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

(Jul 08, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments or nonprofits with a separate eligible applicant. Use: To construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Funds: $80 million in funding is available through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Block Grant Program. Awards will be at least $50,000 and at maximum $1.5 million. This is a reimbursement program and no funds are provided upfront. Application Deadline: Webinar will be held July 9, 2025. Application period opens July 14, 2025. Draft applications due September 5, 2025. Final applications due October 31, 2025 More information: PennDOT 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 Read more

 

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

(Jun 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic Read more

 

State must step up as federal government abandons commitment to homeless students

(Jun 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania has grown to crisis proportions over the past few years, with 46,714 children and youth identified as homeless in 2023, according to a state report. Despite this unprecedented increase in need, the federal resources that allow schools, nonprofits and other institutions to support these vulnerable young people in their educational pursuits are being cut off and are at risk of disappearing entirely. If we are serious about providing every child in Pennsylvania with the education they’ll ultimately need to land stable employment and contribute to our economy, the commonwealth must dedicate targeted state dollars to support students experiencing homelessness. Although this need has never been more urgent, federal support is evaporating. In March, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled spending extensions for American Rescue Plan funds, eliminating hundreds of millions in education funding for Pennsylvania schools. This funding rescission’s effects are being felt most acutely by our most vulnerable students. The U.S. Department of Education clawed back $9.2 million specifically designated to help homeless children and youth access education. That’s a whopping 29% of the initial $36 million investment meant to support these students. Even more troubling, the budget proposal that is moving through Congress would, if passed, eliminate all funding for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Read more

 

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House

(Jun 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians who are unable to secure adequate housing due to an eviction passed the House today (105-98), announced the bill’s sponsors, state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, Jordan A. Harris, Elizabeth Fiedler and Rich Krajewski. “Evictions have contributed to the spiraling housing crisis in Pennsylvania by making it difficult, if not impossible, for deserving working Pennsylvanians to access safe and affordable housing in which to raise their children and help them secure and keep career-advancing jobs,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, said. The legislation, H.B. 1095 , aims to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. "Secure, affordable housing is more than a roof over someone’s head – it’s a critical building block for economic mobility, family stability, and safer neighborhoods," said Harris, who is majority chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "This legislation ensures that Pennsylvanians aren’t forever Read more

 

Over $2M in Grants for Our District and We're Hiring!

(Jun 20, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, It’s been a busy couple of weeks, helping to pass legislation that will improve life in our communities. In this e-newsletter, I’m sharing with you information that I hope you will find helpful. ? We're Hiring! ? Juneteenth Celebrations in Lancaster ? Over $2M in Grants for Our District ? Protecting our health care systems from corporate greed ? Mass transit isn’t a luxury, but a lifeline ? Improving Black maternal health ? State grants now accepting applications ? Register for my Back to School Event Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El helps secure over $2M for Lancaster County housing assistance, homelessness prevention, home modification programs

(Jun 18, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, June 18 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, helped secure grants totaling $2,035,000 from the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency to provide low-income and unhoused Lancastrians secure, permanent housing and give existing homeowners the resources needed to repair their aging homes. “Housing is basic human right,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But for many people due to the affordable housing crisis, it feels like an out-of-reach luxury. These PHARE grants will provide critical funding to ensure that vulnerable populations, such as individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, can find stable housing like at Dinah’s Hill Apartments, or low-income homeowners living in aging homes can make the necessary repairs to make them safe and inhabitable, as Partners with Purpose is doing. “Too often the poor are not treated with the respect they deserve as human beings, and one of the things they are forced to make do with is living in substandard public housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “So, I am particularly thrilled that the Lancaster City’s Farnum Street East project has received $300,000 in funding to rehabilitate the public housing structure. This money will help ensure that its 169 units will be comfortable homes for some of our city's most vulnerable residents. It's what they merit as members of our community." The successful applicants receiving funding are: $35,000 for Good Read more

 

Federal government is abandoning its commitment to homeless students : The Commonwealth of PA Must Step Up Now!

