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In this Update:
Pittman Receives Guardian of Small Business Award
I am truly honored and humbled to be presented with the Guardian of Small Business award for the 2021-22 legislative session. The award was presented by members of the PA Leadership Council of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) to recognize legislators for loyal support of the small business community. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and I will proudly continue to support policies to empower small businesses to create jobs, grow and thrive in our local communities. I greatly appreciate this recognition from NFIB – thank you! Armstrong, Indiana County Projects Receive $3.5 Million in Funding
I am pleased to announce that four Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants have recently been awarded to projects in Armstrong and Indiana counties. The lion’s share of the grants – a $2 million award – will go toward the expansion and improvement of the YMCA of Indiana County facility in White Township. The YMCA’s White Township facility is in need of necessary renovations and improvements. This money will help ensure the facility can meet the needs of the community for years to come. Three $500,000 grants were awarded to Armstrong County recipients, including the Orphans of the Storm, Inc. for construction of a new animal shelter in Rayburn Township. At its existing shelter, Orphans of the Storm assists approximately 1,000 animals a year within the county through rescue, adoption, spaying and neutering services. The current facility has experienced frequent flooding from a nearby pond and creek putting the facility’s animals, volunteers, equipment and records at risk. A new shelter will be built on higher ground. The grant awarded to Holcim-Mid Atlantic Region, Inc. will help with the construction of a lightweight aggregate processing operation at the company’s existing facility in South Bend Township. The work on the new processing operation will include the addition of material handling equipment, installation of a natural gas fired kiln and associated air pollution control equipment to produce the lightweight aggregate. The last of the Armstrong County award recipients is Kittanning Borough for a project to extend the beautification and streetscape improvements completed on Market Street in Kittanning. These improvements will include new concrete curbs and sidewalks, new pedestrian lighting, new parking meters, benches, trash receptacles and improved access for disabled individuals. With these grants, we are advancing several significant economic and community development projects in Armstrong and Indiana counties. RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. Route 422 Intersection Improvements Begin This Month Intersection improvements are set to begin this month at the Route 422 Intersection with Margaret Road. This PennDOT project is a significant milestone and investment in the 422 corridor and a continuation of many improvements made in the last decade. More information is available here from PennDOT. Indiana County’s Jimmy Stewart Airport Receives $1 Million for Expansion Project
A $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant has been awarded to Jimmy Stewart Airport in Indiana County. The new funding is in addition to a total of $1.75 million in RACP dollars received by the airport in recent funding rounds in 2020 and earlier this spring, $750,000 of which was used for the development of a charter service hanger while the remaining $1 million was for the construction of a new corporate hanger. The ongoing corporate hanger project is the focus of the newly-awarded grant. The hangar will house three to five aircraft depending on the final hangar size, which is now proposed to be approximately 12,000 square feet. Several years of investment at the Jimmy Stewart Airport have helped expand the airport’s services which in turn has continued to increase the airport’s role in boosting our local economy. RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. Senate Passes PA Edge Program to Bring Jobs to Pennsylvania
New jobs and more investment could be coming to Pennsylvania after the Senate voted to create and expand tax credit programs to support targeted investments in key industries. The legislation would make new resources available for job growth under the newly established Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credit program. The program will be made up of four components to attract major new investments to Pennsylvania communities. One of the new programs is the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Tax Credit program, which is designed to support projects requiring a capital investment of at least $500 million. Projects would also be required to make a good faith effort to use the local labor market and create at least 1,200 permanent and new jobs. The bill would also establish a new Pennsylvania Milk Processing Tax Credit program to support Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. The tax credit would be equal to 5 cents per gallon of milk purchased and processed from within Pennsylvania. The program would also require capital investment of at least $500 million, efforts to use local labor and the creation of at least 1,200 permanent and new jobs. The legislation would also create the Semiconductor Manufacturing, Biomedical Manufacturing and Research. The Tax Credit program tax credits would be split evenly between semiconductor manufacturing and biomedical projects. In addition, House Bill 1059 would increase the cap on the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Program, while ensuring tax credits remain available for construction of a smaller project facility in the near future. The bill was sent to the governor for enactment. Senate Votes to Provide Critical Aid to Fire & EMS Companies
In the latest effort to help Pennsylvania’s fire and emergency medical services, the Senate passed a comprehensive measure that would provide essential funding and support for these critical first responders. The assistance is especially vital for volunteer fire companies struggling to recruit members and cover rising costs. As amended by the Senate, the measure would:
The measure was sent to the governor for enactment. Tuesday is the General Election
The General Election will be held Tuesday, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who are voting for the first time in their election district will be required to show an ID. Acceptable IDs for first-time voters:
If you are unsure where to vote, you can find your polling place here. You can learn about the voting system your county uses here. How Are Invasive Species Affecting You?
The impact of invasive species on Pennsylvania citizens, local governments, businesses and others is the focus of a survey being conducted by the Governor’s Invasive Species Council. The Invasive Species Impacts Survey will be used to chronicle the effects invasive plants, insects, animals and pathogens are having on land and waterways. Invasive species include more than 140 invasive plant types, 25 plant diseases, 18 insects, 60 aquatic animals, five bird and mammal species, and more. The survey takes a few minutes to complete and is open through Nov. 13. Reminder: Turn Clocks Back Saturday Night
Daylight saving time ends Sunday at 2 a.m., so don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour Saturday night. Risk of Hitting a Deer Increases in Fall
With deer becoming more active during the fall breeding season, and the end of daylight saving time putting more vehicles on the road during dusk and dawn when deer move most, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking motorists to stay alert. According to insurance statistics, Pennsylvania drivers have a 1-in-58 chance of a vehicular accident involving a big game animal – one of the highest rates nationwide. Drivers can reduce their chances of collisions with deer by staying alert and better understanding deer behavior. Just paying attention while driving on stretches marked with “Deer Crossing” signs can make a difference. You can find out more about avoiding collisions with deer and how to report a collision here. |
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