Child Advocacy Centers Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to all CACs listed in the Appendix Use: Funding to support compliance with NCA standards, to improve the work of the CAC and to apply for or achieve accreditation/reaccreditation, or for equipment necessary to support NCA standards of accrediation Funds: A total of approximately $2.067 million in state Act 28 of 2014 funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund forty-two (42) non-competitive, one-year grants with budgets allocated accordingly based on level of NCA membership Read more
Operating machinery that requires a CDL is an enormous responsibility and drivers must be competently trained in line with state and federal regulatory requirements,” Neilson said. “Letting these so-called training companies take shortcuts or work outside of the law is unacceptable because the smallest mistake can have devastating, life-threatening consequences to anyone who uses Pennsylvania roads. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Public School Facility Improvement Grant Who May Apply: School entities, defined as a school district or an area career and technical school. Use: Facility improvement projects, including but not limited to roof repair/replacement, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, plumbing systems, window repair/replacement, health and safety upgrades, and accessibility projects. Funds: $200 million in total funding is available. Grant requests shall not exceed $5 million per eligible improvement project. School entities may submit more than one application, but no school entity shall receive more than 20% of the total funding available. Application Deadline: A 10-day application window will open on July 27, 2026, and close on August 7, 2026. There will not be an additional funding round in fiscal year 2026-27. More information: CFA Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2027-2028 Rights and Services Act (RASA/Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) Solicitation Who May Apply: Counties Use: To support responsibilities assigned to prosecution and juvenile probation under the Crime Victims Act, the Juvenile Act, and Pennsylvania’s Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure. Funds: A total of $10,440,724 in federal and state funds is available in year 1. PCCD expects to fund approximately ninety-eight grants. Application Read more
I’m proud of the work we accomplished to keep Pennsylvania roads safe and up to par. This was a bipartisan effort that ensures roads, highways and bridges across the commonwealth will be safer and more efficient – for now and future generations.Neilson said that $775 million is coming to shovel-ready projects in all 67 counties on state roads in the next two fiscal years – without raising taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians. Read more
We’ve seen rising costs in all walks of life, and construction is no exception. Design-build-best-value allows the most qualified teams to be awarded contracts, complete them in a timely manner and ensure Pennsylvania drivers have a safe commute without time-consuming road projects.Currently, because of a 2011 Commonwealth Court decision, all contract construction work must be awarded to the lowest bidder, even if that bidder is the least qualified for the project.DBBV is used successfully in many states and has been shown to speed up construction and reduce costs. Read more
"This investment gives Philadelphia another competitive advantage in attracting shipbuilding and maritime businesses to the Navy Yard," Neilson said. "These are exactly the kinds of jobs we should be fighting for -- jobs that allow workers to support their families with good wages, quality healthcare and secure retirement benefits." Read more
Driving under the influence is a serious offense. It can alter lives forever, and offenders should absolutely be held accountable for their reckless decision. However, the program’s goal is to deter future offenses and promote rehabilitation. Once a person has served their time, it shouldn’t be a complicated, time-consuming process to remove the ignition interlock device Read more
These retirees spent decades serving our communities, educating our children, protecting our neighborhoods, responding to emergencies, and keeping state government running," Neilson said. "Meanwhile, the cost of groceries, utilities, housing and prescription medications has continued to climb. This adjustment recognizes both their service and today's economic reality Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program Who May Apply: Family farm corporations, family farm partnerships, farm enterprises, nonprofit education institutions Use: Reduce operating expenses through practices that are ecologically beneficial, improve soil quality and fertility, improve water quality, and reduce or eliminate the need for the purchase of off-farm inputs, such as chemical or synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. Funds: Grants may not exceed $25,000 except as provided in this subsection. An additional amount of up to $25,000 may be granted if the grantee matches that additional amount dollar for dollar so that an individual grant may not exceed $50,000 in one calendar year. Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Transportation: Career and Technical Education Grant Who May Apply: Public, private, and cyber schools, career and technical centers, youth development centers, and institutions of higher learning Use: To develop and implement new technical training curriculum or to expand existing technical training curriculum and/or delivery, relevant to the heavy highway industry Funds: The total amount of direct grant reimbursement funding available under this program is $12 million. PennDOT intends to award a single individual grant up to $500,000 per eligible applicant. Read more
Recognizing Concrete Pavement Week, June 28-July 4, 2026, in Pennsylvania Read more
House Bill 2336 would require PennDOT to include information for new drivers about safe driving habits in work zones, including a question on the driver’s license examination test. House Bill 2337 would give cities in Pennsylvania the option to enact local ordinances with stronger penalties for off-road vehicles used on city streets, improving quality of life and safety for residents. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES) Who May Apply: Private non-profit agency or unit of local government Use: To build on the work that has been completed to date and advance statewide training and technical assistance around the JJSES framework with a strong focus on continuous quality improvement and fundamental fairness Funds: A total of $450,000 in federal Title II Formula Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $450,000 over the 12- month project period. Matching funds are not a requirement of this funding opportunity, but a sustainability plan must be included as part of the application submitted. Application Deadline: July 13, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvements Who May Apply: State, county, or municipal forensic crime laboratories to support activities that improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services. Use: To improve the quality and timeliness of forensic services throughout Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on combating opioids and synthetic drugs through laboratory accreditation, the certification of forensic scientists, and the purchase of laboratory equipment. Funds: A total of approximately $740,000 in federal Paul Coverdell Forensic Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026/27 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Single Solicitation for Local Initiatives Who May Apply: Units of government (including counties) and non-profit organizations Use: To implement projects and programs that directly address the PCCD Objectives and Goals outlined in PCCD’s 2026-2030 Strategic Framework Funds: A total of $8,221,880 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 30-35 grants with budgets not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year project period. Application Deadline: July 14, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Department of Aging: Resilient environments for Aging and Dementia in Your Communities (READY Communities) Who May Apply: Non-profits, county and municipal governments, and coalitions of organizations Use: For community-based projects focused on improving the lives of older adults, people living with dementia, caregivers, and their communities Funds: A total of $325,000 is available with a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 More information: Aging Website Department of Environmental Protection: Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants Who May Apply: School districts; Municipal authorities; Political subdivisions; Incorporated Read more
Roadside assistance vehicles should be entitled to the same safety measures as tow trucks, who also work on the shoulders of busy roads. Flashing blue lights would alert passing motorists to the presence of these vehicles in ample time to make room for workers and drivers of disabled vehicles Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Act 167 Plans Who May Apply: Counties Use: To prepare and adopt a watershed stormwater management plan. Funds: Grant awards will be at least $30,000 and not more than $50,000. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants Who May Apply: Municipalities, municipal authorities, and appropriate incorporated nonprofit organizations Use: The design, construction and/or rehabilitation of treatment facilities on ABS Legacy AMD discharge sites, but grants may also be awarded for ABS bond forfeited land reclamation projects. Application Deadline: June 22, 2026 More information: DEP 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 Read more
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House paved the way for the state to allow digital driver's licenses for the first time ever. The bill, which passed 186–15, would make Pennsylvania the 19th state in the nation to offer digital licenses and ID cards. It would require someone to have REAL ID before being issued a mobile product, and physical IDs must still be shown during traffic stops. Read more
Pennsylvania House lawmakers voted Tuesday afternoon to allow PennDOT to offer electronic forms of driver's licenses and ID cards.The bill would give Pennsylvanians the option to obtain an electronic driver's license and ID card in addition to physical ones. Read more
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