Five community organizations serving the 32nd Senatorial District have been awarded more than $950,000 in state funding through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program to undertake projects serving local residents and communities in need, according to Senator Pat Stefano (R-32).
Stefano said the program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, and provides tax credits to enable businesses and community organizations to invest in projects that serve distressed areas or support conservation efforts.
“These grants leverage private dollars and go a long way toward funding worthy projects that help our communities and residents in need,” Stefano said. “I’m pleased that our area will benefit from these investments, through jobs, workforce training, economic development and public safety. With these investments we recommit ourself to strengthening the social safety net for those in need, continuing the fight against blight in our communities and providing training that our employers need for their workers.”
The following organizations received funding under the program:
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank –Serving Fayette and Somerset County- $515,000 to increase the total amount of food and other products donated and purchased to accommodate the growing demand for services and increase the number of eligible people served in southwestern PA.
Westmoreland County Food Bank, Inc. -Westmoreland County — $122,375 to replace its aging freezer with a new, larger, more efficient unit. This new unit will provide immediate and long-term savings to WCFB’s operating budget and will expand WCFB’s refrigerated storage capacity to meet its growing needs.
Fayette County Community Action Agency, Inc. – Fayette County — $120,000 to revitalize neighborhoods of Uniontown, PA (Census Tracts 2623 and 2619). This effort will respond directly to the five goals established in the Unified Building Sustainable Communities Plan.
Fayette County Cultural Trust – Fayette County — $160,000 to rehabilitate blighted projects in the community, promoting economic development and increasing public safety.
Johnstown Area Regional Industries – Serving Somerset County — $36,850 to provide comprehensive job training to disadvantaged residents, include work readiness, professional development and financial literacy. The program will enable participants to acquire the skills needed to obtain employment in jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.