Nearly $36 million from the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program will help 220 community revitalization projects across Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.
Seventy-seven of the projects receiving funding are in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“These projects make the state stronger as a whole and keep it the best place to live, work and play,” Wolf said.
The program is designed to support nonprofits, businesses and residents in distressed or low-income neighborhoods. It also provides covid-19- and social justice-related assistance.
Several dozen projects in Pittsburgh are receiving funding.
In Downtown, $250,000 in funding will help redevelop Pittsburgh’s iconic Kaufmann Building as a functional, multi-use development. The project will retain the historic building, which will now house a Target, allowing residents easy access to necessities and fresh groceries.
That development also includes constructing more than 300 apartment units, which will have access to a gym and amenities.
An additional $250,000 will go toward development of the Vision on 15th in the city’s Strip District. The project involves constructing an eight-story, 265,000-square-foot building with retail space and offices. The development should create over 1,000 jobs.
In East Liberty, $156,675 will help kickstart a new business called The Dog Bar, where people can bring their pups with them to socialize and have a drink with friends. The business plans to create 11 full-time jobs.
Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin announced the new projects at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, where over $1.3 million in Neighborhood Assistance Program funding will help them keep up with increased demand that began during the pandemic.
“This program is incredibly valuable in encouraging public-private partnerships that lead to community improvements and a better quality of life for Pennsylvanians,” Davin said.
A complete list of funded projects in the region was published online.
