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In this Update:
Veterans Honored in Clymer
It was an honor to pay tribute to several local veterans at Two Lick Valley Social Center in Clymer. Through their selfless and tireless efforts, they have safeguarded our freedoms, protected our communities and inspired future generations to uphold the ideals of service and patriotism. State Rep. Jim Struzzi presented certificates to the veterans and Sheriff Robert Fyock also shared remarks. The ceremony concluded with a viewing of the veterans’ military memorabilia, uniforms and pictures on display. The veterans included: John Shick (Navy & Army), Al Buratti (Army), Michael Gensburger (Navy), Robert Sexton (Navy), Roger Lydick (Army), Joseph Dolan (Air Force), Ernest Patterson (Navy), David Beckey (Army), Dennis Clawson (Navy), Leonard Sherry (Air Force), Shirley Tuorinsky (Army), Fred Hill (Army), Donald Myers (Army), Leonard Lute (Army), Joe Shultz (Air Force), Marty Sarnovsky (Army), Ted Steward (Army), Matthew Speedy (Army). My thanks to Aging Services Executive Director Janine Maust and the center’s manager Betsy Miller for hosting this special event for their veteran members – well done and well deserved! Pittman Announces $6 Million Approved for Westmoreland County Industrial Park Redevelopment Project
A total of $6 million in state funding through Pennsylvania’s Business in Our Sites (BOS) program was approved this week by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the continued redevelopment of the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park (NKAMP) in Westmoreland County. I’m very pleased to have advocated for this funding which will ensure the continued improvement of the industrial park. Not only will this support help to accommodate the existing businesses, but will also play a key role in attracting new businesses to benefit not only Arnold and New Kensington, but our entire region and all of Pennsylvania. Approved to receive a $2.4 million BOS grant and a $3.6 million BOS loan, NKAMP LLC is a partnership between the Regional Industrial Development Corporation – RIDC of Southwestern PA and Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation, created to redevelop the nearly 70-acre NKAMP site along the Allegheny River in Arnold and New Kensington. The funds will be used for permitting, engineering, demolition, electrical improvements, and water and stormwater management costs. The NKAMP brownfield property was the initial manufacturing site for Alcoa aluminum company, comprised of 20 industrial buildings and more than 1 million square feet of leasable space. In 2023, Re:Build Manufacturing signed a 10-year lease to anchor the site with a focus on state-of-the-art fabrication, manufacturing, and integration and assembly projects in high-growth, innovation-driven industries including energy, life sciences, robotics, electric mobility, satellite communications and aerospace. NKAMP LLC plans to subdivide an additional 20-acre parcel on the lower end of the site which consists of buildings totaling 170,000 square feet that are in deteriorating condition and need to be demolished. The project will include removing existing material inside and outside the buildings, and the buildings’ foundations and slabs. New utilities will be brought to the general area including water, electricity and stormwater management. The site will be marketed to advanced manufacturing businesses, and the project is expected to create 200 new jobs. The BOS program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, provides grants and loans to municipalities, municipal and redevelopment authorities, industrial development agencies and private developers for acquisition and development of sites for future use by businesses, private developers and others. Pennsylvania is ready to compete and bring new opportunities for growth and prosperity to our communities. This substantial investment is a tremendous step forward as we work to ensure the promise of Pennsylvania continues to be realized by people in every corner of our state. New Law to Increase School Security
To protect students, the Senate voted in favor of legislation that would require every school district in Pennsylvania to have an armed officer. Senate Bill 907 was amended into Senate Bill 700, an omnibus School Code bill that was passed as part of the budget and is now law. Each school district is required to have at least one school security personnel, who has completed training to be armed, and may be either a school police officer, school resource officer or school security guard. School safety personnel would undergo background investigations, be required to maintain certification and be annually certified in position-specific training. The legislation furthers the Senate Republican priority of fostering healthy and safe communities. PASSHE Freezes Tuition for In-State Undergraduates
For the seventh year, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the 2024-25 academic year. The tuition rate will stay the same at all 10 state-owned public universities. PASSHE schools serve the most in-state students of any four-year college or university in Pennsylvania, at the lowest price. Nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, many from middle-income families. To make higher education more affordable, Senate Republicans passed Grow PA – a package of bills that creates new programs to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools in industries that will grow the state’s economy while also expanding existing financial assistance programs that are already working. Read more about the scholarship and tuition waiver programs. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program frequently asked questions (FAQ), before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 19. Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in a hot vehicle. This tragedy can happen to anyone, but is preventable. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. When a child is left in a vehicle, the situation quickly can become dangerous. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, and a child can die when his or her body temperature hits 107 degrees. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time – even with the windows down or when parked in the shade, as it does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Stop to check the back seat and lock the door before leaving a hot car. Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach kids that a vehicle is not a play area. Read more tips. Fighting Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Tuesday, July 30, and this year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Children represent a significant portion of trafficking victims worldwide, and they are twice as likely as adults are to face violence during trafficking. Traffickers use social media to recruit and exploit children. Senate Republicans worked to support these young victims, unanimously passing a law that ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support.
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