PITTSBURGH, PA – January 16, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $1,468,000 in Gaming Economic Development Tourism money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
“I am delighted to be supporting the organizations that support our community, especially those taking new approaches to housing, safe roads, and green transit,” said Senator Costa. “Supporting these crucial community organizations to improve their infrastructure is just one way we can continue to deliver safe, welcoming spaces for every Pennsylvanian.”
The recipients of these grant dollars in the 43rd district are as follows, sorted by the house district they fall into:
Frick Art and Historical Center, Inc was awarded $100,000 for the Clayton Restoration Project. The project focuses on the exterior rehabilitation of Clayton. The building will then be painted with Keim Mineral Silicate Paint, specially formulated to prevent water damage.
CC Mellor Memorial Library and Edgewood Community House was awarded $50,000 for C.C. Mellor Memorial Library Roof Replacement. CCM experiences frequent leaks from the building’s original clay tile roof. This roofing is past its useful life and will be replaced.
Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments was awarded $30,000 for Dark Hollow Woods Trail Stormwater Improvements. The project includes earthwork and grading; construction of approximately 300 linear feet of earthen berm and swales; 450 linear feet of 12″ CPP storm sewers; 5 new precast inlet structures; connections of existing roof drain collectors to new stormwater conveyance system; rip rap outfall protection; erosion and sedimentation controls and restoration of disturbed areas.
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation was awarded $125,000 for Negley Rotunda Restoration Project. GEDF funds will restore the exterior parapet to this former synagogue structure. This will eliminate current water leakage into the building.
Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery (POWER) was awarded $30,000 for their POWER Campus. Phase 3 includes the inpatient program which will include 21 patient rooms located on the 3rd floor of the building. The patient room buildout takes up approximately 6000 sf of that floor. Each room will have its own private bathroom and shower.
Pennsylvania Affordable Housing Corporation was awarded $75,000 for Bathesda Housing Redevelopment. This project seeks to restore 37 units of affordable housing in the Homewood neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh ensuring that the units have suitable amenities and fixtures that should be available to all. Units will be made available to those living at or below 60% of Area Median Income, and will ensure that those in need of affordable housing have access to it.
The Citizen Science Lab Project Dream was awarded $63,000 for the MLK Center for Scientific Excellence. GEDTF funding will be utilized to prepare and develop the site.
Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments was awarded $175,000 for 2023 Verona Borough Road Reconstruction. Roads include Third Street, Athletic Street, Vogels Lane, and the unnamed alley.
Center for Civic Arts was awarded $50,000 for the Wilkinsburg Cooperative Civic Center. The project will replace a 6,000 sq ft flat roof over the 24 classroom Education Wing.
Jubilee Association was awarded $50,000 for Jubilee Facility Second Floor Renovation. Phase II work includes: renovating the existing facility’s 2nd floor to include: 945 sqft food pantry, 1,400 sqft clothing room, public laundry, bathrooms, private counseling rooms, & offices. New wiring, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, & insulation will be installed.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was awarded $50,000 for Schenley Park Visitors Center and Cafe Renovation. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is requesting funding to renovate the Schenley Park Café and Visitors Center in the heart of Pittsburgh’s third-largest park.
Center of Life was awarded $35,000 for Center of Life Community Hub. For Center of Life’s project on Hazelwood Green, a schematic development plan will be provided that includes a site plan, renderings, architectural drawings, contractor cost estimates, refined sources and Uses of Funds statement, an ongoing operating budget for the facility, and project schedule.
Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc. was awarded $75,000 for Mobility Justice in Micromobility. The organization will purchase and install three bikeshare stations including three kiosks, 57 docking points, and 30 e-bikes in Wilkinsburg Borough.
Amani Community Development was awarded $150,000 for Brownsville Road – Demo & Site Prep. The proposed project will cover $500,000 of existing building demolition, utility connection, regrading, retaining wall, stormwater retention, erosion and sediment controls as an essential pre-development effort for the full redevelopment of the blighted housing at 2531 Brownsville Road into new affordable apartments for the elderly.
Rodef Shalom Congregation was awarded $100,000 for Roof Replacement. Roof replacements include installing 2,590 sq. ft. of EPDM roofing material, insulation, vapor barriers and flashing to three roofs averaging more than thirty years old.
Latino Community Center was awarded $100,000 for Comunidad: New Community Spaces for Latino Community Center in Allegheny County. LCC will renovate the first floor of the building they occupy (while continuing to operate on the second floor, essentially doubling the space.) The project will involve construction administration, permitting, demolition, mechanical, plumbing, ADA compliance, & fire security renovations (i.e. all necessary infrastructure) to prepare the 1st floor for interior improvements to accommodate a significant number of new programs.
Community Specialists Corporation was awarded $75,000 for New Outlook Academy Window Project. Community Specialists Corporation is applying for the purchase and replacement of 328 windows throughout New Outlook Academy.
Gwen’s Girls was awarded $35,000 for Rochez Building Renovation Project. GEDTF funds will be used to support the total costs of necessary interior renovations and repairs (Phase 1) to the Rochez Building.
