AMBRIDGE, Jan. 21 – Public schools in Beaver County’s Aliquippa and Hopewell Area school districts and Allegheny County’s Quaker Valley School District will enjoy new safety resources thanks to nearly $104,300 in funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding is part of the 2021-22 Safe Schools Targeted Grants program administered by the state Department of Education. “The grant funding announced today will help ensure our district schools have the resources they need to keep students and staff safe and to give them the peace of mind they need for a productive, worry-free educational environment,” Matzie said. The funding includes a $19,730 program grant to the Aliquippa School District, a $24,568 equipment grant to Quaker Valley School District, and $60,000 grant to the Hopewell Area School District to continue a school resource officer position. The grants are part of a package of $8 million in competitive grants awarded statewide. More information on the specific awardees and amounts is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, is reminding residents about two recent programs that can provide eligible households assistance with water and broadband services. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can assist households in danger of losing water service. “For residents facing a risk of having their water services terminated, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can provide crisis grants – which do not need to be repaid – directly to the service provider,” Matzie said. “Eligible households can receive up to two $2,500 grants – one for water service and one for wastewater service. I urge anyone with past-due water bills who may be facing a shutoff threat to apply.” Matzie said a second program – the Affordable Connectivity Program – can help low-income households that are having difficulty paying for Internet service. “The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households stay connected by providing monthly discounts of up to $30 per month on broadband service,” Matzie said. “With so many important life activities depending on a reliable connection, this is a lifeline no family should have to lose, especially when help is available.” Matzie said households may be able to qualify for several Read more
On Jan. 4 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association released its list of football classifications for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Using total male enrollment numbers for grades 9 through 11, the PIAA separates football programs into six classifications, with 6A being the largest and 1A being the smallest. The range for 5A is 383 to 557. Aliquippa currently has 118 boys enrolled yet was classified as 5A. Yes, you read that right. How is that possible? The answer is something called the PIAA competitive balance rule. Ironic, given that the way it is being applied to Aliquippa is anything but balanced. I don’t need to recap the success and tradition of Aliquippa football to anyone even remotely aware of sports in Western PA. Aliquippa football has always voluntarily played a level or two above their designated classification for years. They have embraced the challenge and competition that goes with playing bigger schools with larger enrollment and more resources. Which brings us back to the competitive balance rule. Originally instituted to prevent open transfer recruiting by private high school sports factories, the competitive balance rule uses a program’s number of transfers combined with “success points” to determine if that program should be automatically elevated a classification level. But this rule has a fundamental flaw Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 20 – A grant of $216,500 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development will fund streetscape improvements for the city of Aliquippa, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant, awarded under the Keystone Communities Program, will fund work planned by the city’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Program. “The securing of this funding is part of the ongoing collaboration with Mayor Walker, council and administration to bring much-needed funding for improvements that match with other dollars brought back that are making a real difference,” he said. More about the funding is available here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15 – State Rep. Rob Matzie lauded today’s final passage of legislation to expand reliable, high-speed broadband throughout the commonwealth, calling the move a “historic step” to close the digital divide in Pennsylvania. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said H.B. 2071 will establish the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority – charged with creating a broadband plan and distributing grants for broadband expansion projects – and bring critical connections to previously unserved or underserved areas. “In a world where so many important services are offered online, the lack of reliable and affordable high-speed Internet isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a major quality-of-life issue, and one that has plagued residents in certain communities for years,” said Matzie, who, as Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, helped guide the bill through the legislative process. “Easy access to fast, reliable internet is a necessity of modern life. But as we know all too well, a large gap exists – what we call the digital divide. “Today, we took an historic, bipartisan step to close that digital divide once and for all and ensure that all Pennsylvanians – regardless of where they live – have access to telemedicine, online shopping, remote learning, entertainment, and the multitude of other benefits those critical broadband connections Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been awarded more than $1.24 million for infrastructure upgrades to help it serve more of the community, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant – awarded under the COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program – will allow the food bank to purchase equipment to expand food storage and delivery capacity. “Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and their partners in Beaver and Allegheny counties have always been an important resource for families facing food insecurity,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand the food bank’s capacity to store and deliver food so that it can reach more households in need.” The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program allows Pennsylvania food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. The grants are part of a package of $11.4 million in funding to food banks statewide. More information on the grants is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – The Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation is receiving $4,000 in state funding, and history centers and museums in Allegheny County were awarded more than $274,000, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants, which consist of nearly $2 million in funding to 154 museums and county historical societies statewide under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and additional funding of $175,000 to 34 organizations statewide under the Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Program. “I was excited