Oct. 20—WILKES-BARRE — The Shapiro Administration, through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), this week announced the investment of $218.8 million in 33 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and non-point source projects in 21 counties.
Funded projects include replacing lead pipes and service lines, rehabilitating outdated water treatment systems, improving wastewater and stormwater systems, improving service capabilities, and reducing environmental pollutants through compliance with current regulations and best management practices (BMPs) in agriculture.
“Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean air and water, and my administration is providing hundreds of millions of dollars to our local communities to support that goal and ensure water is safe when families turn on the tap,” the governor said. Josh Shapiro. “We have already helped replace more than 30,000 lead service lines across the Commonwealth and by working together, across party lines and at all levels of government, we will continue to get things done and deliver results for the good people of Pennsylvania.”
With the national focus on improving the nation’s infrastructure, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), PENNVEST now has more capacity than ever before to provide cost-effective financing for water quality projects throughout Pennsylvania.
PENNVEST continues to pivot as new opportunities arise, to ensure entities implement water quality improvements in the most cost-effective ways. PENNVEST financing is available for a variety of clean water projects, including facility projects that integrate clean energy technologies such as solar energy, anaerobic digesters, hydrothermal carbonization and dam or pipeline hydropower, as standalone projects or as part of a larger project that the facility benefits.
Implementing these technologies benefits a facility’s long-term operations and maintenance budget, but also allows the facility to receive 30 to 60 percent of eligible investments in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Tax Credits received, in the form of a direct cash payment. from the IRS upon completion of the project.
Luzerne County
Hazleton City Authority received a $7.5 million loan to construct a new 3 million gallon water storage tank at the highest point of the existing completed water transmission line on property already owned by the Hazleton City Authority (HCA).
In addition to the tank, the project includes the installation of a valve body, controls and instrumentation, SCADA communications and security fencing.
The completed water storage tank will create an operational storage buffer to allow HCA’s filtration plant to function smoothly and more easily handle the high water demands, without major fluctuations in pressure and flow, within this industrialized area.
Labor & Industry establishes the InVEST program to help people with disabilities obtain good jobs
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) this week announced the launch of a new program through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), using a $14 million federal grant to help Pennsylvanians with disabilities who earn subminimum wages, to help competitive, integrated employment (CIE).
The new Integrated Vocational Engagement & Support Team (InVEST) program builds on PA’s commitment to sustaining and promoting Employment First.
InVEST aims to eliminate some of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities working in sheltered workshops, where people with disabilities are typically paid subminimum wages and are often segregated from the larger community.
InVEST will enable participants to pursue competitive wages through economically stable career paths by facilitating the transition from subminimum wage positions to CIE.
“Today marks a transformative moment for individuals with disabilities across Pennsylvania,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “The launch of the InVEST program represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to ensuring that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of disability, can obtain competitive, integrated employment. By leveraging this $14 million federal grant, we are addressing the barriers people in sub-regions face. minimum wage jobs and enable them to build fulfilling careers with dignity and respect.”
Sheetz, Inc. is the first employer in Pennsylvania to commit to the InVEST project with plans to hire up to 10 employees annually and retain all previously hired employees. Sheetz will support these new hires with OVR-funded job coaches, who will support employees on-site, develop accommodations and prepare employees for long-term success.
Pennsylvania is one of 14 states receiving grants from the federal Department of Education for the Sub-minimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project.
In addition, L&I’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) also partners with the Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the PA Family Network: Vision for Equality (PAFN) to provide peer-to-peer education and mentoring services offer. and system navigation support for participants and their families.
“DHS has long prioritized competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities who choose to seek and maintain employment, because we know that participating in jobs that pay minimum wage or higher and receiving opportunities for advancement are the foundation for achieving a daily life.” said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh.
The practice of paying individuals with disabilities a subminimum wage remains legal under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, although several states have phased out the practice.
Baker joins his colleagues in celebrating the signing of the bipartisan juvenile justice reform bills
Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bills 169 and 170 – now Act 107 and Act 108 of 2024 – to enact reforms needed to improve outcomes for youth, families and communities, with a continued focus on protecting the public safety.
“These reforms are intended to align our juvenile justice system with proven methods to improve outcomes for youth and address significant gaps in current practices,” said Senator Lisa Baker (R, D-20), Senate Majority Leader judiciary committee in the Senate. “By improving the law, we are taking important steps to give young people a real second chance.”
– Senate Bill 169 implements a requirement that courts hold hearings at least every three months to ensure that children removed from home receive the care, treatment and services they need, and to ensure that children get to house are returned. appropriate.
– Senate Bill 170 creates an expungement process for juvenile records and requires the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer to notify the court when records are eligible for expungement and request that the court initiate the expungement process.
Senator Jay Costa (D, D-43) and Senator Lisa Baker co-chaired the Juvenile Justice Task Force, which produced a report in June 2021 with 35 recommendations for reform. Of these reforms, Senate Bills 169 and 170 address recommendations 2, 5, 16 and 23.
“I am very pleased that the Senate can work together in a bipartisan manner to get these bills across the finish line,” said Senator Costa. “The Task Force on Juvenile Justice has uncovered some unfortunate findings about the way we treat our young people in our justice system, and I am pleased that we are taking steps to reform our processes. I am hopeful that our work will lead to rehabilitation and a prosperous future for these young people.”
Senator Steve Santarsiero (D, D-10), Senate Judiciary Committee Minority Chairman, added: “For young people in the juvenile justice system to succeed, it is critical that there are supports and avenues to help the transition I want to thank Senators Baker and Costa for their roles as co-chairs of the Juvenile Justice Task Force and their work to find meaningful ways to improve outcomes for youth leaving the juvenile justice system. .”
Senate Bills 169 and 170 received the support of the Pennsylvania District Attorney Association, the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, Governor Shapiro’s administration, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police, the Office of Victim Advocate, ACLU-PA, and many other organizations.
The state is providing $800,000 to help small businesses grow and expand into the international market
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced this week that it is accepting applications for $800,000 in funding through its Global Access Program to help eligible small businesses in Pennsylvania export their products. Applications will be accepted until available funding is exhausted.
The Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to provide flexibility and encourage approved applicants to use funds innovatively to meet their specific international marketing needs. Funds can be used by companies for participation in foreign and domestic trade shows, foreign market sales trips, translation/interpretation reimbursements, shipment of sample products and more.
“The Shapiro Administration is making meaningful investments to help position Pennsylvania as an economic leader, and the Global Access Program is another tool to help us do that,” said David Briel, DCED Assistant Secretary of International Business Development. “Pennsylvania companies have much to offer the world, and we are helping them expand their global reach so they can thrive.”
The funding was awarded to DCED through the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which since 2011 has helped thousands of small businesses obtain grants and find customers in the international marketplace. Companies are eligible to apply for the financing if they are ready to export and are in good standing under SBA standards. Small businesses can apply for GAP and get more information about the program here.
DCED’s Office of International Business Development (OIBD) provides confidential and customized international business programs and services to Pennsylvania companies of all sizes and stages of growth. Services through the Export Assistance Program include: development of a market access strategy, connections with eligible international partners and buyers, support of trade shows and missions, market research and background checks of foreign companies.
In 2023, OIBD helped 643 Pennsylvania companies export products worth more than $584.6 million and brought more than $489 million in international business investment to Pennsylvania. These overseas exports and international investments have supported more than 12,600 jobs in Pennsylvania.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
