Pennsylvania coal communities to get $6.9M for economic development

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that coal communities in his state would receive more than $6.9 million for economic development projects.

Wolf joined Gayle Machin, federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and other Appalachian region governors to celebrate the commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative which aims to positively impact communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

“This $6.9 million is a critical investment for our communities with economies impacted by a changing energy market,” said Gov. Wolf. “These nine projects will create jobs, diversify local economies, inspire stewardship, and improve quality of life for Pennsylvanians.”

Projects funding with ARC POWER grants include the Partnerships to Advance Learning in STEM Strategic Expansion Plan which will provide $48,661 for a project that will help four regional teams develop action plans to implement a tutoring program; the Erie County Broadband Expansion Feasibility Study which will provide $50,000 to the Erie Area Council of Governments to analyze existing broadband infrastructure and coverage gaps, then recommend implementation strategies for expansion and improvement; and the Tri-State Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative which awards $1.3 million to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation to help small and medium manufacturers participate in the net-zero energy and decarbonization supply chains.

“From healthcare to broadband expansion and workforce training, the projects receiving grants in this round of POWER funding show that the economic future of Pennsylvania’s coal-impacted communities is not only bright, but diverse,” Manchin said. “Projects like these are resulting in life-changing transformations in Pennsylvania, which in turn, lift our entire Appalachian region.”