Latest news with #AustinDavis
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislative Roundup: Lt. Gov. highlights investments in NEPA
May 4—WILKES-BARRE — Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and representatives from the state Department of Community and Economic Development this week visited Berwick and Lewisburg to tout investments from the Shapiro-Davis Administration to revitalize the communities' downtowns and support local small businesses through the new Main Street Matters program. "I'm thrilled that the Coblentz Corner Project — which is receiving nearly $700,000 in state funding — isn't just about rehabbing an old building," Davis said. "It's about investing in the young people of Berwick and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh Shapiro and I want every Pennsylvania community to be a place where businesses can grow and young people can thrive." Earlier this month, the Shapiro-Davis Administration awarded $20 million in grants through the Main Street Matters program, administered by DCED. In Columbia County, Community Strategies Group is receiving a $678,062 Main Street Matters grant for the Coblentz Corner Project, which will rehab a blighted building in the heart of the new Berwick Arts District into a teen center and entrepreneurial academy. "Coblentz Corner simultaneously culminates more than 15 years of collaborative, incremental momentum in Berwick and serves as a catalyst for the Downtown's next 15 years," said Rich Kisner, executive director of Community Strategies Group. "Funding these types of projects in rural communities like Berwick is very challenging, but Main Street Matters is the kind of program that can change the entire scope of what's possible." In 2024, FHLBank named downtown Berwick as a Blueprint Community — a revitalization and leadership initiative that serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable communities in the region. Davis previously served as a Blueprint Community team member in his hometown of McKeesport. Also in Columbia County, Bloomsburg is receiving two Main Street Matters grants: —$50,955 to revitalize Market Street Square. —$50,000 for road diet planning for State Route 11/Main Street. Lewisburg, which DCED designated as a Keystone Communities Main Street in 2024, is receiving two Main Street Matters grants: —$75,000 for a business improvement grant program. —$100,000 for way-finding signage. Through Main Street Matters, the Shapiro-Davis Administration is investing $20 million to revitalize downtown areas, help businesses grow and improve community infrastructure. These funds build on the success of the Keystone Communities Program, which has helped cities and towns across Pennsylvania repair historic buildings, improve pedestrian safety and provide direct support to small businesses. Main Street Matters received more than 200 applications requesting more than $43 million, underscoring the demand for strategic investments in Main Streets across Pennsylvania. The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget proposal includes another $20 million for the initiative. FBI releases annual Internet Crime Report The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released its latest annual report. The 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion — a 33% increase in losses from 2023. Nationwide, the top three cyber-crimes, by number of complaints, reported in 2024 were: phishing/spoofing, extortion and personal data breaches. The top three crime types reported by victims of fraud loss were: investment scams, business email compromise and tech support scams. Cryptocurrency fraud continued to be a devastating crime. In 2024, the IC3 received over 149,000 complaints with $9.3 billion in total losses, representing a 66% increase from 2023. For individuals over the age of 60, the IC3 received over 147,000 complaints spanning across all cyber scams, with losses totaling $4.8 billion. This is a 46% increase in complaints from 2023 and a 43% increase in losses from 2023. The average loss was $83,000. Pennsylvania was in the top 10 states by number of complaints to IC3 as well as the top 10 states by losses. In reported complaints per state, Pennsylvania was 5th overall with over 27,000 reports. In reported losses, Pennsylvania was 8th overall, with losses of over $400 million. "Since our founding, the FBI has vigorously pursued complex financial crimes," said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. "While the methods have evolved, the motives remain the same — criminals seeking to exploit others for profit. Today, fraudsters are using advanced digital tools to scale their schemes and target victims around the globe. Whether you're an individual consumer or a large corporation, the threat is real — and growing. That's why we urge everyone to stay vigilant online, and report suspected internet crimes to the FBI at Your reports are vital — they help us disrupt criminal networks, share intelligence with our partners, and safeguard our communities." To promote public awareness, the IC3 produces the annual report to aggregate and highlight the data provided by the public. The quality of the data is a direct reflection of the information the public provides through the IC3 website. The IC3 standardizes the data by categorizing each complaint and analyzes the data to identify and forecast trends in internet crime. The annual report helps the FBI develop effective relationships with industry partners and share information for investigative and intelligence purposes for law enforcement and public awareness. PSP, Shapiro honor fallen troopers Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined the Pennsylvania State Police to