(Jun 16, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Child and youth homelessness in Pennsylvania has grown to crisis proportions over the past few years, with 46,714 children and youth identified as homeless in 2023. Despite this unprecedented increase in need, the federal resources that allow schools, nonprofits, and other institutions to support these vulnerable young people in their educational pursuits are being cut off and at risk of disappearing entirely. If we are serious about providing every child in Pennsylvania the education they’ll ultimately need to land stable employment and contribute to our economy, the Commonwealth must dedicate targeted state dollars to support students experiencing homelessness. Although this need has never been more urgent, federal support is evaporating. In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled spending extensions for American Rescue Plan funds, eliminating hundreds of millions in education funding for Pennsylvania schools. This funding rescission’s effects are being felt most acutely by our most vulnerable students. The U.S. Education Department clawed back $9.2 million specifically designated to help homeless children and youth access education. That’s a whopping 29% of the initial $36 million investment meant to support these students. Even more troubling, the presidential budget proposal that is moving through Congress would, if passed, eliminate all funding for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which Read more

 

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

(Jun 12, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Mixed-Use Revitalization Program Who May Apply: Developers (person or business entity with a demonstrated history of advancing commercial or mixed-use redevelopment projects Use: A community revitalization project that promotes economic growth and includes commercial assets. Eligible projects must be on at least 15 acres of land, contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of 7/11/24, and be zoned for planned end use. Funds: Grant amount shall not exceed more than twice the amount of matching funds provided by the developer or $3,000,000, whichever is less. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: CFA Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Grant Who May Apply: Individuals or organizations focused on agriculture research Use: Research on topic areas listed here Funds: All funding is contingent upon 2025-2026 budget appropriations Application Deadline: July 25, 20225 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: Read more

 

Join Us for a Day of Advocacy for PA Momnibus 2.0 on June 16!

(Jun 06, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Beginning this session week, the PA Legislature began its work on passing the 2025-26 state budget. I will keep you updated on progress on social media and in my weekly newsletters. Also, in this e-newsletter: ? Join us for a Day of Advocacy! New Momnibus 2.0 Legislative Package! ? Delivering for You in Harrisburg: Bills Passed This Week ? The Fight for Funding Public Transit is on! ? A Successful Shred & E-Cycling Event ? Fall 2025 PA House Legislative Fellowship Program ? PA House of Representatives Archival Internship Program ? Trump Cuts Postpone Voucher Program ? How a Bill Becomes a Law ? State Grants Now Accepting Applications ? Back to School Event Read more

 

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

(Jun 05, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Grant Memo: June 4 Read more

 

Happy Memorial Day; My Shred Event is Next Saturday!

(May 22, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Happy Memorial Day In between the cookouts and fireworks, please take the time to remember our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for us—so we can enjoy the freedom we have today. Please note my office will close in observance of Memorial Day at noon on Friday, May 23 and will reopen on Tuesday morning, May 27 . Read more

 

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

(May 22, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El to hold free shred and e-cycling event May 31

(May 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 19 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host a free shred and e-cycling event with Goodwill Keystone from 9 a.m. to noon May 31. The event will take place at the New Life Christian Fellowship Parking Lot, 1501 Millersville Pike. “My free shred and e-cycling event is a great opportunity for residents to declutter their homes and safely dispose of personal information in an environmentally friendly way,” Smith-Wade-El said. “I cannot stress enough that this shredding event is one of best ways to ensure that your confidential and sensitive documents are properly disposed of and your information is not used without your knowledge. And you will feel good knowing that the clothes that you no longer wear and the housewares you no longer use will go to someone who needs them. I encourage everyone in the 49th District to take advantage of this free event to protect their privacy and support the community.” Residents can dispose of the sensitive documents, including: Financial statements. Canceled checks. Income tax information. Insurance and medical records. Retirement and pension records. Electronics: Accepting unwanted electronics except for large appliances, hazardous household waste and any mercury and freon-containing devices. Clothing: Accepting gently used clothing. Housewares: Accepting housewares in good condition. Households only, no businesses. Residents may bring up Read more

 

Grant Memo: May 7

(May 15, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus May 7, 2025 | 3:14 PM NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Sports Marketing and Tourism Grant Who May Apply: A municipality, a local authority, a nonprofit organization, or a legal entity that meets all of the following criteria: • the applicant participates or plans to participate in a competitive selection process; • the site selection process is conducted by a Site Selection Organization not located in this Commonwealth; • The applicant is seeking to secure a single year or multiyear commitment from a site selection organization to conduct high quality, amateur and professional sporting or esports events at one or more locations in this Commonwealth. Use: To attract high-quality, amateur, and professional sporting and e-sports events to this Commonwealth with the goal of advancing and promoting year-round tourism, economic impact, and quality of life through sport. Application Deadline: June 6, 2025 More information: DCED Website Historical & Museum Commission: Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Who May Apply: Non-profit organizations that have been incorporated for at least two years. Use: To enhance the preservation and accessibility of valuable historical records across the Commonwealth Funds: Grants will be awarded up to Read more

 

Register for My Back to School Event!