to join the board in approving this funding for the organizations and museums that play such a vital role in keeping our history alive,” Matzie said. “Here at home, new funding to the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will support staff in their efforts to collect and preserve area landmarks, documents and other artifacts and showcase them in a way that engages the public, stimulates young minds, and keeps the story of our past alive for future generations.” Matzie said regional funding under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program includes: Beaver County Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation - $4,000 Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – Grant funding of $469,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will strengthen Beaver County programs to investigate and prosecute domestic violence and child abuse and expand supports and services for victims, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Women’s Center of Beaver County will receive $375,000 for the STOP Violence Against Women Advocacy Project, while the Beaver County satellite office of A Child’s Place will receive $47,000 directly and benefit from another $47,000 awarded to the Allegheny County office to fund a community/police liaison. “Securing this funding will allow the Women’s Center to strengthen investigation and prosecution of violence against women and expand services and supports – including medical care, shelter, advocacy, safety planning and other resources – to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” Matzie said. “The funding to A Child’s Place will provide resources to beef up investigation and prosecution of child abuse and help educate the community on how to recognize and prevent abuse. In addition, funding to the affiliated Child’s Place office in Allegheny County will provide the Beaver County office with a community/police liaison to maintain relations and exchange information between child advocacy staff and law enforcement.” Mazie said that in addition to Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 19 – Two grants totaling more than $326,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund road and playground improvement projects for Hopewell and Harmony townships, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said a $226,453 grant to Hopewell awarded under the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program will allow the township to construct a new box culvert and bridge along Laird Drive, which leads directly into Hopewell Community Park. “The work funded by this grant – including nearly 250 square yards of road paving and installation of 200 feet of guardrail – will reduce roadway flooding and provide alternative routes for pedestrians, cyclists and children traveling to three Hopewell schools,” Matzie said. He said the total project cost is $266,424 and that the township is requesting a waiver of the match requirement but will fund nearly $40,000, or 15% of the project. Matzie said that a $100,000 grant to Harmony Township, awarded under the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, will allow the township to continue improving the playground at Beaver Road Park. “Securing this funding will allow Harmony Township to install a new play surface; replace outdated play equipment with new, more accessible equipment; and add features that stimulate kids’ senses. Those improvements will make the park safer and more Read more
Federal grant supported by legislator brings ‘tremendous opportunity’ to region Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 20 – State funding of more than $3.1 million will allow the city of Aliquippa to continue eliminating a potential lead risk in the city’s drinking water, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the new funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority will finance the second phase of a project to remove and replace lead service lines – work made necessary after testing revealed concerning lead levels in some residents’ drinking water. “After water sampling in 2020 showed lead in residents’ drinking water, replacing the system’s lead service lines with copper lines became an immediate priority,” Matzie said. “In spring, we secured initial funding to replace 184 lines. That was a step in the right direction, but more work remains to eliminate the threat to all residents. “Securing this additional $3 million will allow the water authority to replace 275 lead service lines, including the lines on the customers’ side. People need to be able to put concerns over the safety of their drinking water behind them, and this funding brings us one step closer to that.” Matzie said the funding to the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa includes a combination of $1.9 million in grant funding and a $1.2 million low-interest loan and that without it, residents would have faced an estimated 3% Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 14 – Beaver County residents will have greater access to affordable housing, thanks to more than $2.4 million in federal funding awarded today, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding to Hudson Companies for the Wayne Court Development in Ambridge includes approximately $1.25 million awarded under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and nearly $1.19 million from the National Housing Trust Fund. “For low-income families, housing expenses can eat up a huge chunk of the budget, and that problem has been growing as Pennsylvania families are facing rising rents and a shortage of affordable housing,” Matzie said. “The low-income tax credits awarded today will help offset this trend by bringing more low-cost housing options into the mix.” The federal tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by the agency’s board. The funding is part of a package of $43.6 million awarded statewide for the construction of 1,974 affordable multifamily rental units. More information on the awards is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 13 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding the state Department of Environmental Protection’s denial of PennEnergy’s request to withdraw 3 million gallons of water daily from Big Sewickley Creek: “I am pleased by the denial. DEP noted no less than seven areas of concern and deficiencies in the application by PennEnergy Resources to withdraw water from the Big Sewickley Creek, which flows through a portion of my legislative district. “While the clock on the appeal process begins, I am hopeful that PennEnergy finds a different source of water rather than go against the wishes of the communities and many individuals who care deeply about any possible damage to this valuable water source. In most cases, I believe we can have energy extraction and maintain a clean, healthy environment. I do not believe this is one of those cases. “Regardless of any decision by a regulator or the courts, abandoning the plan to withdraw water from Big Sewickley Creek should be the decision by PennEnergy Resources -- not because it’s the most sound business decision, but because it’s the right thing to do.” In a July letter to DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, Matzie called on the department to deny PennEnergy’s request, citing concerns that withdrawing high volumes of water from the creek would escalate existing drought and Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 6 – State Rep. Rob Matzie announced today that a $1.24 million low-interest loan will fund the purchase of a multi-tenant commercial building in Hopewell Township. