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 – Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Abigail Salisbury announce $1,743,930 in H2O Grants and Small Water and Sewer Grants benefitting their districts.
“Today’s grant announcement is excellent news for the folks who rely on our water infrastructure to bring water into their homes as they go about their lives,” 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.”
“Wilkinsburg residents have a right to rely on proper wastewater management, which is critical to public health,” Representative Salisbury said. “The new funding will ensure that defects identified in the borough’s sewer conveyance system are fully repaired so that residents and small business owners receive the reliable, uninterrupted service they deserve.”
H2O Grant Recipients
- The Borough of Wilkinsburg was awarded $593,930 for sewer conveyance system repairs in Wilkinsburg Borough, Allegheny County.
Small Water and Sewer Grant Recipients
- The Borough of Rankin was awarded $200,000 for the ALCOSAN Regional Trunk Sewer Takeover Repairs project in Rankin Borough, Allegheny County.
- Swissvale Borough was awarded $400,000 for the replacement of a dilapidated sanitary sewer line running along Schley Avenue in Swissvale Borough, Allegheny County.
- Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority was awarded $450,000 for the replacement a waterline along Cline Street in Wilkins Township, Allegheny County.
- Forest Hills Borough was awarded $100,000 to rehabilitate the Ashley Court sanitary sewer system in Forest Hills Borough, 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.
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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