2020 was a challenging year for everyone, and SPC was no exception. But still, In the midst of collective uncertainly, bright spots surfaced. This short video showcases the both the obstacles we faced and the successes that SPC delivered in transportation planning, economic development and small business assistance, GIS, communications and finance. From assisting several small businesses with crucial grants and loans, to developing the TIP virtually, and helping our partners move forward, we delivered.
Please share your views with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Pennsylvania Division and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region III at a public presentation to discuss the transportation planning process in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The public meeting will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Joint Transportation Technical Committee/Transit Operators Meeting.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is the official Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the ten-county region which includes the City of Pittsburgh and the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland. For more information, please visit: https://www.spcregion.org/get-involved/.
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As of Monday June 28th, the 2021 SPC Transportation Alternatives Funding Program is open to qualified applicants. The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility; environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; and, safe routes to school projects. The SPC region receives a yearly sub-allocation of approximately $1.8 million to award to eligible projects.
Prospective project sponsors should submit a short pre-application by August 16, 2021. The full application will be due on October 15, 2021. The SPC TA program pre-application, application, and program guidance (which includes submission instructions) is available on the SPC website at https://www.spcregion.org/funding-programs/ . The site also includes a link to the concurrent but separate PennDOT administered statewide TA program. Any questions can be directed to Lillian Gabreski at lgabreski@spcregion.org.
On Friday June 4th at 9am SPC will host the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee for a public hearing on reforms and investments to advance transportation innovations in Pennsylvania. In person attendance limited to media only but all others can attend virtually:
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?CteeBody=S&Code=19
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission during their April 26th board meeting unanimously approved the Draft 2021 Public Participation Plan which is an update to the 2015 Public Participation Plan. The approved 2021 Public Participation Plan provides an outline of the tools and techniques we use to inform and engage the public throughout our transportation planning and programming processes.
Follow the link below to view the update plan:
DCED’s Multimodal Transportation Fund application period is open and projects may be submitted up until July 31, 2021. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.
For more information visit: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/multimodal-transportation-fund
The U.S. Census Bureau has released the latest county-level population data. These population estimates, plus the components of population change, are updated annually for all U.S. counties.
Our Data Team has created a helpful infographic with this data, highlighting the 2019-2020 change in total population, plus natural increase and net migration, for the US, Pennsylvania, and member counties in the SPC region.
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The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), is requesting Technical Proposals for the Development of a Connectivity Roadmap for Southwestern Pennsylvania. SPC is requesting that responding firms or teams also submit a Statement of Qualifications for Southwestern Pennsylvania Connectivity Roadmap Support Services. The intent is to award one contract to a qualified firm or team of firms for completion of the combined Scope of Work.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is hosting an on-demand virtual public meeting and comment period for a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study exploring sustainable transportation funding options. The public meeting is accessible online at all hours of the day through June 1, 2021, at www.penndot.gov/funding. The PEL study, in support of the PennDOT Pathways program, is being conducted to identify near- and long-term alternative funding solutions and establish a methodology for their evaluation.
In February, PennDOT announced candidate bridge projects being considered as a part of the Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership (P3) Initiative. This initiative, the first of the PennDOT Pathways Program, was formed in response to one of the early findings of the PEL study – that tolling of major bridges in need of replacement or rehabilitation is a potentially viable near-term funding solution. The draft PEL study report is currently available for review and comment and identifies additional medium- to long-term funding alternatives that could be considered for implementation.
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Greene County commissioners recently said funding for 25 different local businesses has been approved through two separate initiatives geared to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Commissioner Mike Belding said Monday the businesses applied earlier this year for the Forgivable Advance for Small Business Assistance (FASBA) program or the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP).
“FASBA and CHIRP are programs for small businesses to recover some COVID-related financial impacts,” Belding said.
Commissioners also announced nine area businesses were awarded grant funding through CHIRP, with seven of the businesses receiving $50,000 and two receiving $5,000.
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