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the loan to Pauana Holdings LLC, through the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development, is an investment that will spur economic growth for the region. “The funding to Pauana Holdings will allow it to purchase a multi-tenant, 40,000-square-foot building located in Hopewell Township that will offer a combination of office and industrial space,” Matzie said. “That spells great news for the local economy because it will generate new business activity and create at least 25 new, full-time jobs over the next several years. Matzie said the 15-year loan has a fixed 2.5% interest rate. The total project cost is $3.2 million. The loan was approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. More information about the project is available here , and more about PIDA is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 5 – Residents in Beaver and Allegheny counties recovering from substance use disorder will benefit from new supports, thanks to nearly $1.3 million in grant funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding will help several area organizations provide employment and pregnancy-related support services to Beaver and Allegheny County residents in recovery. “People recovering from substance use disorder work hard to get through treatment and return to productive lives, but their success depends on access to ongoing support,” Matzie said. “This funding will provide that support by helping residents in recovery get jobs and ensuring pregnant and postpartum women have the services they need for a healthy return to the community.” Matzie said the following organizations are receiving funding to serve residents in Beaver, Allegheny, and several other counties: Life’s Work of Western PA (employment support services) - $387,500. Allegheny Health Network (pregnancy/postpartum support services) – $583,153. Center for Community Resources Inc. (pregnancy/postpartum support services) – $296,092. In addition, Matzie said two organizations serving Allegheny County residents will receive $1.1 million. They include $700,000 to Sage’s Army, which provides community recovery and support Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 1 – More than $140,000 in grant funding will help close connectivity gaps for students in the Ambridge Area School District by ensuring all students have access to internet and technology resources, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding from the Emergency Connectivity Fund will help schools and libraries ensure students have equal access to tech tools that are so important for off-campus learning. “Digital access is key to helping reinforce what kids learn in the classroom, but for some, access to those tools is not a given,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help us close the digital divide and ensure all kids have the access they need to achieve, regardless of household income.” Matzie said the program will help schools and libraries cover costs associated with digital devices such as laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, educators and library patrons who currently lack sufficient access to broadband and connected devices. The funding is part of a package of $20 million in funding to school districts statewide under the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a temporary fund created through the American Rescue Plan and administered by the Federal Communications Commission. More about the awards is Read more
Bipartisan group of legislators come together to celebrate manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Sept. 8 – More than $390,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will keep Beaver County students learning about the risks of opioids and help families develop the skills to keep kids safe, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding includes $370,805 to Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pennsylvania to continue the Beaver County Opioid Prevention Project – one of five pilot programs statewide that team counties with school districts, local nonprofits and the community. “The Beaver County programs are teaching students in the Aliquippa, New Brighton and Rochester Area school districts how to recognize and avoid the dangers of opioid abuse,” Matzie said. “The programs are also helping families develop skills to protect kids from the risks of substance abuse and other factors that can lead them into trouble. “The programs have already helped many students and families in our district over the past two years. Securing this funding will allow them to continue for another year.” Matzie said that a second grant of $22,313 to The Prevention Network will fund the Project Towards No Drug Abuse, which supports at-risk youth. Both grants were recommended by the PCCD’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee and come from federal State Opioid Response funds. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Aug. 4 – More Beaver County elementary school students will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to $77,155 in grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding awarded under the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program includes $36,140 to the Aliquippa School District, $20,800 to the Ambridge Area School District, and $20,215 to the Rochester Area School District. “Fresh, nutritious food helps kids learn,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to allow school cafeterias to offer fresh produce to more grade-schoolers in our schools.” Matzie said the grants are part of a package of more than $7 million awarded to 288 elementary schools statewide under the FFVP. Funding priority was given to the schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. More information about the grants is available here , and a full list of the schools receiving funding is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Aug. 2 – A grant of $140,233 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development will allow the city of Aliquippa to clear The Bricks site in Plan 12 and prepare the site for future development. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant, awarded under the Keystone Communities Program, will fund the first steps of blight removal, demolition and preliminary site work. “The funding awarded today will allow Aliquippa to clear the overgrown, debris-ridden Bricks site located along Temple and Oliver streets in Plan 12 and prepare the site for development,” Matzie said. “In addition to blight removal, the grant will fund demolition of several structures and excavation and grading work. “Those projects will lay the groundwork for eventual construction of single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes, meeting the growing demand for workforce housing and drawing new and welcome residential and commercial activity to the area.” The Keystone Communities Program assists Pennsylvania’s core communities in achieving revitalization. More information about the grants is available here. Read more
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