October 27, 2022
McKeesport – October 26, 2022 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today announced more than $12 million in economic development grants for projects in the 45th Senate District.
“These state grant programs are extremely competitive and the great coordination between government and business in my district helped win significant investments in the region,” Brewster said. “Economic recovery is not done with miracles. It’s done through hard work, strong vision and consistent cooperation among state, local and business leaders.”
The money is being awarded through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Program, administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
Projects in the 45th Senate District include:
Braddock – Braddock Carnegie Library Association – $2 million – The BCLA’s overall renovation will create universal accessibility and year-round access to all three floors of the building while upgrading ADA accessibility. The primary focus of these funds will be to renovate and modernize the BCLA’s historic Music Hall. Renovation of the historic Music Hall and addition of amenities will allow the BCLA to host professional acts, performances & convenings.
Braddock – Braddock School Lofts – $500,000 – The project will focus on the adaptive reuse of the Braddock Junior High School. It will revive the historic façade and features of the structure while introducing community-based amenities and quality living space; repair the deteriorated elements of the building; and replace all broken or missing windows with high-performance replications. The existing building envelope’s historical integrity will be maintained, requiring an interior insulation approach. All building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical, will be upgraded.
Brentwood – Economic Development – $1.5 million – In this project, Brentwood Borough will demolish its vacant former municipal building to the subgrade level. Asbestos and other hazardous materials will be professionally remediated. The site will be restored to pad-ready condition.
East Pittsburgh – Municipal Facility – $1,00,000 – This project will demolish the old gymnasium facility and construct the new municipal facility that would be centrally located to a majority of the residents. It will allow all borough services to locate in the same building, simplifying communications and overall operations. It would also move the public works department closer to the salt and construction storage area. The entire area will also be repaved and re-seeded, resulting in a net decrease of impermeable surfaces compared to the current condition.
Latterman Family Health Center – New Family Health Center and Magee OBGYN – $1.5 million – This project will construct a new family health center. It will expand operations and the number of exam rooms to provide ample space for patients as well as current, and future staff.
Lincoln – Rail Line for 2045 Lincoln Boulevard – $500,000 – This project includes the installation of a new mainline switch to the facility, the removal and reconstruction of existing track and the construction of new, additional track, as well as renovations to the rail scale improvements in site drainage to address frequent flooding at the rail scale location.
McKeesport – Executive Building – $1 million – The Executive Building is no longer condemned, and businesses are moving into its retail spaces. This project will help address the major mechanical concerns for long-term viability and stability. It will also allow a faster renovation timeline.
McKeesport – The People’s Building – $1 million – The People’s Building is no longer condemned and there are only a few small obstacles preventing occupancy for tenants. This project will address the major mechanical concerns for long term viability and stability. It will also speed up the renovation timeline which will allow developers to build out space for tenants faster.
River Materials – Transloading Expansion – $1,00,000 – With the aid of an RACP award, RMI plans to purchase the final piece of the site from RIDC and double its current dock capacity. Through this expansion RMI will have the area to fleet more than 65 barges. RMI is presently in negotiations to lease the five rail lines adjacent to their property to allow for expansion of the site to include rail to ground, river or trucks along with the loading of railcars with various commodities. RMI expects this will increase employment with the addition of 30 plus well-paying jobs in the Mon Valley region of Pittsburgh.
Monroeville – Jewish Community Center Family Park Facility – $2 million – This project includes renovations/improvements to four areas of JCC’s Monroeville Family Park facility: aquatics center renovations, including liner replacement and related filter/grating; renovation and addition of activity areas at the site, including the addition of much needed shaded play areas; construction of a new indoor building with classroom space; construction/renovation of kitchen and dining area to facilitate meal preparation and dining needs during the summer.
Wilmerding – Allegheny Petroleum Expansion – $1 million – The overall proposed project involves the purchase of the company’s existing leased building and renovations to improve the building’s structure and manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturing infrastructure includes new air compressors, compressor room, electric power redistribution, heat exchanger, nitrogen generations system, and six new processing tanks with piping.
December 23, 2020
McKeesport – December 23, 2020 – Senator Jim Brewster today announced more than $6 million in state grants that will go to projects in the 45th senatorial district.
“I was happy to advocate for these important projects, and I am excited to see them come to fruition thanks to this investment from the state,” said Senator Brewster. “Each of the projects funded today will bolster our region’s economy.”
The funding comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
One of the projects funded will be the expansion of PurePenn in McKeesport. The medical marijuana manufacturer will receive $2,000,000 to conduct an interior build-out which will include mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and other interior building components.
