The Southwest PA Municipal Project Hub is a new regional initiative supporting local government and nonprofit leaders across Southwestern PA to access historic federal funds.

The Hub, which launched Tuesday and will roll out gradually over the next month, will provide direct, hands-on support and technical assistance to Southwestern PA municipalities, school districts, and nonprofits working to collaboratively draw down record amounts of historic federal infrastructure and sustainable economic development funding to reinvest in our communities and create family-sustaining jobs.

The Hub will partner with local leaders who want assistance creating impactful projects in their communities but need help accessing federal resources and other available tools.

Focus priorities include building up the capacity of existing organizations leading sustainable economic development work; identifying opportunities for catalytic federal investment in community-driven projects and locally owned businesses; creating, funding, and implementing these projects with local leaders and community members; and studying and making recommendations on specific systems-level improvements that will deliver real benefit to residents.

The 10 counties served include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

The Hub’s CEO, Brittany Reno, is the Mayor of Sharpsburg, PA, and a lifelong Southwestern PA resident.

Brittany grew up exploring the cornfields and creeks of her father’s family’s multi-generational dairy farm in Butler County after spending her early childhood living in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

She understands the daily challenges small towns across Pennsylvania face and the transformative impact these federal investments can have to rebuild our main streets, create good-paying jobs in clean industries, and reduce energy bills for residents.

Brittany’s work has spanned sectors and industries, positioning her as a frequent trusted collaborator and advisor for local government officials and nonprofits pursuing various multi-disciplinary, cross-sector, sustainable economic development projects across the region.

The Hub will also seek opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with Pennsylvania state government in their aligned efforts to maximize federal investments.

“The Shapiro Administration is working to leverage as many federal dollars as possible to invest in clean energy and cement Pennsylvania’s place as an energy leader,” said Brian Regli, Director of Governor Shapiro’s Office of Critical Investments. “The Heinz Endowments investment in The Hub will help to build the infrastructure the Commonwealth needs to take full advantage of the tax credits available under the Inflation Reduction Act. This forward-looking program will help local governments find and apply for clean energy investments, and we look forward to partnering with them to potentially bring hundreds of millions more in federal resources to Pennsylvania.”

The Heinz Endowments provided start-up funding for The Hub as part of a broader commitment to fostering equitable economic development and lasting positive change in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

By strategically leveraging federal resources while investing in the capacity of local leaders, the SWPA Municipal Project Hub will drive long-term innovation, access funding for meaningful projects with and for the people impacted by them, and address the unique, diverse, and frequently intersecting needs and opportunities of communities across the region.

“The Heinz Endowments is committed to helping our region maximize the historic funding opportunity that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act offer for infrastructure, economic development, and climate-friendly projects,” said Matt Barron, Program Director for Sustainability at The Heinz Endowments.

“We know that many towns, school districts, and nonprofit organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania don’t have the time, the staff capacity, or the resources to go after these opportunities alone,” said Barron.  “The Hub will be the partner they need.

“The grant writing, project development assistance, legal guidance, and communications support that The Hub will provide – with the strong, resourceful, and passionate leadership of Brittany Reno – will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to create good new union jobs in clean industries, revitalize our main streets and aging housing stock, and reduce costs to local governments and schools.”

Project Hub services will include project conceptualization, visioning, technical research, capacity, and relationship-building support to position SWPA's communities to efficiently, strategically, and competitively apply for transformative federal grant opportunities alongside local and regional partners.

To learn more, visit the Southwest PA Municipal Project Hub website.

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[Posted: February 13, 2024]

2/19/2024