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As you know, most development projects require permits or authorizations from DEP and the following tools are intended to help streamline the process for applicants.    

Pre-Application Consultation Tool (PACT) and Pre-Application Meeting:.  DEP offers a handful of tools that can be of assistance to clients to determine whether or not permits will be necessary including a Pre-Application Consultation Tool (PACT), which is a questionnaire filled out on-line that immediately produces an email back to the applicant with a list of permitting considerations.  DEP also offers a pre-application meeting to clients.  This is a fantastic resource for the public.  The applicant would request a pre-application meeting with DEP and DEP would have all the appropriate program staff and possibly the Conservation District and Army Corps of Engineers at the table.  DEP listens to the client’s project pitch and then is able to provide feedback, identify and help mitigate any red flags, provide timeframes, etc.  DEP follows up in writing to all clients as well.   DEP has found that having a pre-application meeting early in the process can make a big difference in the flow of the project and get everyone on the same page from the get go.  NWRO Assistant Regional Director, Staci Gustafson, is the contact for pre-application meetings and the PACT.  She can be reached directly at 814.332.6935 and gustafson@pa.gov

If you are considering a brownfield remediation or redevelopment project in 2018, please take a look at DEP’s resources for those projects related to Act 2 and funding opportunities.

DEP Brownfield Success Stories: Undergoing an Act 2 cleanup can be an overwhelming process, but you will see through this webpage that many communities and developers have successfully undergone the Act 2 process, received an Act 2 Relief of Liability, and have brought many acres of once contaminated, blighted property back to productive use.  DEP looks forward to assisting you in doing the same.

DEP’s Brownfield Development Guide:  To help you navigate the process.

Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) Funds:  ISRP offers grant and low-interest loan financing to perform environmental site assessment and remediation work at former industrial sites.  The program is administered by Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) with close oversight of technical issues including work plan by regional DEP office.  Program guidelines and application instructions can be found here.  Note that the application process begins with a Letter of Intent being submitted to DCED.  This is outlined in the program guidelines.  ISRP is available to parties including EDCs who do not own the property for assessment activities.  You must be the property owner in order to be eligible for remediation funding.

EPA Brownfield Grants: A list of EPA’s Brownfield programs.  Western PA has had some luck accessing these competitive dollars. Lawrence County EDC received an assessment grant a few years ago and Greenville, Mercer County and a number of Pittsburgh area communities were recently awarded an EPA assessment grant.  Press release.

Finally, DEP works closely with its sister agencies to get make sure communities and clients are connected to the resources that they need.  PA DCED recently launched its new PA Business One-Stop Shop.   Whether you are thinking about starting your own business, expanding your existing company, or are considering a move to the Keystone State, this site will provide useful information to help you work smart and live happy in Pennsylvania.

The official press release can be found at this link.

Since April of 2013, Brian Hansbury has been the Vice President of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), a county-wide economic development organization whose mission is to expand employment opportunities and improve the overall quality of life for county residents. Brian is responsible for project management, marketing, financing and business outreach, and serves on multiple local, county and regional boards of directors.

Brian earned both Bachelor's and a Master's Degrees from Kutztown University in Public Administration and Political Science. Prior to joining the SEDCO staff, Brian spent six years with Greater Hazleton CAN DO in a similar capacity.

"I am honored to serve PEDA as the EDC committee co-chair with Steve McKnight.  I'm excited to get to work with Steve, PEDA Chairman Jim Becker and the rest of the Board of Directors. The EDC committee and PEDA continue to help guide policy and improve the economic conditions in the Commonwealth. 

For years, the Economic Development Course in Pennsylvania has served the needs of full-time economic development practitioners and those involved in economic development in a secondary way. The course draws participants whose backgrounds range from the seasoned professional to the beginning practitioner. Participants learn theoretical and practical approaches to economic development. This year's IEDC-accredited course takes place in Lancaster from December 3-6.  

PEDA is currently seeking your feedback to a brief professional development survey, your responses to which will help us to continue meeting your evolving educational needs. Thank you in advance for your participation.

  

Click here to access the Young Professional Scholarship Request Form for PEDA's fall conference. These scholarship opportunities are made available through the generosity of FirstEnergy Corp and Team Pennsylvania Foundation.

Pennsylvania Approves C-PACE Program

On June 12, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new, bipartisan bill that will help commercial and industrial property owners finance upgrades for energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy systems. Under the legislation, this bill will enable Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE).

Similar to the 33 other states who already run the program, it will be voluntary and will allow municipal governments to set up energy improvement districts, where private lenders can give money to commercial, industrial, or agricultural property owners for eligible improvements to buildings. C-PACE programs are growing in success, as last year these commercial and industrial properties accounted for over a quarter of U.S. energy consumption and about $521 million in investment through these programs,  according to a 2017 Department of Energy report.  C-PACE, however, can be time-consuming and complex for local governments to administer, especially in states like Pennsylvania, which is fragmented with 67 counties and 2,562 municipalities. The new legislation does not prescribe how the program will be administered.   

The bill, SB 234 moved through Pennsylvania’s legislature with broad support this year -- getting the approval of the state Senate (42-8) in January and House (163-28) at the end of May. While Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry does not track clean energy jobs, the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance found that the state’s clean energy sector is growing, and most jobs (about 55,000) were in fact related to energy efficiency.

DCED has advised PEDA that representatives of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) contacted them this week to seek help in spreading the word across Pennsylvania that funds remain available for the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program.

Many of you are also familiar with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER initiative, which is currently evaluating applications submitted in round one of this fiscal year. ARC is accepting applications for the next round of funding that closes Aug. 29, 2018.

There remain significant resources available for Pennsylvania communities impacted by the changing coal economy via these two federal programs. This doesn’t just mean areas with coal mines. There have been investments in regions with supply chain impacts or closures/conversions of coal-fired power plants.

Contact your Local Development District (LDD) or Economic Development District (EDD) to discuss opportunities through both of these programs! Opportunities exist to access both programs to provide significant funding support for your project.

EDA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA):
https://www.eda.gov/coal/2017/

ARC POWER:
https://www.arc.gov/funding/POWER.asp

Examples of coal-related projects funded in PA:
https://www.arc.gov/images/grantsandfunding/POWER2017/ARCPOWERAwardSummariesbyState9-6-2017.pdf

Photo Credit: Keystone Edge

On May 17th, PEDA teamed up with Keystone Edge to host the first ever "Gather Up" event in the Susquehanna Valley. Co-hosted with Team Pennsylvania, this event, held at Rusty Rail Brewing Co. in Mifflinburg, brought members and friends of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Young Professionals together with regional economic and community development leaders. 

Amongst good drinks, food, and conversation, we were inspired to hear about the interesting and forward-thinking work going on to engage young people and help the Valley thrive. PEDA is excited to be a part of that conversation now and in the future and has underwritten a new Keystone Edge feature story to be published this month. As follow up to the event, on-the-ground work in the Valley to connect young people with economic and community development volunteer and career opportunities is also in the works for this summer.

Finally, we would also like our PEDA members in the Valley for attending the Gather Up event and representing our profession!

Photo Credit: Keystone Edge

Meanwhile, elsewhere in PA, PEDA is joined with Keystone Edge on three "Day in the Life" visits and interviews with economic development professionals from three regions of the state:

• Steve McKnight of Altoona Blair County Development Corporation
• Jared Mast of Greater Easton Development Partnership
• Katrina Vincent of Erie County Economic Development

Stories featuring Steve, Jared, and Katrina will publish on KeystoneEdge.com in June, July, and August, respectively. Follow Keystone Edge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos from their Day in the Life visits.