PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $2 Million in RACP funding benefitting Penn Hills for two projects in the area.
“I am so proud to live in a community with organizations doing incredible work to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, and I’m honored to do my part to deliver the resources to keep them going,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing these critical projects come to fruition and continue to beautify Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.”
“Going around the Penn Hills community in my first term, I heard time and time again the need for investment into our youth, and general concern that there were not enough after school resources for them to participate in,” said Representative McAndrew. “To step up and support delivering $1 million in funding to our region for a minority business owner to build a new facility for our youth athletics and to drive $1 million to a community center predominantly supporting our black youth in after school programing are huge wins to our region and for our youth. This truly sets the tone as I wrap up my first term in office. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Costa in the community for our youth, with these and other organizations in our region.”
With State Representative Joe McAndrew, Senator Costa announces that Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens of Penn Hills Township was awarded $1,000,000 for the De’Avry A. Thomas Community Center. The project involves the first phase of renovations at the former Lincoln Park Community Center which is being re-envisioned as the De’Avry A. Thomas Community Center.
“Being awarded the RACP funding from the Commonwealth feels like a huge win, not just for us at Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens Community Center, but for every young person who walks through our doors,” said Kahlil G Darden, founder and CEO of Young Motivated Black Kings and Queens. “This award means we can create spaces that truly reflect the potential we see in our youth—places where they can feel safe, supported, and inspired to pursue their dreams. Renovating our center is about more than new walls and fresh paint; it’s about building a foundation for hope and opportunity. We’re incredibly thankful to Representative McAndrew and Senator Costa for their ongoing support, which shows our community that when we come together, we can make real, lasting change.”
Further with State Representative Joe McAndrew, Senator Costa announces that AWK Inc. of Penn Hills Township was awarded $1,000,000 for the development of Elite Athlete Training Complex. The project consists of the preliminary site development and new construction of an elite sports training facility. The project will include an indoor football field, two basketball courts, six pickleball courts, weight/speed training room, a learning center with three auditorium style classrooms, cafeteria/kitchen, and 72 bed dormitory.
Per the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, “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.”
Learn more about Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities every Pennsylvanian here.