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Appalachian Regional Commission announces $44.4M initiative for Pa. and other states

Over $13 million will support broadband development in the commonwealth and six other states

  • The Associated Press
  • Staff
FILE PHOTO: The small city of Hazard, Ky., nestled in the heart of the coal fields of Appalachia, is shown Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The city received a $1,500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to downtown development and project investments.

 David Stephenson / AP Photo

FILE PHOTO: The small city of Hazard, Ky., nestled in the heart of the coal fields of Appalachia, is shown Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The city received a $1,500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to downtown development and project investments.

(Louisville, Ky.) — The Appalachian Regional Commission has announced $44.4 million for 54 projects affecting coal-impacted communities in Appalachian states, including Pennsylvania.

The commission said Tuesday that the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative aims to create or retain over 5,700 jobs.

It said the initiative also seeks to leverage more than $39 million in private investment, create or retain 2,940 businesses and train thousands of workers and students.

More than $14.6 million will develop business incubators, increase access to capital and provide other services in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Midstate counties considered a part of Appalachia are Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder and Union.

Pennsylvania grant recipients include:

  • $2,500,000 to Tioga County for a broadband connectivity project in Tioga, Potter and Lycoming counties.
  • $1,500,000 to Venango County Economic Development Authority for a new business innovation center
  • $1,223,551 to Bridgeway Capital in Pittsburgh for the Western Pennsylvania Entrepreneur Diversification Fund
  • $725,850 to Clearfield County for the North Central PA Launchbox and Innovation Collaborative
  • $500,000 to Erie for expansion of free public WiFi in federally designated opportunity zones
  • $50,000 to Greene County Board of Commissioners for a rural broadband coverage and feasibility study
  • $50,000 to Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission in Altoona for a broadband infrastructure assessment
  • $50,000 to tecBRIDGE in Scranton for a business incubation project
  • $20,000 to Fay-Penn Economic Development Council in Lamont Furnace for a feasibility study on buildings to accommodate and attract businesses

Over $13 million will support broadband development in New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

And more than $8.3 million will focus on strategies to strengthen recovery in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.

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