March 20, 2020
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) recently approved several grants to bolster economic activity in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.
On March 18, PAsmart Grants were awarded for industry partnerships in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. The grants will be used to enhance education and training for workers and help match job skill sets with opportunities.
Local grants include:
Hospitality and Retail Partnership ($45,000)
Westmoreland-Fayette Logistics and Transportation Industry Partnerships ($45,000)
Southwest Corner Building and Construction Industry Partnership ($250,000)
Transportation and Logistics Industry Partnership ($250,000)
Pennsylvania Steel Alliance ($145,000)
Healthcare Industry Partnership ($45,000)
Financial Services Industry Partnership ($250,000)
Construction Industry Partnership ($250,000)
August 28, 2019
Harrisburg – August 28, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that Allegheny County Airport has been awarded a state grant for $900,000 to upgrade airport buildings.
“Allegheny County Airport is a regional resource that enhances development potential throughout the Mon Valley,” Brewster said. “An improved airport, in addition to the new Mon-Fayette Expressway and other local economic projects create business development opportunities for the area.”
Funding for the $900,000 grant was through PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, Aviation Development Program, and the Multimodal Fund.
Allegheny County Airport (AGC) is a key cog in the transportation infrastructure of the region. The airport began serving the county in 1931. The airport has more than 60,000 commercial and scheduled flight takeoffs and landings every year.
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August 8, 2019
August 8, 2019 – Senator Jim Brewster announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved a request to declare a disaster in Allegheny County for damage from storms and flash flooding on July 21 and 22, 2019.
“This news is great for residents and businesses of this region who suffered losses from these storms and floods last month,” said Senator Brewster. “This decision by the SBA would not have happened without local, county, and state officials and emergency services staff working together.”
Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the flooding from the storms on July 21 and 22 in Allegheny County, as well as those in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.
Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications. Information about the program can be found at https://disasterloan.sba.gov.
The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to help with loan applications and answer questions about the disaster loan program. The DLOC will be open at the following location and times:
Renton Volunteer Department
Plum Borough
1996 Old Mine Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Opening: Friday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 & August 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed: Sundays
Closes: Tuesday, August 20 at 4 p.m.
Individuals and businesses unable to visit the centers in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 7, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is May 7, 2020.
December 6, 2018
Harrisburg – Dec. 6, 2018 – Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin is slated to receive a $223,000 grant to acquire equipment for the airport facility, Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced today.
“The Allegheny County Airport is a tremendous asset and an important part of the region’s transportation network,” Brewster said. “The grant funds will be utilized to buy equipment and support operations at the facility.”
The funding was approved through the state Department of Transportation’s Aviation Development Program. The Allegheny County Airport is one of 26-grants approved statewide for aviation projects. Over $6 million was approved for aviation projects in this funding round.
“The airport serves the entire economy of southwestern Pennsylvania and will grow in importance when other key local economic projects – such as the Mon-Fayette Expressway – are completed,” Brewster said. “A first-rate airport is a strong economic tool that can be used to attract other development and jobs.”
Brewster said that funding for the grants is generated through the state’s jet fuel tax and the multimodal fund.
Brewster is a member of the Senate Transportation Committee.
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June 4, 2014
Harrisburg, June 4, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) is encouraging seniors to take advantage of a program that provides free vouchers to purchase fresh produce grown in Pennsylvania.
“This is an excellent program for both seniors and Pennsylvania farmers because the vouchers will help provide healthy foods to older Pennsylvanians,” Brewster said.
The 2014 Senior Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program provides eligible individuals four $5 checks to use at any participating Farmers’ Market to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Checks are available at a number of Westmoreland and Allegheny County locations throughout the summer.
The distribution date for Allegheny County is Tuesday, June 17. Contact the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging for the list of check distribution sites and times. The distribution dates and times for Westmoreland County vary by site. Contact the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging for the list of check distribution dates, times, and sites.
Participants must provide proof of age and residency to sign up for checks. Acceptable proofs of age include: PACE card, driver’s license, AAA card, baptismal certificate or birth certificate. Checks are distributed on a first come, first served basis, no exceptions.
The program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and applies to Pennsylvania produce such as apples, beans, berries, carrots, grapes, melons, spinach and tomatoes. The checks can be used until Nov. 30.
To qualify for the program, a participant must be age 60 or older by December 31, 2014, and make less than $21,590 per year for a one person household; or $29,101 a year for a two person household. Married couples may each receive one set of checks. Older adults living in a nursing home, convent, or residential facility that provides meals on a regular basis are not eligible to receive checks. Participants may only receive checks from one sign up location per year.
If an eligible senior requires a proxy to receive their checks, the proxy is responsible for signing for and spending the checks for the individual. Proxy forms are available at participating senior centers, on the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) website, on the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) website or the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.
“The program helps senior citizens and I urge all who are qualified to participate,” Brewster said.
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July 16, 2013
Harrisburg, July 16, 2013 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) approval of two new affordable housing project sites in Allegheny County.
“Access to affordable, safe housing is essential to the success of a community,” Brewster said. “I’m pleased that families in McKeesport and Duquesne will have more housing options and a chance for a better quality of life.”
The Yester Square development is located on 5.5 acres in McKeesport, and it is the first phase of the McKeesport Housing Authority’s plan to revitalize the Crawford public housing site, an area with poor conditions and an uncomfortable high unit density. Yester Square will include 10 two-story buildings containing 58 housing units. Developers requested $1.2 million in tax credits from the PHFA to build the low-income housing.
In Duquesne, the Orchard Park development is located on the 5.1 acre site of the former Burns Heights public housing, which was demolished in 2009. The new site will include 44 units in 22 buildings. The development will meet Energy Star requirements, which will decrease utility rates for residents. Developers requested $1.5 million in tax credits from the PHFA to construct Orchard Park.
“There is an immense need to revitalize the outdated and densely developed public housing in certain areas of the county,” Brewster said. “These projects are a step in the right direction.”
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