Congregation Beth Shalom was awarded $50,000 for Synagogue Energy Efficiency Project. Their HVAC units and boiler are at the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced with high-efficiency units that will consume far less energy. Reductions in utility bills from replacing the current HVAC units and boiler will result in lower operating expenses, and the savings will be used to retain and hire staff primarily in our preschool, where staffing and therefore enrollment in certain classrooms remains a challenge due to COVID-era employment issues.
Civically, Inc. was awarded $50,000 for Hunter Building Redevelopment Project – 1007 Wood Street. Construction costs including selective demo, HVAC, new flooring additional AE design costs necessary to move the project forward. Environmental assessment and remediation in order to comply with EPA/DEP requirements for safe revitalization of the Hunter Bldg.
Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grants allow municipalities, authorities, councils of government (COGs), and both non- and for-profit businesses to carry out significant economic development for current and future use. Administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC), these grants provide financial assistance to entities to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – January 16, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $565,403 in Act 13 grant funding benefitting the 43rd senatorial district.
“It’s a great honor to be delivering crucial state funding to the green spaces that allow the people of Pittsburgh to appreciate our natural environment,” said Senator Costa. “Our parks and playgrounds support our children, families, and communities, and I am delighted to be supporting them in their efforts to bring people and nature together. I look forward to seeing these dollars get put to work in our neighborhood parks and trails.”
The recipients of these grant dollars in the 43rd district are as follows.
- Borough of Braddock Hills was awarded $97,834 for Braddock Hills Borough Community Playground Facility
- Borough of Forest Hills was awarded $210,000 for Forest Hills Parks Rehabilitation
- Verona Borough was awarded $30,301 for Verona Borough Park and Greenspace Planning
- Wilkins Township was awarded $104,465 for Eastmont Park Rehabilitation Phase 3
- Wilkinsburg Borough was awarded $122,803 for Rosa Parks Park Improvements Project
Per the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website, “Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program.”
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PITTSBURGH, PA – December 20, 2023 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $1,048,567 in CFA Arts and Culture Grants benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
“As a co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Arts and Culture caucus, I am extremely delighted to be delivering the funding that allows folks to keep creating the artwork and performances that define our culture,” said Senator Costa. “With these dollars, our artists and aspiring artists will have the support they need to grow their practices and contribute to the continued development of a vibrant creative ecosystem in Allegheny County and beyond. I look forward to personally patronizing these places as they invite the public to enjoy their work.”
By category, the recipients of these grant dollars in the 43rd district are as follows.
Arts Organizations:
- Autumn House Press was awarded $10,948 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Community Theater Project Corporation dba Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) was awarded $36,466 from the COVID 19- ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for new programs and marketing for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Guardians of Sound Inc. was awarded $10,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset operating costs for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Pittsburgh Glass Center, Inc. was awarded $56,414 from the COVID 19- ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating costs for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- The Legacy Arts Project Inc. was awarded $27,186 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Bodiography Contemporary Ballet was awarded $10,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to fund operating costs for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures was awarded $27,875 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Inc. dba Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media was awarded $33,967 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset lost revenue and for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Fine Art Miracles, Inc. was awarded $10,868 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset lost revenue for Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Brew House Association was awarded $10,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Calliope House Inc. was awarded $14,269 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset lost revenue for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Chatham Baroque, Inc. was awarded $21,280 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for marketing and programming expenses for the Arts Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- Open Up Pittsburgh was awarded $10,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating and marketing expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Film Pittsburgh was awarded $25,424 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for establishing new programs and marketing for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Squonk Opera, Inc. was awarded $22,977 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program funds for operating expenses for the Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- Protohaven was awarded $18,881 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Art Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- Dreams of Hope was awarded $15,405 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating, marketing and programming expenses for the Arts Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- Radiant Hall Studios was awarded $19,452 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for marketing expenses for the Art Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
Performing Arts Organizations
- Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company was awarded $14,600 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to cover operating costs for the Performing Arts Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- Center of Life was awarded $62,805 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset lost revenue for the Performing Arts Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- Pittsburgh Public Theater Corporation was awarded $78,997 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset lost revenue for the Performing Arts Organization located in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.
- The City Theatre Company, Inc. was awarded $70,811 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to offset operating expenses for the Performing Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
- River City Brass Band dba River City Brass was awarded $32,650 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for new marketing and program costs for the Performing Arts Organization located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
Art Museum
- The Carnegie Museum of Art was awarded $95,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program to fund operating costs for the Art Museum located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
Natural History Museum
- Carnegie Institute (Carnegie Museum of Natural History) was awarded $95,000 from the COVID-19 Arts and Culture Recovery Program to assist in funding operation costs for the Natural History Museum located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
General Museum with at least two equally significant disciplines
- Frick Art & Historical Center, Inc. dba The Frick Pittsburgh was awarded $95,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating costs and establishing new programs and marketing for the General Museum located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
Culture Organization
- Pittsburgh Irish Festival, Inc. was awarded $27,292 from the COVID-19 ARPA Arts and Culture Recovery Program for operating expenses for the Culture Organization located in Swissvale Borough, Allegheny County.
