Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced on Tuesday 11 projects would receive $64 million as part of the first round of PA SITES grants.
The PA Sites program was created by Gov. Josh Shapiro to allow the state to develop more readily available sites for businesses. Part of the Governor’s $500 Economic Development Strategy, Shapiro secured $500 million for site development, of with $400 million would go to the PA SITES program.
“The Commonwealth is home to a highly skilled workforce, bountiful natural resources, and a strategic location,” Siger said. “These projects will create new jobs, increase access to opportunity for our residents, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s economic future for years to come.”
The program received 66 applications for more than $377 million worth of projects. Officials said they would continue to review applications and plan on making another announcement of awards in the third quarter of this year.
Projects winning awards include $2.8 million for the Bedford County Development Association for a project to develop Area 1 and 2 of a 151-acre site into the Bedford County Business Park III.
“This investment comes at a critical time. Our first two business parks are nearly fully occupied, and the lack of shovel-ready sites has limited our ability to support local business expansion and attract new employers to the region,” Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, said.
Other grant awardees include $30 million to Ensemble/Mosaic Navy Yard, LLC in Philadelphia to develop the Philadelphia Navy Yard Greenway District; and $6,984,906 to RIDC Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund in Westmoreland County to rehabilitate buildings 37 and 38 on the former Alcoa manufacturing site.
“This is a tremendous investment for Bedford County as we continue to attract world-class businesses to this area,” said House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton).