DECEMBER 15, 2008

Message from Executive Director Bill Sturges

The Department of Agriculture (PDA) recently broke ground on a new laboratory next to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Lab in Harrisburg. The lab is a bio-safety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility that will allow for potentially dangerous animal health emergencies to be detected and diagnosed early.  It supports Governor Rendell’s efforts to protect our human food supply and reduce risk to public health. The Pennsylvania Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission, guided by PDA's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, has designed a statewide system that includes this new lab, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Lab, and labs at Penn State and the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff also recognized the commission's 20th year in providing leadership in keeping all Pennsylvanians safe from outbreaks, as well as helping protect the state's economy and agricultural producers. For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us

News from Around PA and the Nation

Governor Rendell Says Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Could Immediately Help 54,000 Pennsylvanians
Governor Edward G. Rendell said more than 54,000 out-of-work Pennsylvanians, who have exhausted their 13 weeks of federally funded emergency unemployment compensation, may now be eligible for seven additional weeks of benefits. Through federal legislation enacted Nov. 21, unemployed Pennsylvanians, who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits, can now apply for up to 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation. The average emergency unemployment benefit is $313 per week. So far this year, Pennsylvanians have received nearly $370 million in emergency unemployment benefits. Pennsylvania’s relative economic good health – a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate below 6 percent – disqualified the commonwealth from receiving an additional 13 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation funding through the new legislation signed by the President. In his role as chairman of the National Governors Association, Governor Rendell called on Congress to pass an economic recovery package that provides additional funding to states for Medicaid and investments in our nation’s infrastructure, along with other measures, including extending unemployment benefits. Potentially eligible claimants are being contacted by the Department of Labor and Industry via mail, with information and instructions on filing for the emergency unemployment compensation. If claimants have not received a notice, and believe they are eligible, they can call the unemployment compensation service center. Additional information is also available online at www.dli.state.pa.us

Best 50 Women in Business Nominations Due Jan. 29
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is accepting nominations for Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business. The award program is in its 14th year and is coordinated by DCED in cooperation with five Pennsylvania business journals. A panel of judges will select the “Best 50” based on professional accomplishments, community involvement and advocacy for women in business. The contest is not open to women serving in elected positions, non-profits, the judicial branch or as political appointees. Previous “Best 50” winners or those who have judged applicants and their immediate families also may not apply. This year, for the first time, nominations will be accepted online at www.newpa.com, Keyword: Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance. Guidelines are also available on the Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance’s Web site. Nominations may also be mailed to DCED’s Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance, 4th Floor, Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120.  The deadline for all entries is 5 p.m. on Jan. 29. No faxed entries will be accepted. This year’s honorees will be recognized at an awards reception at the Harrisburg Hilton on May 11. Winners will be profiled in special supplements of the Central Penn Business Journal, Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal, Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal, Pittsburgh Business Times, and Pennsylvania Business Central. For more information on programs available through DCED, visit www.newpa.com or call toll-free (866) 466-3972.

Benefits Available to Persian Gulf Combat Veterans
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is accepting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Benefit Program. Any individual who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve component, or the Pennsylvania National Guard in the Persian Gulf Conflict during the period from August 2, 1990, through August 31, 1991, may be eligible. Eligible veterans qualify for payment of $75 per month (maximum of $525) for each month of active service in theater. A benefit of $5,000 may be awarded to a prisoner of war or certain family members of a veteran who died in active service or as a result of service-connected injury or disease. The deadline for applying for this benefit is August 31, 2015. Details of the program are available on the DMVA Web site at www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us or by calling toll-free (866) 458-9182 (TTY 1-866-835-8983 for the hearing impaired.)

TV Converter Box Coupon Program 
The impending digital conversion issue mandated by the FCC on February 17, 2009 is an important issue for rural residents who rely on over-the-air television.  The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched the TV Conversion Box Coupon, as authorized in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.  All US households are eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes.  For more information, contact http://www.dtv2009.gov/, www.wqln.org/DTV2009 or www.pptn.state.pa.us

DCNR Grant Workshop Registration Now Available Online
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is now accepting online registrations for the 2009 Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) Grant Workshops. Registrants may now use the new DCNR e-Calendar by visiting and selecting “Workshops - Grants” to view the entire list of grant workshops scheduled for 2009 and register.
For more information about the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Deadline is Dec. 31
The deadline for the state’s expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is December 31, 2008. To see if you qualify for rebates of up to $650 on rent or property taxes paid in 2007, visit www.papropertytaxrelief.com or call the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue toll-free (888) 222-9190.

LISC Offers Online Guide to Building ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes
The Green Development Center (GDC) at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), in partnership with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, has developed an online guide to building ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes. The website was designed to assist local LISC offices and the public in building projects that can be certified as ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes. Visit http://www.lisc.org/gdc/energy_star/ for more information.

Food Stamp Program is Now SNAP                                  
As of October 1. 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. The new name reflects a focus on nutrition and healthy foods being available to low income households. Changes have been made to make the program more accessible. For more information, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP/
 
Rural Brief from Center for Rural Affairs
The Center for Rural Affairs' most recent Rural Brief offers an analysis of rural development spending and programs in the 2008 Farm Bill. Visit http://files.cfra.org/pdf/2008-Farm-Bill-Leaving-Rural-Development-Behind.pdf for a copy.
 
USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Applications Due Dec. 31
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for Solid Waste Management Grants. Proposals are due Dec. 31, 2008.  $3.4 million is available from this annual program to fund approximately 35 local units of government, academic institutions and non-profits who propose to, among other work, provide technical assistance and/or training to help rural areas reduce their solid waste stream. Grants are restricted to areas not in a city or town with a population in excess of 10,000. For an application, visit http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/SWMG.htm

U.S. Dept. of Labor Announces Availability of YouthBuild Grants                                               
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has announced the availability of approximately $47 million in grant funds for YouthBuild Grants. Grant funds will be used to provide disadvantaged youth with: the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities. As part of their programming, YouthBuild grantees will tap the energies and talents of disadvantaged youth to increase the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and low-income families and to help youth develop the leadership, learning, and high-demand occupational skills needed to succeed in today's global economy.  For more information, call Donna Kelly at (202) 693-3934 or visit http://www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm

USDA Rural Development Invested Over $373.4 Million in Pennsylvania in FY '08
Rural residents and rural communities benefited from the multi-million dollar investments made in Pennsylvania by USDA Rural Development's business, community and housing-programs in FY '08. Business & Industry Guaranteed loans for more than $22.7 million were made and more than $3.7 million was invested in Specialty Lending. The Business Programs of opportunities to eligible rural residents and businesses for business development and job creation and retention.

Community Programs offer opportunities to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.  Over $12 million in Communitiy Facilities direct loans as well as $4.1 million in guaranteed loans and $652,000 in Community Facilities grants were obligated.  The Water and Wastewater program obligated over $55.1 million in loans along with $13.8 million in grants to needed water and sewer projects.  Other examples include the Electric Program that provided a loan for $17 million for new electric lines and system improvements, and the Telecommunication/Broadband Program with $33.4 million in new and improved telecommunications services to rural residents and businesses.  The Housing Program invested more than $206.7 million--part of which was a record 1,350 guaranteed single family loans totalling over $155 million.  For more information on Rural Development programs, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa website. 

Conferences and Events

January 10 – 17
2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg, PA. This 2009 theme – Keeping Pennsylvania Growing – sets the stage for sharing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for all Pennsylvanians. For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us/farmshow/site/default.asp

February 5 – 7
Farming for the Future Conference, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, PA. For more information, call (814) 349-9856 or visit www.pasafarming.org