Net-Zero Manufacturing Initiative, Venango County Trails Project Among Appalachian Regional Commission Grants To Support Coal-Impacted Communities In PA

On October 17, the federal Appalachian Regional Commission announced the award of more than $6.9 million in grants to projects in Pennsylvania's coal-impacted communities to support economic development projects.

The ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative seeks to diversify economies in communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of energy production.

“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,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Projects like these are resulting in life-changing transformations in Pennsylvania, which in turn, lift our entire Appalachian region. I send my sincerest congratulations to all of the Keystone State’s grantees as they continue to make strides toward revitalizing our coal-impacted areas.”

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

Among the Pennsylvania projects are--

-- Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation - Tri-State Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative - $1,375,961: To help address both the global climate crisis and the region’s economic reliance on coal, the project will help small and medium manufacturers participate in the growing supply chain for net-zero energy and decarbonization sectors. 

In partnership with Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers at Catalyst Connection, West Virginia University, and Ohio MAGNET, the project will engage and connect manufacturers with strategies and opportunities; incentivize the deployment of net zero supply chain and clean factory strategies by providing “Net Zero Manufacturing Mini-Grants”; and identify pathways to scale up net zero manufacturing, among other activities. 

The project will serve 47 counties, produce two plans/reports, implement three programs, serve 300 businesses, create 120 jobs and 25 new businesses, and leverage $360,000 in additional private investment. 

-- Venango County: Project: Erie to Pittsburgh Trails/PA Wilds Loop Construction—Phase II - $1,385,920: For Phase II construction of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail/PA Wilds Loop Trail, closing gaps in connectivity along both trails. Both trails are part of the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition, an initiative to connect the area’s population centers via destination trails that will attract users locally and nationally. 

After two years, 15,840 linear feet of new trail will be built, attracting an expected 6,300 new day visitors and 2,100 new overnight visitors. 

Click Here for the complete list of grants.

[Posted: October 17, 2022]  PA Environment Digest