Neighborhood Assistance Program Impacting the 42nd Senatorial District

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently announced the awarding of $17.8 million in tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).  The NAP tax credit program encourages businesses to invest in projects which improve distressed areas.  I was very pleased that several projects within the 42nd Senatorial District have been selected.  In addition, I would like to remind my constituents that I have been a strong advocate for the NAP program and will once again be introducing legislation during the upcoming legislative session that increases the allocation so that even more successful projects and initiatives can be funded in the future. Below is a list of the projects that have been awarded tax credits, benefitting the 42nd Senatorial District:

• Trade Institute of Pittsburgh – Received tax credits totaling $75,000 in part to provide trade-training opportunities to individuals that have experienced employment barriers like incarceration, homelessness, addiction, or a diagnosed disability.
  
  
• NeighborWorks Western PA – $56,250 in tax credits will assist the Immigrant Homeownership Program.
  
  
• Economic Development South – Receiving $660,000 total in tax credits to rehabilitate housing units and commercial and industrial buildings, assist new business start-ups, provide job training, and youth after-school/weekend programs.
  
  
• Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group - $112,550 in tax credits to assist in employing more aggressive blight elimination and property stabilization activities.
  
  
• The Brashear Association – Received $228,000 in tax credits used for programs to prevent foreclosures, create jobs, provide job training and youth weekend/after-school programs.
  
  
• Lawrenceville Corporation – Awarded $180,000 in tax credits that in part allow for continuation of youth programming, after-school programs, bicycle and parking infrastructure strategies, access to fresh food, and training and workforce development programs.
  
  
• McKees Rocks CDC - $400,000 in tax credits to assist with rehabilitating infrastructure within the business district, working to expand workforce efforts, expanding connectivity with existing youth assets in the community, and launching a new nutrition partnership.
  
  
• Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation – Receiving $200,000 in tax credits to help continue efforts to bring stability, renewal and growth to Garfield, Friendship and the Penn Avenue corridor that runs between them.
  
  
• Hilltop Alliance - $200,000 in tax credits used to assist in renovations of properties experiencing code violations, renovating key commercial properties, distributing fresh produce, providing for after-school and summertime activities for neighborhood youth, and connecting individuals to employment opportunities.
  
  
• Mt. Washington CDC - $80,000 in tax credits being used to provide for affordable homeownership, leverage new private investment into challenged areas in the neighborhood, and hire crews to implement projects in Emerald View Park where at-risk adults will receive green jobs skills training and basic work-ready skills.
  
  
• Northside Leadership Development – Receiving $360,000 in tax credits to reduce blight, increase local job growth, preserve and re-use historic structures, increase home ownership and renovate community entities.
  
  
• Hill District CDC - $160,000 in tax credits for the redevelopment of the business district and housing development along with addressing blight.
  
  
• Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank - $673,750 in tax credits that will help the Food Bank increase food and product donations to keep up with increasing demand.

Applications for RACP

The Pennsylvania Office of the Budget is opening a new application window for projects under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).  The 30-day window begins tomorrow and ends on February 3.  There have also been some changes to the application process, including that no initial business plan will be required, rather, applicants will use the DCED Single Application for Assistance process, and an application fee of $500 will be required.

The RACP program is a Commonwealth grant program 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.  RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.

For more information on the RACP program please click here or visit www.budget.pa.gov and click on the “Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program” tab on the home page.  For specific questions on the application process please click here.

Medical Marijuana Update

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently announced that applications for medical marijuana growers/processors and dispensaries will be available beginning Jan. 17, 2017.  Permit applications will be accepted from Feb. 20, 2017 – March 20, 2017. 

According to Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Karen Murphy, in Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program’s first phase, there will be up to 12 permits issued for growers/processors across six medical marijuana regions, and up to 27 permits issued for dispensaries.  The decision for which counties will be issued permits in this first phase was determined by using the department’s medical data as well as comments from more than 5,000 panelists and nearly 900 potential growers/processors and dispensary applicants.

Applications will be available on the department’s website at www.health.pa.gov.  Also, additional information on Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program is available on the site, by clicking on the “PA Medical Marijuana” hyperlink on the home page or by clicking here.  This page is a one-stop shop for the new law and has special sections specifically for patients and caregivers, physicians, growers/processors, dispensaries, and laboratories.  Specific questions about the Medical Marijuana Program can also be emailed to RA-DHMedMarijuana@pa.gov.

Elimination of Registration Stickers

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is no longer issuing vehicle registration stickers as of Dec. 31.  Act 89 of 2013 provided for the elimination of vehicle registration stickers after a Penn State research study concluded that eliminating the registration sticker would have no impact on vehicle registration compliance.

Customers are still required to maintain current vehicle registration and must present a registration card to law enforcement when asked.  A valid registration card is also still required when having a safety and/or emissions inspection completed.

You can read more about the elimination of registration stickers by clicking here.

LIHEAP

I want to remind everyone that the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is accepting applications for this season’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  The program helps low income families pay their heating bills.  You can apply and check the status of your application on the state’s COMPASS website.  You can also pick up an application in my district offices or download one yourself from the DHS LIHEAP website.  Completed paper applications should be returned to the Allegheny County Assistance Office, 5947 Penn Avenue, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206.

Funding for LIHEAP is provided by the federal government and eligibility is based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.  The income limits for this season are as follows:

After your application is received you will receive a written notice explaining your eligibility and the amount of assistance you will receive.  Payments are generally sent directly to a utility company or fuel provider and will be credited to your heating account.  Crisis grants may also be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.  For more information, please contact the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095.

New Port Authority Fare Policy

I want to remind everyone that beginning this past Sunday, the Port Authority started a new fare policy, eliminating its two-zone fare system and installing a single-zone system in which riders will pay $2.50 with a ConnectCard.  The Port Authority has made these changes after hearing from nearly 8,000 riders over the past 18 months who are seeking a transit system that is more accessible and affordable.

Riders paying with cash will pay $2.75.  Transfers for riders paying with a ConnectCard will remain $1.  There are no transfers for riders paying with cash; riders paying with cash need to pay an additional $2.75 for their connecting trip.

The Port Authority has eliminated the downtown free bus zone.  All riders on routes will pay their fare as they board the bus.  With the exception of those who require special accommodations, riders will exit from the back doors.

To read more about these changes please visit http://simple.portauthority.org/.

Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Allegheny County is once again offering its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program this holiday season.  Residents of Allegheny County can drop off their Christmas trees through Monday, Jan. 16 at all nine regional parks during regular hours of operation, dawn to dusk.

All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees prior to dropping them off.  The trees will be mulched and used in county parks.  The following are the drop-off locations:

Fontana Fact

The Pittsburgh Steelers will play a home playoff game at Heinz Field on Wild Card Weekend Sunday against the Miami Dolphins after finishing the regular season with a record of 11-5.  Since 1970, the Steelers have the best home record in the NFL with a mark of 262-101-1.  Good luck this weekend and Here We Go!

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