“This investment in McKeesport has been a job creator and a real contributor to the regional economy”, said Brewster. “I am looking forward to what comes for the area from this substantial funding.”
Also, UPMC St. Margaret’s Family Health Center in New Kensington will receive $1,250,000 for a new clinical space to accommodate more patients, provide room for team and group meetings, and offer swing spaces for outside social service agencies.
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will receive $1,000,000 to improve overall efficiency and support distribution of more fresh produce.
In addition to these investments, the Braddock Carnegie Library Association is slated to receive $1,000,000 to implement the first comprehensive building renovation and preservation plan in the 132-year history of the Braddock Carnegie Library.
And finally, the Former Westinghouse HQ/Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center in Monroeville will receive $1,000,000 as it moves forward with efforts to provide university, government and industrial researchers with access to systems for high-performance computing, communications, and data storage.
September 6, 2018
Harrisburg – Sept. 6, 2018 – A $500,000 state grant for environmental upgrades at the Three Rivers Marine and Rail Terminals in Glassport has been secured by state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
“This is an important project for the facility,” Brewster said. “The grant will be used to ensure that the environmental upgrades to the ponds on site meet all state standards.”
Brewster said the project includes synthetic liners and outfalls for two ponds. He said that officials at Three Rivers Marine and Rail Terminals have worked with state and county environmental officials to ensure that all requirements are met.
“The redevelopment of our region, including the growth of business and jobs, requires state investment,” Brewster said. “Finding state resources to complete local projects will pay dividends for years to come.”
Brewster said that the funding was approved through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
Brewster said that he, along with state Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) who represents Glassport in the state House of Representatives, know the importance of securing state funding of local projects. He said he and Kortz actively seek funding from various state programs, including those on the state’s capital budget.
The senator said that Gov. Tom Wolf was instrumental in helping find the dollars for the grant.
“The governor has stepped up and worked to fund important grants for worthwhile projects,” Brewster said.
The state Department of Environmental Protection has worked closely with Three Rivers Marine and Rail Terminal on the project.
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September 5, 2018
Harrisburg – Sept. 5, 2018 – The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) in West Mifflin has been awarded a $500,000 state grant to aid renovations of the campus, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
“Facilities at the PIA campus in West Mifflin will be significantly improved as a result of these new state funds,” Brewster said. “PIA is a well-established school dedicated to training students for jobs in aviation.
“These new dollars will help the institute continue its critical mission.”
The funding will be used to renovate several areas on the campus. The rehabilitation project includes new entry doors, building upgrades, reconfiguration of the learning center, replacement of the HVAC system, as well as lighting and technology improvements.
The funding has been earmarked through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
Brewster credited the governor with seeing the value of the project.
“The governor’s support of this project was critical, and I am pleased that he was engaged and delivered the funding,” Brewster said.
Brewster said that both he and state Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) who serve West Mifflin and the surrounding areas are strong supporters of PIA. He said they welcome more state investment for the school because of the job opportunities that are created for its students.
The estimated total cost of the project is $1.3 million.
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December 22, 2017
Harrisburg – December 22, 2017 – American Textile in Duquesne is set to receive a $1.5 million state grant to remediate the grounds of the facility and open new space for expansion, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
“The grant for American Textile will not only remediate the area it now uses for manufacturing but it will make even more space available for continued development,” Brewster said. “Investing state dollars of this magnitude into a local company and helping it explore new areas for expansion will result in more jobs and economic growth.”
The grant was made available through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP grants are used to fund redevelopment work, aid commercial development and promote economic development. The capital funding is authorized by the General Assembly.
“One project after another is spurring a resurgence of the Mon Valley as an economic center,” Brewster said. “American Textile is a vital part of that resurgence and is a critical part of the economic base of Duquesne.”
Brewster said that American Textile, which is located at the former U.S. Steel Duquesne Works, is now part of RIDC’s City Center of Duquesne development.
“American Textile is strategically located and will be close to the future Mon Fayette Expressway,” Brewster said. “The company continues to be a good partner and part of the future of the Valley.”
According to the state budget office which administers RACP grants, American Textile plans to remediate the current manufacturing area and the adjacent land site. The plant remediation area will be cleared of equipment/product then protected with a sealed containment. The floor will be excavated 10 to 15 feet, backfilled, then finished with an 8” thick rebar reinforced concrete slab. The site remediation of American Textile Company property will generate a 100,000-square foot site.
“I am pleased that the grant was approved and state grant dollars are being returned to our area to complete important projects,” Brewster said.
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