honor the sacrifice of all department members who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial service at Department Headquarters commemorated the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Our fallen troopers make the ultimate sacrifice for Pennsylvania — and it's important that we take days like today to gather and honor their life in service — and to reaffirm that we never, ever forget," Shapiro said. "The men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities. Policing is a noble profession, and we need to continue to have the backs of our police. That's why my Administration is working to make historic investments in our State Police. I am committed to ensuring our troopers and their families have the help and support they deserve all across our Commonwealth." "For 120 years, the women and men of Pennsylvania State Police have dedicated their lives to serving our Commonwealth," said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the PSP. "Today, we remember those who gave their lives. Our Memorial Wall bears witness to their unfaltering courage and unwavering integrity. May their legacies never fade, and may we forever strive to be worthy of their sacrifices." The service included a reading of the 104 names on the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall, a moment of silence, the PSP Ceremonial Unit and a rifle salute. The Pennsylvania State Police was created by legislation signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, becoming the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States. Starting with just 228 men, the department has grown to an authorized complement of 4,841 enlisted women and men supported by more than 1,850 civilian employees. It is the 10th-largest police agency in the United States. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania investing in 3 local projects to increase economic opportunity
MEADVILLE, Pa. (WKBN) – Mercer County is set to receive some state funding focused on restoring main streets and downtown areas. On Friday, the Shapiro administration announced it's investing $20 million into the Main Street Matters initiative. Three projects were chosen in Mercer County. The Mercer and Lawrence Counties Accessible Housing Program was awarded $150,000, $70,000 was awarded to Penn-Northwest and its Greenville Facade Improvement Program, and $30,000 went to help the Sharon City Small Business Improvement Microloan Program. Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Meadville on Friday, emphasizing the importance of this funding. 'We want to create real economic opportunity for Pennsylvania in every community, whether you live in Meadville or McKeesport, whether you're in Pittsburgh or Pottstown,' he said. 'We want every Pennsylvania community to be a place where businesses can grow and families can thrive.' The Shapiro-Davis administration is investing in 81 community projects. The 2025-26 budget proposal includes another $20 million for this initiative. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Davis visits Meadville, highlights downtown improvement grants
Main streets matter in Meadville and other communities across Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said during a stop in Meadville on Friday morning. 'While Pennsylvania's downtowns and main streets are often windows into our past, Gov. Shapiro and I believe they can be the engines for the future,' Davis said. Davis visited Meadville to highlight and tour downtown as more than $560,000 in state Main Street Matters grant funds were recently awarded to two Meadville projects. The grants are part of 81 community grants statewide announced on April 7. There are three for Crawford County — two in Meadville and one in Titusville. The city of Meadville was awarded $560,027 toward structural and roof repairs at the historic Market House. Meadville Community Revitalization Corp. was awarded a $16,875 planning grant for the feasibility of affordable residential housing on the upper floors of commercial buildings in the Chestnut Street business district. The Greater Titusville Development Foundation was awarded $60,500 for the downtown Titusville building facade improvement program. Investing in downtown areas is a smart investment, Davis said, citing statistics from the National Main Street Center. 'The National Main Street Center found that over a 5-year period, investing in a main street creates, on average, 19 businesses and 165 new jobs in a community,' Davis said. 'And for every dollar the Commonwealth invests in main streets, we get nearly an $8 dollar return on that investment. That's a good deal.' Pennsylvania's Main Street program has bipartisan support in Harrisburg. 'Good things happen when leaders take off their red jerseys and their blue jerseys put on the Pennsylvania jersey to move our communities forward,' Davis said. The Market House, which dates from 1870, is key to the city's downtown, according to city officials. 'For 155 years, this market house has been here as a symbol of togetherness and community,' Menanno said. 'We're so happy we're able to invest the money we need to make it stable for another 155 years.' Ashley Mattocks-Rose, chair of Meadville Market Authority, which oversees Market House, said it was exciting to get the roof project moving forward. The building is a symbol of the stories of the people of Meadville — and a core memory for all that spans generations, according to Mattocks-Rose. 'The Market House is for life living here in Meadville,' she said. 