This page highlights Pennsylvania agencies and other entities that are planning stimulus-related projects and programs and does not purport to represent every dollar that will be allocated to the state of Pennsylvania. This page will be updated to reflect new projects and funding opportunities as information becomes available.
Current Activity:
Health Care: $4 billion
Pennsylvania has announced some of its general plans for these ARRA funds, including the following: The Medical Assistance Program, which provides quality healthcare for elderly, disabled and low-income Pennsylvanians, support to medical providers for health information technology and increases to programs focused on child welfare and food stamp recipients.
Additionally, although specific amounts are not available yet, Pennsylvania reports that it expects to receive and use ARRA funds designated for the hiring and retention of healthcare professionals, health information technology and other electronic data networks to help share and preserve health information, the construction or renovation of new research facilities and for community-based prevention and wellness programs.
The Federal department of Health and Human Services has also designated funds for community health clinics in the state:
- New Kensington - Community Health Clinic, Inc. : $1,300,000
- Pittsburgh - North Side Christian Health Center: $1,300,000
- Uniontown - Community Medical Services: $975,941
- Chester - Chespenn Health Services: $1,092,247
- Philadelphia - Covenant House, Inc.: $1,300,000
- Emporium - Keystone Rural Health Consortia, Inc.: $748,380
What this means for Pennsylvania employers: Pennsylvania has not yet posted information about specific projects that will use ARRA healthcare money, but employers should expect to see opportunities to provide more and better healthcare, particularly to vulnerable populations. Given that money has already been allocated to a number of specific health centers, there should be increased work for doctors, nurses, practitioners and technicians, in addition to IT professionals and construction workers who are tasked with building and updating healthcare infrastructure.
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Education: $2.6 billion
The Pennsylvania Department of Education intends to invest its education money primarily for three broad purposes. Most of the decisions about specific programs and projects, which have not yet been finalized, will be made at the local school board level. The three general uses for the money are:
- The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund ($1.6 billion) This fund will pay for ongoing educational programs, early childhood programs, to extend the school day and for teacher and administrator salaries that might otherwise be cut or eliminated because of budget shortfalls.
- Title I programs ($399 million) This money will be used to modernize and repair educational facilities, to improve and expand general and special education programs, to improve reading programs in low-income school districts and for adult and family literacy projects. Grant period for these funds opens on April 5, 2009.
- IDEA Special Education programs ($456 million.)
Find a detailed summary of Pennsylvania’s plans for its education ARRA money.
Pennsylvania is also eligible to apply for additional money under the new State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. This money is designed to prevent reductions in critical education and other services. State Governors must apply for these funds and allocate 81.8 percent of them for education and may direct the remainder, 18.8 percent, toward other government services, which can include education.
What this means for Pennsylvania employers: The state has already suggested a number of possible uses for its education ARRA funds that will provide opportunities for employers. For example, the state anticipates being able to fund the renovation or creation of middle and high school science labs, the purchase of elementary school level science program kits, the addition of new computer labs in schools across the state, investments in career and technical education equipment, expanding literacy and tutoring programs, training and enrichment programs for educators, improving physical school facilities, updating and improving library services and the creation of safety programs for schools. Educational consultants, suppliers of computer and other equipment, IT professionals, teachers, administrators, trainers, tutors and construction workers are some of the occupations that will likely benefit under the state’s plans.
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Transportation Infrastructure: $1.4 Billion
Pennsylvania has already begun planning projects to upgrade its system of roads, airports and rail lines. The state’s department of transportation has released a list of projects that will benefit from stimulus dollars. These projects will be available for bid shortly. Interested employers should visit the State’s website to register with the state’s on-line bidding system and to search for current contract opportunities.
Additionally, the Federal Department of Transportation has already released $12 million for improvements to two Pennsylvania airports.
News on May 27, 2009: The state of Pennsylvania is slated to invest $10 Million in bridge repair, generating road construction job opportunities.
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Other Infrastructure and Housing: $476 million
According to the Pennsylvania Recovery website, this includes $523 million (sic) in funds for affordable housing construction, including $58 million in additional funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and $223 million for drinking water and sewer system improvements.
What this means for Pennsylvania employers: There are a lot of opportunities for Pennsylvania employers in the construction and related industries to get work on transportation and other infrastructure projects. The list of programs that have already been approved represent some of the projects that the state has planned, so employers should continue to check this page for updates on new roadway repair , airport, port and railway projects as well as those in the housing and energy industries. Occupations likely to see an increase in work include suppliers of raw materials needed for roadwork and bridge repair and home construction, contractors and other skilled and unskilled construction workers who can perform repair and maintenance work to roads, bridges and rail systems, surveyors, engineers and urban planners.
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Energy Independence: $373 million
Pennsylvania will be spending $250 million of its energy money on weatherization and other programs to repair and upgrade homes to make them more energy efficient. There is also money available for businesses to make their processes and facilities more energy efficient and to participate in projects that seek new uses for alternative energy. Some of these projects include:
- $258 million to weatherization
- $99 million for State energy programs
- $13 million for energy programs for small municipalities and counties (municipalities under 35,000 counties under 250,000)
- $78 million direct allocation to municipalities
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has posted guidelines for an energy costs reduction grant for public review. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has posted state ARRA weatherization guidelines for public review.
What this means for Pennsylvania employers: A major goal of the US Department of Energy is to increase the development and use of renewable energy sources and reduce the country’s dependence on traditional fossil fuel. Thus, employers who manufacture or supply environmentally friendly or energy efficient products (such as manufacturers and suppliers of products to weatherize homes and buildings) are likely to benefit. Other occupations that could see growth from Recovery Act money include researchers and scientists involved in developing new renewable energy sources, those involved in electrical upgrades and “Smart Grid” technology, and those involved in the manufacture of electrical battery components for hybrid vehicles.
Additionally, several grant opportunities are already available throught the US Department of Energy (see Monster's Department of Energy Agency page).
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Environment: $530 million
The Governor announced April 20, 2009, that $530 million will be spent on nearly 60 green infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater projects in more than 30 counties. Projects will be approved by the PENNVEST Board of Directors. Most of the approved funding ($411 million), is for low-interest loans and $119 million in grants. The awards range from a $377,000 loan to replace old and corroded drinking water distribution lines in Bucks County to an $85 million loan to eliminate raw sewage backups into basements and yards by replacing old sewage collection lines in various parts of Philadelphia.
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Existing Projects (with links to bid information):
In a document called Preliminary Grant Opportunities, Pennsylvania lists available grant and contract opportunities as of April 21, 2009, for Transportation and Infrastructure, Other Infrastructure and Housing, Energy Independence, Education, Health Care, and Relief for Pennsylvanians. The document lists the type of project, the money allotted, the agency, the application deadline and how to apply.
Transportation and Infrastructure: Projects include transportation electrification and high speed rail.
Other Infrastructure and Housing : Projects include weatherization assistance, water infrastructure, community development, distance learning, telemedicine and Broadband and neighborhood stabilization.
Energy Independence: Projects include clean diesel, advanced batteries, alternative fuel vehicles, clean renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency, fossil energy research and development, innovative energy technology, smart electric grid, and energy science.
Education: There is one project listed for community college career training.
Health Care: Projects include NIH research on adolescent obesity, community-based prevention and wellness, health information technology and loan repayment.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Recovery website.
Find an overview of Pennsylvania’s expected uses of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
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