February 24, 2009

Message from Executive Director Bill Sturges
Governor Edward G. Rendell says up to 125,000 jobs could be created across Pennsylvania under the national economic stimulus agreement passed by Congress and signed by President Barak Obama on February 17. The Governor says the stimulus plan will also help provide relief for families facing hard times, while offering additional resources for education, health care and mass transit. On February 11, Vice President Joe Biden visited Pennsylvania to talk with the Governor about the important impact of the stimulus plan and see the types of infrastructure improvement projects that will be funded. Pennsylvania has proposed $443 million in repairs or renovations to 428 bridges, work that will create an estimated 13,000 jobs. The plan also calls for: $767 million in road resurfacing work on nearly 900 miles of state-managed highways, creating an estimated 23,000 jobs; $161 million in congestion improvements, creating an estimated 5,000 jobs; and $138 million in safety improvements, creating an estimated 4,000 jobs. For more information on the Governor’ proposed budget, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?#Top%20Stories

News from Around PA and the Nation

Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program Now Open
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced the opening of the new Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program, which provides a 25 percent match of up to $25,000 for equipment or processes that significantly improve energy efficiency. The program is the first available through the Alternative Energy Investment Fund. Grants will apply to energy efficiency improvements on systems such as lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration and process machinery, as well as building insulation and weatherization improvement projects. Eligible applicants are independent, for-profit businesses with 100 employees or fewer located in Pennsylvania. The project must save at least 20 percent annually in energy-related expenses, with a minimum savings of $1,000 per year. Examples of eligible small businesses include manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural operations. The grant application and guidelines are available online at www.depweb.state.pa.us keyword: Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant.

Unemployed Now Eligible for Up To 33 Weeks of Federal Benefits
Unemployed workers in Pennsylvania who exhausted state unemployment compensation benefits were eligible for up to 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation (EUC). Now, they may claim up to a total of 33 weeks of EUC. Pennsylvania has distributed more than $576 million in federal unemployment benefits. These additional 13 weeks were not previously available to Pennsylvanians because the state’s unemployment rate was below the required level. At least 22 states previously qualified for these benefits. Eligible claimants will receive information and filing instructions about their emergency benefits via mail. If claimants have not received a notice, and believe they are eligible, they should contact the unemployment compensation service center. Additional information is available online at www.dli.state.pa.us

Older Adults Encouraged to Apply for 2008 Property Tax/Rent Rebate
Eligible senior citizens and residents with disabilities are encouraged to apply for Property Tax/Rent Rebates of up to $975. Application forms were mailed to more than 708,000 residents who received a rebate last year or may qualify for a rebate in 2009. All residents who received rebates last year should receive new application forms in the mail by mid-February. Seniors must reapply for rebates by June 30 every year because the rebates are based on property taxes or rent paid each year and annual income. So far, more than $272 million in property tax and rent rebates have been sent to more than 571,000 homeowners and renters across the state, and the Revenue Department continues to process applications that came in close to the deadline.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The program expansion in 2006 increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum standard rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650. The program expansion also provided for supplemental property tax rebates of up to $325 – on top of the standard rebates – to homeowners in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton and to those in other parts of the state who pay more than 15 percent of income on property taxes. Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com and by calling 1-888-222-9190. Forms and assistance also are available at Department of Revenue district offices (listed in the government section of local telephone directories), local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices. The deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2008 is June 30. Rebates will be distributed beginning on July 1, as specified by law.

State Museum Invites Pennsylvania Artists to Participate in ‘Art of the State’ Exhibit
Artists throughout the state are encouraged to apply for an opportunity to showcase their work in Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2009, a juried art exhibition that is open to state residents and will run from June 28 to Sept. 20 at The State Museum in Harrisburg. Barbara Franco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which oversees The State Museum, says the 42nd annual Art of the State exhibit will provide a showcase for artists across the state and allow visitors of The State Museum to view the work of many talented artists. Artists can compete in five categories: painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture and craft. For the first time, submissions will be done by digital images. Applications are available at www.statemuseumpa.org and by calling the museum at (717) 783-9904 or the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council at (717) 238-5180. The application deadline is March 1. For more information about the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us

Department of Ag Offers Courses on Managing the Threat of Agro-terrorism
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering three courses designed to help Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry, emergency responders and public health officials better manage the threat of agro-terrorism. The courses will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 3-5 in room 309 of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture building, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.
The dates and titles of the courses are: 
        • Tuesday, March 3 - Principles of National Incident Management System and Risk Communication 
        • Wednesday, March 4 - Principles of Frontline Response to Agro-terrorism and Food Systems’ Disasters 
        • Thursday, March 5 - Principles of Planning and Implementing Recovery
The U.S. Office of Homeland Security and the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at the University of California, Davis, is also providing the training. Space for the training sessions is limited and reservations are required. Lunch will be provided. To register online, or for more information, visit www.wifss.ucdavis.edu and click on “Agro-terrorism/Food Systems Training” and then “Classes by Date.” Select “Flyer” next to each of the Pennsylvania classes for more information, or “Register” to register for the courses.

