PA SITES Pilot Program: $10 Million in Grants to Boost Business Development in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

PENNSYLVANIA — Governor Josh Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger this week announced the PA SITES pilot program, offering $10 million in grant funding to help sites in Pennsylvania become “shovel ready” for businesses. Applications for the funding are open from September 26 to November 8, 2023. This initiative aims to attract more investments and boost the state’s economy.

Made possible by an additional $13 million in PA First funding Governor Shapiro fought for and secured in the 2023-24 state budget, PA SITES will provide grant funding to eligible applicants – such as municipalities, economic development organizations, and industrial development agencies – to enhance sites.

Grants will be awarded to help make sites competitive for prospective businesses, including transportation access improvements, utility extensions, or grading of pad-ready sites. These enhancements will help make previously utilized sites and underdeveloped sites shovel-ready for businesses to relocate, expand, and create jobs in Pennsylvania.

The launch of the PA SITES pilot program is an important development in driving business investments and boosting the economy in Pennsylvania. Secretary Siger highlighted how this program demonstrates responsiveness to the needs of the economic development and business communities, positioning the state as business-friendly and ready for growth.

Eligible applicants for the PA SITES pilot program include:

  • Municipalities – Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, or home rule municipality;
  • Economic Development Organizations – A nonprofit corporation or association whose purpose is the enhancement of economic conditions in their community;
  • Redevelopment Authorities;
  • Municipal Authorities; and
  • Industrial Development Agencies.

Eligible Projects must be located within the Commonwealth and support the development of competitive sites. These include undeveloped sites and sites that were previously utilized or underutilized (such as former industrial, commercial, military, school, or hospital sites or buildings).

The bipartisan, commonsense 2023-24 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law spurs job creation, invests in manufacturing innovation, cuts red tape for businesses, and provides the funding to make the Commonwealth more competitive on a global scale. For more information, visit Governor Josh Shapiro’s Budget website.

For more information about PA SITES and Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website.

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