Senator Fontana participated in a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday for the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute Academic Center at Allegheny General Hospital on the Northside. The 90,000 square-foot AHN Cancer Institute Academic Center at AGH is expected to open in late 2019. It will be the academic specialty base of an integrated, innovative, and collaborative network that takes high-quality, comprehensive cancer care into communities throughout the western Pennsylvania region.

Community Revitalization Program

The PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) is requesting proposals for the awarding of Community Revitalization Program funds. The funding is to be used for the construction or rehabilitation of mixed-used developments to stimulate neighborhood revitalization in Pennsylvania. The period for proposal submission ends at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 8. 

This new program was created as part of the commonwealth’s fiscal year 2016 budget that allocated tax credits for PHFA to sell to generate the needed capital. PHFA was directed by the General Assembly to administer both the tax credit and program components of this initiative.

The Community Revitalization Program seeks to expand or rehabilitate affordable housing stock and promote community revitalization, especially in those parts of the state that are struggling economically. The term “mixed-use” for these projects refers to buildings that combine both commercial/retail and residential space.

Organizations submitting proposals will improve their chances of receiving funding if their plans show evidence of incorporating these positive features:

• Leveraging program funds to expand their total pool of project development financing
• Fostering long-term relationships with partners committed to revitalization
• Having processes ready for ensuring effective and efficient use of program funding, and
• Advancing “capstone” projects that will anchor revitalization efforts in the communities served based on a comprehensive neighborhood strategy

The application of these resources is flexible, and they could be used in a number of ways to address the program’s objectives. For instance, they could fund the rehabilitation of older or under-used buildings that can then help promote community development. Those buildings could be restored for commercial use and to provide affordable housing. Interested organizations can learn more by visiting https://www.PHFA.org/mhp/developers/loans.aspx. The RFP and program guidelines are available there for review. Also, an informational webinar about this funding will be provided on March 22; more details and a registration link will be available on this webpage. Questions can be directed to Bryce Maretzki at PHFA at (717) 780-1867 or by email at bmaretzki@phfa.org.   

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is now accepting applications for the 2017 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.  If you filed a paper rebate last year, you should have received an application in the mail.  Applications are also available at my district offices, online at www.revenue.pa.gov or by calling 1-888-222-9190.  As always, my staff would be happy to assist you in preparing your application.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.  The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters.  Please keep in mind, half of Social Security income is excluded.

Applications are due to the Department of Revenue by June 30 and rebates will be distributed beginning July 1. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program Ends in Less Than Six Months

Eligible veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991, have less than six months to collect a special one-time payment to honor their service and sacrifice. Applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Bonus are due by Aug. 31, 2018.

The bonus program, administered by the PA Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA), pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a $525 maximum. For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional $5,000 available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.

To be eligible for the bonus, a service member must have:

• Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard
• Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990 to Aug. 31, 1991
• Received the Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active duty service
• Been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty

For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit www.persiangulfbonus.pa.gov.

Business One-Stop Shop

Last week the Wolf Administration launched PA Business One-Stop Shop, an initiative with a new website that will make navigating business-related processes in state government simple and accessible.  The site, www.business.pa.gov was designed specifically for both current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The PA Business One-Stop Shop is the go-to resource for planning, registering, operating, and growing a business while working smart and living happy in Pennsylvania.

10th Annual Diabetes Day

Ohio Valley Hospital is hosting its 10th annual Diabetes Day next Tuesday, Mar. 20.  The event runs from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the first floor of the hospital’s School of Nursing Building, located at 25 Heckel Road in Kennedy Township.

This free community event will feature the “ABC’s of Free Testing,” a diabetes prevention and lifestyle management panel, cooking demonstrations, expert lectures, free samples, raffles, vendor booths and much more. For more information or to register for the event please click here or visit https://ohiovalleyhospital.org/.

Toast of the Rox

The Greater McKees Rocks Area Rotary Club is presenting Toast of the Rox, a Community French Toast Breakfast this Sunday, March 18 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.  The event is being held at the Kennedy Township Fire Hall, located at 1796 Pine Hollow Road. A ticket includes one all-you-can-eat breakfast and features a cash Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar. 

Toast of the Rox is sponsored by Olivia’s Banquet Hall, Silver Star Meats, 5 Generation Bakers, Mancini’s Bakery, Rotary International and Hanlon’s Café & Catering. 

All proceeds benefit the Greater McKees Rocks Area Rotary community charity organizations.  Tickets are available for purchase at Nationwide Insurance, located in Kenmawr Plaza in Kennedy Township.

Fontana Fact

This Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day. Almost 12 percent of Americans claim Irish ancestry and over 80 million people worldwide claim an ancestral connection to Ireland.

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