State Senate advances two economic recovery bills

The state Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee recently advanced two bills designed to support Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Bill 797 would amend the Neighborhood Improvement District Act to include Allegheny County.

Neighborhood improvement districts are geographic areas within a municipality where a special assessment was levied on all designated property, other than tax-exempt property, for the purpose of promoting the economic and general welfare.

State Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny and Washington Counties) wrote the bill.

Senate Bill 977 would amend the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to create $75 million economic recovery grant program within the Commonwealth Financing Authority called the Economic Recovery Grant Program.

The goal of the program is to support projects that transform vacate buildings and industrial sites.

State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh and Northampton counties) wrote the bill.

“As each new COVID-19 variant hits Pennsylvania, businesses in our communities must brace for more and more economic turbulence,” state Sen. John Yudichak (I-Carbon County), committee chairman, said. “I commend Senator Robinson and Senator Boscola for working to advance legislation that will help Pennsylvania businesses sustain their companies and their employees through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The bills now move to the full Senate for consideration.