High School Students Encouraged to Enter ‘Drive Safe PA’ Radio Contest
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding high school students that they have until Feb. 28 to enter the “Drive Safe PA” radio contest. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to create a 30-second radio public service announcement (PSA) focused on aggressive driving, buckling up or driving under the influence. The PSA must include the phrase “Drive Safe PA,” which PennDOT is introducing as part of its continued commitment to highway safety. One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. The winning students will be offered the opportunity to travel to Harrisburg to have the PSA professionally recorded and then distributed to radio stations in their respective areas. Winning students from each PennDOT district will receive certificates and copies of the finished PSA. Students can submit a completed audio PSA or written script that can be sent via e-mail to RA-penndotpress@state.pa.us or mailed to PennDOT Press Office, c/o Alison Wenger, 8th Floor-Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17120. Entries must be received or postmarked by Feb. 28. For complete contest rules, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on Drive Safe PA.

Penn State Offers Web Series on Natural Gas Exploration Issues
To address the opportunities and challenges of exploring for natural gas in the Marcellus shale in much of Pennsylvania, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Cooperative Extension will offer a six-part series of online seminars starting in February and running through May 2009. For seminar dates and more information, visit http://naturalgas.extension.psu.edu/Events.htm or contact Joann Kowalski at (570) 278-1158. To learn how Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration, and the development of this resource, may affect land use and our communities for the next 100 years, visit www.naturalgas.psu.edu and http://wpsu.org/gasrush/

Social Security Announces New Online Retirement Application
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced its new online retirement application. For more information and to apply, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ and click on “Applying Online for Retirement Benefits.” To see a demonstration of the online retirement application, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/about.htm

USDA Announces Availability of Economic Impact Initiative Grants
Targeted communities that are experiencing a high rate of residents unable to find employment may apply for Economic Impact Initiative (EII) grant funds made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The funds may be used for a variety of community facility needs including road maintenance equipment, police vehicles, computer and communication equipment, energy efficiency improvements and municipal buildings. The maximum grant is $100,000. Last year, three communities received grants: Slippery Rock Borough (Butler County), Shippensburg Township (Cumberland County) and McNett Township (Lycoming County). McNett Township, for example, received a $100,000 EII grant and was awarded a Community Facility direct loan for $33,500 for building renovations that included insulation in the township's garage/shop, additional office space, and a handicapped accessible restroom. The township also purchased a used truck and snowplow. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor provided data to assist USDA Rural Development in determining the 36 communities that are eligible. They are: Boroughs - Applewold, Coaldale, Shoemakersville, Troy, Slippery Rock, West Sunbury, Loretto, Lumber City, New Washington, Centralia, Ohiopyle, Shade Gap, Glen Campbell, Bryn Athyn, Collegeville, Schwenksville, Ursina, Polk, California, Dunlevy and Bolivar; Townships – Maxatawny, Woodward, Shippensburg, Millstone, Howe, Jenks, Kingsley, Smithfield, McNett, Lafayette, Abbott, Mahanoy, Fairhope, Colley, and Gregg. For more information, visit Rural Development's website at www.rurdev.usda.gov to locate a nearby office.

Foundation Accepting Grant Applications for Domestic Violence Shelter Program
The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, with support from Mary Kay Inc., is accepting applications for the 2009 Domestic Violence Shelter Program and will award a grant to at least one shelter in every state of the U.S. Any remaining funds will be distributed based on state population. The funds awarded by the foundation may be used for the operating budget of the shelter, with the exception of staff travel. The application deadline is July 30, 2009. For the grant application and more information, visit http://www.mkacf.org/

Do Something Offers Grants for Community Action Projects
Over the course of 2009, Do Something will award 52 grants of $500 each to help young people implement or expand a community action project, program, or organization. To be eligible, applicants must be no older than 25 and a U.S. or Canadian citizen. Do Something grants cannot be used to fund travel costs, individual sponsorships, shipping costs, individual school fees, or fundraising expenses. Do Something grant applications are accepted on a weekly, rolling basis. For more information, visit http://www.dosomething.org/

Conferences and Events

March 20 – 22
Lehigh Valley Green Building Expo, sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum at the Lehigh University Mountaintop Campus, Iacocca Hall, Bethlehem, PA. For more information, visit ttp://www.lvgreenbuilders.org/expo/

March 22 – 25
Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs 98th Annual Conference at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA. For more information call (717) 236-9526 or visit http://www.boroughs.org

March 31 – April 3
Pennsylvania Rural Water Association Annual Conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, PA. For more information, call (800) 653-7792 or visit http://www.prwa.org

April 3 – 4
Fueling the School: Pennsylvania’s First Intercollegiate Biodiesel Conference, sponsored by Dickinson College at the Holland Union Building (HUB) and the Rector Science Complex, Carlisle, PA. For more information, visit http://www.dickinson.edu/departments/sustainability/conferences.html

April 19 – 22
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors 87th Annual Educational Conference and Trade Show at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA. For more information, call (717) 763-0930 or visit http://www.psats.org

April 26 – 28
1st Statewide Environmental Justice Conference: Building Healthy and Improved Communities for All at the Sheraton Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey. For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us/environadvocate/cwp/view.asp?a=1538&q=542615

June 17 – 19
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s 2009 Housing Services Conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, PA. For more information, visit www.phfa.org