Public Gardens
- Pittsburgh Park Conservancy was awarded $95,000 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Program to fund operating costs for the Public Garden located in Pittsburgh City, Allegheny County.
The COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program (PACR) was created to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts and arts and culture professionals located in the Commonwealth to ensure the stability and recovery of the Commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about this program on the Department of Community and Economic Development website.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Arts and Culture Caucus on their website.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – December 19, 2023 –Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Joe McAndrew announce $4,657,528 in H2O Grants and Small Water and Sewer Grants benefitting their districts.
“I am extremely proud to be delivering this grant funding to crucial infrastructure projects that deliver clean drinking water to the people who call our district home,” said Senator Costa.“These dollars will help ensure that our water systems keep us safe, healthy and clean. I look forward to continuing to fund projects that improve the lives of our working families.”
“Across the board, our water/sewage rates are going up. I hope the money brought back through these efforts will stabilize these rates now and in the future,” said Representative McAndrew.“These projects are really forward thinking, for example the Municipality of Penn Hills will be using their funds for a new data management system called SCADA that will allow for systems optimization, safety enhancements, reduce travel and wait time for operations and controls, and better monitoring/prevention of overflow events.”
H2O Grant Recipients:
- Oakmont Water Authority was awarded $1,303,316 to assist in the upgrade of the chlorine disinfection system located in Oakmont Borough, Allegheny County.
- The Municipality of Penn Hills was awarded $1,100,000 to replace the SCADA system in 8 locations throughout the sanitary sewer system located in the Penn Hills Municipality, Allegheny County.
- The Borough of Oakmont was awarded $1,500,000 for improvements to the Oakmont Treatment Plant located in the Borough of Oakmont, Allegheny County.
Small Water and Sewer Grant Recipients:
- Verona Borough was awarded $216,504 to install sanitary sewer line along Center Avenue, Springs Street, Parker Street, Second Street, and Third street located in Verona Borough, Allegheny County.
- Oakmont Borough was awarded $423,702 for sanitary sewer Improvements throughout Oakmont Borough, Allegheny County.
- The Municipality of Penn Hills was awarded $113,006 for upgrades to the Lincoln Road Water Pollution Control Plant (LRWPCP) located in Penn Hills Township, Allegheny County.
Funding for these one-time grants comes from COVID-19 ARPA dollars.
Read about the Senate Democratic Caucus’s commitment to clean water for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $1,150,637 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) awarded to Allegheny County. These funds were drawn from various grant programs that seek to prevent violence against minority groups, women, and children, as well as support law enforcement.
Of especial importance to Senator Costa is the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which he and Representative Dan Frankel fought to establish in the wake of the mass shooting at Tree of Life, during which a white supremacist murdered eleven Jewish worshippers. Signed into law in 2019, Act 83 directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. This enormously successful program has delivered millions of dollars in security upgrades to nonprofits throughout Pennsylvania.
“I have been extremely proud to deliver funding so that the people who call the 43rd home have safe communities, gathering spaces, and houses of worship,” said Senator Costa. “I’d like to thank the PCCD for their diligent work funding proven community safety measures and protecting the good people doing the hard work of building safe neighborhoods. Along with my colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus, we will continue to work for safe communities for every Pennsylvanian.”
Recipients of the Nonprofit Security Grant in the 43rd District include:
- Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh: $25,000
- Bnai Emunoh Chabad Inc: $75,000
- Center of Life: $46, 327
- Community Day School: $25,000
- Congregation Kether Torah: $25,000
- Congregation Poale Zedeck: $150,000
- Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh: $111,500
- Lubavitch Center: $25,000
- Rodef Shalom Congregation: $25,810
- St. Michael’s Orthodox Church: $23,000
- Tree of Life, Inc: $150,000
- Yeshivath Achei Tmimim of Pittsburgh: $75,000
Recipients of the State Children’s Advocacy Center Funds include:
- A Child’s Place: $47,000
- UPMC – Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh: $47,000
Recipients of the State Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs Funds Include:
- Amachi Pittsburgh: $25,000
- Youth Enrichment Services, Inc.: $50,000
SisTers PGH Corp received $75,000 in Federal STOP Violence Against Women Act Funds for their Project T Housing Support.
Rankin Borough Received $150,000 for the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police from the Federal Justice Assistance Grant Funds.
More information about these programs is available on the PCCD’s website.
Read about the Senate Democratic Caucus’s commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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Pittsburgh, PA – November 15, 2023 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed HB 1461, a bill to fund state-related universities, by a vote of 45-5. This was well above the constitutionally required two-thirds vote necessary to fund Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple, and Lincoln.
In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, releases the following statement:
“I am delighted that this legislature will finally be driving out much-needed funding to our state-related universities, including the institution of higher learning in my backyard, the University of Pittsburgh,” said Senator Costa. “These dollars directly support reduced tuition for our in-state students, saving each student about $14,000 annually. While I wish that we were able to provide an increase as proposed by the governor, I recognize that we are nearly five months past our budget deadline. It’s imperative that we move this process to the governor’s desk. As we continue to work together to finish the budget process, I am confident we can continue to deliver funding to improve the lives of every Pennsylvanian.”
HB 1461 now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
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