(May 09, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, My Eviction Sealing Bill Heads to the House Floor This week, my legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians whose records prevent them from being able to secure adequate housing was reported out of committee with overwhelming bipartisan support, 23-3. The bill would protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing reported out of committee

(May 05, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HARRISBURG, May 5 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El’s legislation that would seal eviction records for the millions of Pennsylvanians whose records prevent them from being able to secure adequate housing was reported out of committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support, 23-3. “Pennsylvania’s families deserve access to safe and affordable housing where they can raise their children and our workers deserve the opportunity to secure career-advancing jobs,” Smith-Wade-El said. “But millions of Pennsylvanians, who have eviction records, can’t find housing because of a past eviction, creating instability in family life and disrupting workforce development for entire communities.” Smith-Wade-El introduced H.B. 1095 to protect communities and ensure fair housing access by instituting a statewide policy that would establish procedures to limit access to eviction records in certain cases, such as no-fault evictions. In cases where the tenant has been determined to be at fault by a judge, the records would remain accessible to the public for seven years, bringing them into line with policies related to bankruptcies and foreclosures. According to Smith-Wade-El, most landlords and property managers now use automated tenant screening measures that deny the application of anyone with a single eviction record. That’s even the case if the motion to evict was withdrawn, the court found in favor of the tenant, or the tenant Read more

 

REAL ID Goes into Effect Wednesday--Are You Ready?

(May 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

REAL ID Goes into Effect Wednesday--Are You Ready? Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El holds news conference to encourage state investment in small businesses

(May 01, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, May 1 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El held a news conference Wednesday to draw attention to the critical importance of state investments in small businesses as drivers of local economies. The news conference at ASSETS in Lancaster specifically highlighted the role that the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program has played in helping minority-owned businesses succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Historically disadvantaged small businesses are defined under this program as minority businesses generating annual revenues of $1 million or less and employing fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. According to DCED, disadvantaged businesses on average have less access to capital, are three times more likely to be denied loans, are more likely to pay a higher interest rate and are more likely to receive lower loan amounts than non-minority owned firms. To rectify this historical economic inequity, Gov. Josh Shapiro secured $20 million in state funds for historically disadvantaged small businesses for the first time in the 2023-24 state budget. The new state-funded Historically Disadvantaged Business program opened in 2024, disbursing microgrants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to qualifying minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. “As we prepare to pass another budget — a moral statement of Read more

 

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

(Apr 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities. Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired. Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant Who May Apply: Counties Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan. Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s Read more

 

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

(Apr 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements Grant Program (ARLE Program) Who May Apply: Local governments, planning organizations, or Commonwealth agencies. Use: Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, local technical assistance program projects, and traffic signal improvements. Funds: PennDOT anticipates $32 million available with the intent of funding worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost. Application Deadline: A pre-application scoping form is required to be submitted by April 30, 2025. Feedback will be provided by May 31, 2025. The application period will be open from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. More information: PennDOT Website Department of Community and Economic Development: COVID-19 ARPA Digital Connectivity Technology Program Who May Apply: Public-facing institutions, to include but not limited to, libraries, schools, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions located in areas where affordability has been identified as a barrier to broadband adoption and use. Use: The acquisition of digital connectivity technology that facilitates broadband internet access and promotes digital literacy and skills training. These devices will be Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 08, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 26, 2025

State must step up as federal government abandons commitment to homeless students
Jun 26, 2025

Legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing passes the House
Jun 23, 2025

Over $2M in Grants for Our District and We're Hiring!
Jun 20, 2025

Smith-Wade-El helps secure over $2M for Lancaster County housing assistance, homelessness prevention, home modification programs
Jun 18, 2025

Federal government is abandoning its commitment to homeless students : The Commonwealth of PA Must Step Up Now!
Jun 16, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 12, 2025

Join Us for a Day of Advocacy for PA Momnibus 2.0 on June 16!
Jun 06, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jun 05, 2025

Happy Memorial Day; My Shred Event is Next Saturday!
May 22, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
May 22, 2025

Smith-Wade-El to hold free shred and e-cycling event May 31
May 19, 2025

Grant Memo: May 7
May 15, 2025

Register for My Back to School Event!
May 09, 2025

Smith-Wade-El’s legislation to seal eviction records for millions of Pennsylvanians who struggle to find housing reported out of committee
May 05, 2025

REAL ID Goes into Effect Wednesday--Are You Ready?
May 02, 2025

Smith-Wade-El holds news conference to encourage state investment in small businesses
May 01, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 23, 2025

Transportation, Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment and Additional Grant Opportunities
Apr 02, 2025