"We are working to level the playing field for state and federal dollars to benefit communities, small businesses, schools, non-profits and many others across Pennsylvania," said Secretary Weaver. "Under Gov. Josh Shapiro's leadership, we are working to increase participation in these programs for even greater impact across our Commonwealth."
State agencies distribute billions of dollars in funding each year through over 300 grant programs. Previously, information about grants was scattered across numerous agency websites, making it difficult for potential applicants to know what programs are available, whether they qualify, and how and when to apply for them. The challenge is particularly acute for small businesses and non-profits that may not have the resources to identify funding opportunities on their own.
The new discovery tool allows users to search for, sort and filter information about grants based on the type of applicant — business, individual, non-profit, public agency, school, etc. — category, application deadline, location and other criteria. The search results include links to each program, including information on who the funding is intended for, the application process, key dates and deadlines, eligibility criteria and where to apply.
CODE PA conducted extensive internal and external research to inform the design of the new grants discovery tool, including focus groups with over 100 external grant participants and employees in 24 agencies who administer grant programs.
"One of the themes we heard consistently throughout our interviews with grant participants was the need for a comprehensive way to discover funding opportunities across state agencies and share the information with other interested entities and organizations," said Bry Pardoe, Executive Director of CODE PA. "This is a long-awaited tool that directly solves this problem for Pennsylvanians. CODE PA was created to build custom solutions to Pennsylvanians' problems for a fraction of the cost outside vendors would charge — and we're proud to continue delivering those solutions."
PA investing $1.5M investment in innovative, early-stage tech companies
Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger this week announced that $1.5 million was awarded through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) to two venture capital firms that will make investments in Pennsylvania-based early-stage technology companies.
These awards through the BFTDA will help advance the competitiveness of Pennsylvania's companies and universities in the global economy. Since January 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro has announced more than $3 billion in new private sector investment in Pennsylvania as a direct result of his Administration's work.
"Our investments in high-growth, innovative industries and firms are helping position Pennsylvania to be an economic powerhouse," said Secretary Siger. "Venture capital firms that finance start-up companies in the Commonwealth create opportunities for growth, innovation, and jobs in our communities. DCED is proud to continue our work with BFTDA to make this happen."
The BFTDA approved the following:
—$1 million on behalf of The Keystone Innovation Fund II, LP. The fund is being established via the merger of White Rose Ventures (York, PA) and 1855 Capital (State College, PA). The fund strategy focuses on making early-stage investments in companies having high growth potential, with a primary focus on businesses in central PA.
—$500,000 on behalf of Rittenhouse Ventures III. The fund was established to invest in companies that are engaged in Technology Enabled Services with special emphasis on Healthcare and Pharmaceutical technology companies. Additional focus will be in financial services, human resources as well as enterprise software companies that operate under SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) models.
Both awards were made possible through BFTDA's Venture Investment Program.
Shapiro Administration highlights PA Investments in military veteran farmers
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding this week toured Riverton Farms in Doylesburg, Franklin County — a veteran-owned beef and sheep farm that received $10,000 in 2024 to fund a well and pump to water their livestock through Pennsylvania Veterans In Agriculture Grants.
Riverton was one of 18 veteran-owned farms to receive sub-grants through the PA Veteran Farming Network — one of two Pennsylvania veterans' organizations funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture program in 2023.
Following the farm tour, Redding invited veterans' services organizations to apply for up to $200,000 in Pennsylvania Veterans in Agriculture funds to deliver subgrants to military veterans for farm and related business start-ups and expansion. Each veteran organization will in turn offer grants of up to $10,000 to veterans entering farming or expanding farms or related businesses.
"Veterans return from serving our country with valuable, hard-won skills they can put to work on the farm." Secretary Redding said. "Just like any other business, they need to finance planning, safety, permits, equipment, and other critical needs. These grants are one of the tangible ways the Shapiro Administration is thanking our veterans for their service and creating opportunities for them to succeed on the home front."
Grants may be used for agricultural business needs ranging from feasibility studies to food safety, biosecurity, and conservation planning; and from equipment purchases, to permits, marketing, and working capital.
"It is an honor for the PA Veteran Farming Network to partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on this grant program," said PA Veteran Farming Network Executive Director Mimi Thomas-Booker. "The funding is making significant and immediate impacts for the veterans who receive the grants. Pennsylvanians are saying 'thank you for your service' in a way that benefits veterans like Megan and Ollie King, and the neighbors and community members they're proving with local nutritious food and farm products."
Agriculture faces a critical workforce shortage as a generation of farmers and laborers retire. These grants are one of many ways increased agriculture funding under the Shapiro Administration is building the workforce and infrastructure Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry needs to keep growing, feeding our economy, and supporting more than 593,000 jobs.
The PA Department of Agriculture offers 74 grant programs to expand or create opportunities in agriculture, including 20 federally funded and 54 state-funded programs.
© 2024 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
