Latest news with #PADepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill aims to bring Hollywood to Pennsylvania with bigger tax credit: ‘Economic benefits'
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — A soon-to-be introduced bill in Pennsylvania would increase film tax credits in hopes of bringing more filming — and economic boosts — to the Commonwealth. Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery County) plans to introduce legislation that will raise the tax cap for filming from $100 million to $125 million. 'The countless economic benefits of film production have heightened competition among states looking to attract filmmaking,' Ciresi penned in a memorandum. 'Because the state's current tax credit level is capped at $100 million, projects are turned away each year due to lack of funding. An untold number of film products – even projects that are set in Pennsylvania but filmed elsewhere – are lost to other states that are enjoying the economic advantages of this industry.' The PA Department of Community and Economic Development told Ciresi that since the inception of PA's film production tax credit in 2007 through the end of fiscal year 2023-24, 592 projects were approved for tax credits — injecting over $4 billion into the state's economy. Peeps vs. Hershey Kiss: What should be the next Pennsylvania candy While many movies have been filmed in Pennsylvania, including most of M. Night Shyamalan's films, others take place in Pennsylvania but were filmed in other states due to the budget, Ciresi added. Most notably, Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, which takes place in Punxsutawney, was mostly filmed in Illinois, including the outdoor scenes around town.'An untold number of film products – even projects that are set in Pennsylvania but filmed elsewhere – are lost to other states that are enjoying the economic advantages of this industry,' Ciresi wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shapiro Administration highlights importance of workforce development
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – The Shapiro Administration was in Adams County on Friday to highlight the need for additional funding to boost skilled workers and close workforce gaps across Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-2026 budget proposal includes $12.5 million for the WEDnetPA program. It was created by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development 26 years ago. The current funding is $8 million. The Shapiro Administration says the demand is at least double which is why they are asking for more in this budget proposal. Raystown campgrounds close due to staffing shortages 'While this year will support almost 500 businesses with important WEDNET programing, there are currently 250 applications outstanding requesting additional funds,' said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. The program provides funding to qualified employers like Rice Fruit Company in Adams County to train new and existing employees. The company received a WEDnetPA grant of up to $30,000. 'We're going to take meaningful steps towards empowering our workforce to develop skills in areas that have been long goals,' said Rice Fruit Company President Ben Rice. The Rice family has been growing apples since the late 1700's. Ben Rice says he will also take part in training; he's excited to take a statistics class. 'That will bring technical knowledge to an area of our work that we hope will give us the skills to harness the data technology and the data tools that are coming out that are very exciting,' said Rice. Often, government officials don't get the chance to see for themselves what programs like this one does for the company and its employees. 'You think of an apple company as sort of low tech, right? You're taking apple off a tree or putting in a box. It could not be further from the truth. They're incredible technology applications here, robotic applications. The people that are working with all this equipment need to have great training that takes that apple from the tree to your kitchen table in great shape with great taste,' said Siger. Since WEDnetPA started, its provided training to more than 1.3 million employees at more than 23,000 companies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$45K awarded to Central Pennsylvania artists, creative entrepreneurs
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded a total of $45,000 in grant funding to working artists and creative entrepreneurs. The funding was delivered to those whose businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The PA Arts and Recory Grant for Working Artists provided a $3,000 grant opportunity for 15 artists and entrepreneurs who experienced a significant pandemic-related disruption to their income. 'We are thrilled to be a part of this opportunity that the DCED is providing for our local artists and creative entrepreneurs,' said CFA Program Officer Emily Wood. 'We are always appreciative of efforts that build up the artists and small business owners within our region, especially those who were affected by the pandemic.' The following artists and entrepreneurs were awarded a grant: Allegory Gallery – William Jones BlindCoyote – Stephen Scott BridgePerspective LLC – Serena Bridges Bright Spot Productions – Alan Silva Coltt Winter Lepley Innovative Tomato, LLC – Angela Law Ironwood ARTifacts – Joseph Hensel Kim Williams Fine Art – Kim Williams Off Pitt Street Productions – Dawn Ziviello S. Scott Steberger / Fine Art Windscape Artventures LLC – Marcene Glover YogaSong – Rachel Allen A second round of grants will be administered later this year, with the application reopening on April 1 and being available through June 1. The opportunity is open to residents of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset or Westmorland counties who are active or creative entrepreneurs who have made a majority of theory income from their work in 2019. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
