PITTSBURGH, PA – May 22, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces three recipients of Keystone Communities Program grants in the 43rd district through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) totaling $823,004. In total, DCED awarded nearly $7 million across 49 projects in Pennsylvania.
“I am so proud that Pennsylvania continues to invest in the organizations that empower our communities to grow and thrive,” said Senator Costa. “Safe homes and streets are foundational to thriving Main Streets, and I look forward to fighting for further investments in these programs as we begin to negotiate the 2024-25 fiscal year budget.”
The recipients of these grant dollars in the 43rd district are as follows.
- Gwen’s Girls was awarded $298,004 to renovate the Rochez Building located in Wilkinsburg Borough
- Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. was awarded $25,000 for their Gladstone School Annex Community Planning Project
- Amani Christian Community Development Corporation was awarded $500,000 for their African Queens Apartments
Per the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website, “The Keystone Communities Program (KCP) program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sectors that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor the assistance to meet the needs of its specific revitalization effort.”
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to good jobs and safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 13, 2024 – Today, State Senator Jay Costa mourns the passing of longtime family friend and Allegheny County leader Cyril Wecht, who died earlier today per the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Senator Costa releases the following statement:
“I knew Dr. Wecht for a long time. He was a brilliant lawyer, and intelligent and charismatic leader, and a devout family man. Throughout his career, he was always willing to push boundaries and fight for the truth. Although he had a national profile, I always knew him to be a son of Squirrel Hill with deep ties to his community. I am holding his wife, children, and grandchildren in my heart today. His family, and our entire county, lost a tremendous champion.”
Cyril Wecht died at age 93 today. Throughout his life, he spent time as a musician, a captain in the United States Air Force Medical Corps, a coroner, an educator, a leader in the Democratic Party, a county commissioner, and a national figure critical of the Warren Commission.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 8, 2024 − Today, Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Risk Siger awarded seven projects across Pennsylvania a total of $10.6 Million in PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) funding in order to develop shovel-ready locations to attract businesses and family-sustaining jobs. Of the seven projects chosen from over one hundred applicants, a project in the 43rd district was selected to receive funding.
PA SITES pilot program funding is being awarded to the following recipient in the 43rd senatorial district:
- Allegheny County – $2,326,733 to the RIDC Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund for continued development of the Carrie Furnace site in Rankin Borough. PA SITES funds will be used for earthwork, utilities, and asphalt paving.
“Pennsylvania is well on its way to becoming a national leader in business and economic development thanks in no small part to the thoughtful and aggressive investments from the Shapiro administration in attracting businesses to our commonwealth,” said Senator Costa. “Allegheny County has a long, proud history of delivering good family-sustaining jobs to our workers, and the Carrie Furnace project is no exception. I will be fighting hard to expand the PA SITES program in this year’s budget to continue the great work of this incredible pilot program.”
Senator Costa has been a longtime supporter of Carrie Furnace. In 2022, Carrie Furnace received $1,000,000 in RACP funding for construction, a $3 million dollar grant, and a $4.5 million dollar loan from the Commonwealth Financing Agency’s (CFA) Business in Our Site (BiOS) program. In 2021, Carrie Furnace received $100,000 in Keystone Historic Preservation Money. The Marcellus Legacy Fund awarded Carrie Furnace $115,000 for improvements to the Carrie Furnace Access Trail and Trailhead in 2019, and in 2016, $313,305 in CFA grant dollars was awarded to evaluate the structure and its existing paint system to assess contaminate levels and develop necessary remediation and rehabilitation plans.
In January, Senator Costa joined Governor Shapiro at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh to champion the Economic Development Plan that includes the PA SITES program.
Find details about the PA SITES pilot program here.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is fighting for good jobs for every Pennsylvanian. Read more about this commitment here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA − May 2, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa is proud to announce $300,000 in Parent Pathways Grant funding to benefit the 43rd district.
“Parents seeking undergraduate degrees are balancing a tremendous load, from accomplishing schoolwork to raising children, and I am very proud that we are able to deliver funding to make this journey easier for our parents in college,” said Senator Costa. “I certainly hope that this funding goes a long way in preparing parents to succeed, graduate, and provide well for their families.”
The following organizations in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- Carlow University, $150,000
- Community College of Allegheny County, $150,000
According to the Department of Education,
Parenting students bear significant burdens and need additional support to navigate through their academic program successfully. In December 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a policy report (PDF) following consultations with parenting students, postsecondary institution staff, subject matter experts, various state agencies, and community leaders. The Parent Pathways Learning Network (PPLN) concentrated on addressing the necessary support for food, childcare, housing, and financial aid. The results underscored the importance of integrating the firsthand experiences of parenting students into statewide policymaking. Governor Shapiro, in support of these findings, allocated $1.61 million in his 2023-2024 budget to support these students.
A comprehensive list of awardees is accessible on the Department of Education’s website, along with additional information on the grant’s creation and administration.
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HARRISBURG, PA – March 19, 2024 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus gathered to celebrate “Arts Advocacy Day” along with Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocacy group.
The four co-chairs of the caucus – Senator Jay Costa, Senator Pat Stefano, Representative R. Lee James, and Representative Joe Ciresi – joined advocates to praise the artists who contribute their talents to their communities, and called for continued investments in arts and culture in order to boost local economies, tourism, and downtown revitalization.
“There’s power in numbers and it’s so encouraging to see advocates from all corners of Pennsylvania come to the capitol to shine light on the vast impact of the arts,” said Senator Pat Stefano. “Support for the arts provides an opportunity for economic growth, as the arts touch multiple industries across the commonwealth. An investment in local art is an investment in our local businesses, so funding creative endeavors propels our economy to thrive.”
“I’m honored to add my voice to the chorus of leaders and activists lifting up our artists,” said Senator Jay Costa. “Supporting the arts means supporting our communities, our economies, and our families. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to continue supporting those advancing arts and culture in Pennsylvania.”
“The arts are an essential part of our lives and the fabrication of our world,” said Rep Ciresi. “We must continue to support our local art organizations, not only for the goodness of our souls but for the economic impact they bring into our society.”
“The Arts inspire,” said Rep. R. Lee James. “The Arts provide cultural knowledge for future generations. The Arts are ageless.”
“PA CultureCheck, our study with Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, highlights the innovation and creativity of Pennsylvania’s cultural organizations and their need for additional support as they face ongoing economic challenges and changing audiences,” says Laurie Zierer, executive Director of PA Humanities.
“Pennsylvania’s vast arts and culture community are facing multiple challenges of increased operational and programming costs, changes in attendance and uncertain revenue streams. Now is the time for increased state support to stabilize creativity, tourism, and arts education across the Commonwealth,” said Mitch Swain, Citizens for the Arts in PA
Footage of today’s presser is accessible here.
More information about the caucus is available at PAArtsCultureCaucus.com.