'It is the heart of our downtown.' The $560,027 state grant will pay for the bulk of the repairs to the building's roof structure and the installation of a new composite slate roof. The total project is estimated at $677,990 with the city to use around $118,000 from its capital project fund. For the past few years, Meadville has been working toward roof replacement. Repairs have been done and a 2023 architectural assessment determined the roof needed replacement within three to five years. However, a 2024 engineering assessment found the roof support system was in poor condition, which potentially could result in significant damage from an unbalanced snow load. The project is expected to be designed with work to be done this year, Menanno said. Meadville Community Revitalization Corp.'s feasibility study on affordable upper-story housing downtown is also expected to be done this year, Andy Walker, executive director of the new nonprofit group, said. The $16,875 planning grant will help fund a review of buildings on the north side of Chestnut Street between Park Avenue and Water Street. The study will explore issues and costs of converting upper-floor spaces to residential units, including building code requirements, floor levels and size, and accessibility options. 'This grant is more than just dollars — it's momentum,' Walker said. 'It's an opportunity to breathe new life into historic buildings and bring more people into the downtown. The $16,875 grant for the feasibility study will be matched with a similar amount from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Walker said.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Governor Davis gets first-hand look at Meadville area state investments
Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor is highlighting the administration's historic investments in northwest Pennsylvania. 'While Pennsylvania's main streets are often windows into our past, Governor Shapiro and I believe that they can be in engines for our future,' Lt. Governor Austin Davis said. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. tours Penn State Behrend, eyes new center For over a year, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, along with Governor Josh Shapiro, have been discussing a program to help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies. Friday, the administration highlighted their program that was proposed in the 2024/2025 budget. It's called 'Main Street Matters' and invests in 81 community projects across the Commonwealth; two grants have been awarded right here in Meadville. 'One for structural repairs and roof replacement at the Market House here where were standing today and a planning grant for the Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC) to look into potential for affordable housing in this historic downtown,' the Lt. Governor said. Gov. Shapiro thanks Erie first responders, seeks more funding for firefighters The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will be providing just over $560,000 for the Market House and about $16,800 for MCRC. The market house is the oldest continuously run open market structure in the state, reaching 155 years, which means it needs an extra boost to preserve the building. 'It's not just the building that we love, it's what the building represents and the building represents the people of our town, the stories of our town, our farmers, our artisans,' said Ashley Mattocks-Rose, chair of the market authority. The lieutenant governor's visit also included a tour of everything the Market House has to offer. Erie-Meadville air quality drops two letter grades Continuing his journey down Chestnut Street, Davis stopped by Tattered Corner Used Book Store, Hello Sunshine Children's Store and the Woolen Mill. 'I'm just so happy that we have a state and a state administration that is willing to share that vision with us. They are willing to do the things we need to keep a town like Meadville going,' Jaime Kinder, the mayor of Meadville, went on to say. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nearly $1M awarded for trail expansion in Jefferson, Clarion County
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A nearly $1,000,000 investment is being used to expand outdoor recreation on the Piney Rail Trail, which is located in Clarion and Jefferson County. Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Clarion County to celebrate the addition of the 24-mile Piney Rail Corridor for motorized and non-motorized recreation. In total, the $937,900 investment was funded by the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Management Restricted Account Fund. $800k awarded for historic building project in Philipsburg The Piney Rail Riders will use the funding to ensure the conservation and use of the trail. The extension spans approximately 550 acres and connects with more than a dozen others in Clarion and Jefferson counties. They also hope that the outdoor recreation will provide an economic boost to local businesses. 'This award to Piney Rail Riders by DCNR will significantly expand outdoor recreation opportunities not only for community members in our region but for all Pennsylvanians,' Bryan Huwar, Piney Rail Riders Project Manager said. 'It's an invitation for people, no matter where they live, to come and visit. At the same time, it will foster the development of a thriving, family-supporting outdoor economy for our rural communities.' The Piney Rail Corridor will be managed with a focus on environmental sustainability. They have partnered with local conservation groups to improve water quality and address runoff. They will also collaborate with the Millcreek Coalition to support efforts to restore the Piney Creek watershed, improving the health of local ecosystems and providing cleaner water for wildlife and recreational activities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
