COVID-19 Working Capital Loan program – UPDATED

Posted on April 6, 2020 in Business Assistance

COVID-19 Working Capital Loan program

UPDATE – Thank you very much for your interest in the PIDA CWCA Working Capital Loan Program. PIDA has informed SPC that their office has received 890 applications from across the Commonwealth, totaling $75.6 million in requested funds. As you may be aware, PIDA only had $61 million to disburse through the CWCA program. Therefore, PIDA is no longer accepting applications for the program at this time.

In the event that the program is reauthorized, and you have already submitted an application, SPC will continue to process your application at that time.

There are still funding options available through the federal government, and we have provided links to those programs below. We would encourage you to apply for federal funding through the appropriate agencies:

SBA Disaster Loan – https://disasterloan.sba.gov/

CARES Act Funding – Download
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2020 Census Day

Posted on April 1, 2020 in Data

Today is Census Day!

Now more than ever, it’s important to respond to the #2020Census and help shape the future of your community.

Respond online at  2020CENSUS.GOV

According to the U.S. Census Bureau: The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

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SBA EIDL/PPP/PIDA Webinars

Posted on March 30, 2020 in Business Assistance

SBA EIDL/PPP/PIDA Webinars

Below please find a series links to some helpful webinars that contain information on the various federal and state government programs designed to assist businesses navigating the COVID-19 outbreak.  These webinars are hosted by the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center, and will be streaming live on YouTube daily, during the week of March 30 through April 3, 2020, from 9 am to 10:15 am.

DATEPAGE URL
March 30             https://youtu.be/JOxhroL9l5M
March 31https://youtu.be/f-4QucbQrCQ
April 1             https://youtu.be/qOcTgO7tnJs
April 2             https://youtu.be/Hypsfwjq6rY
April 3             https://youtu.be/Oq7qdWfUW50

PASBDC YouTube Main Page

SPC Completes 3rd Cycle of Regional Traffic Signal Program

Posted on March 24, 2020 in Press Releases

SPC Completes 3rd Cycle of Regional Traffic Signal Program

Nearly $4 Million in Upgrades to 148 Intersections

Pittsburgh, PA- The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s (SPC) award-winning Regional Traffic Signal Program is committed to implementing projects with their federal, state, and local planning partners that demonstrate innovation, coordination, and measurable results. Since 2008, this program and its projects embody the implementation of safe and efficient traffic operations, providing outstanding cost-savings, environmental, and quality-of-life benefits to the communities and residents throughout the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania region. SPC, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), its planning partners, and local municipalities across the region, has completed its third cycle of projects under the Regional Traffic Signal Program.

Nationwide, these types of signal projects, on average, have yielded $20 to $40 of public benefit for every $1 invested—in part by making the most efficient use of the transportation infrastructure already in place.

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Final Draft TDM Action Plan Released

Posted on March 10, 2020 in Transportation

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has developed a regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Strategic Action Plan. TDM involves encouraging use of transit, ridesharing, bicycling, walking, telework; shifting travel times; or avoiding unnecessary trips. This planning initiative facilitates collaboration among:

  • The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
  • Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
  • Pennsylvania Division Office of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
  • Other TDM stakeholders in Southwestern Pennsylvania to create a regional transportation demand management planning framework
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SPC LTAP Training Dates Released

Posted on March 5, 2020 in LTAP

SPC’s Local Technical Assistance Program’s mission is to share transportation knowledge, improve road maintenance and safety skills, and put research and new technology into practice at the local level. This is accomplished through free training and technical assistance.

Trainings are offered either as half-day or full-day courses. Workshop topics include: Winter Maintenance, Roadside Vegetation, etc.  Customized workshops can be provided at the request of a municipality or a group of municipalities.

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Land-use webinar focused on Active Transportation

Posted on February 10, 2020 in Transportation

Last month, SPC Transportation Planner Leann Chaney presented “Planning for Active Transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania”.

The webinar provided an overview of SPC’s recently adopted active transportation plan and companion, web-based toolkit known as the Active Transportation Resource Center. The Active Transportation Resource Center is a central clearinghouse for the latest information on active transportation. Resources include information on programs that support biking and walking, potential funding opportunities, design guidelines, and more.

“Planning for Active Transportation in Southwestern Pennsylvania” was the first webinar in the Penn State Extension Winter/Spring 2020 Land-Use Webinar Series that runs through May. The series informs municipal elected and appointed officials, planners, landowners, farmers, and community organizations about land-use issues and decisions in their communities.

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SPC Seeks Input on Corridor Plan For Route 28

Posted on February 7, 2020 in Press Releases

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is announcing the launch of a new project website and online mapping survey aimed at providing project information and gathering the public’s input related to the Route 28 corridor from Kittanning to Interstate 80 (I-80). 

SPC, in partnership with the Northwest Pennsylvania Commission; North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission; Armstrong, Clarion and Jefferson Counties; and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District 10-0, initiated the study in December to identify potential improvements along the approximately 40 mile stretch of Route 28 located in Armstrong, Clarion and Jefferson Counties.

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SPC Elects New Regional Leadership

Posted on January 30, 2020 in Press Releases

Rich Fitzgerald, Tony Amadio and Leslie Osche
Elected Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer

Pittsburgh—The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) Board has elected Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as its new Chairman, Beaver County Commissioner Tony Amadio as Vice Chairman, and Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche as Secretary-Treasurer. The team will play integral roles in coordinating economic development and transportation infrastructure investment decisions in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“County Executive Fitzgerald, Commissioner Amadio and Commissioner Osche will be a strong team for the challenges ahead. SPC is the place to make real progress and this team knows the value of coming together at the regional table,” said Jim Hassinger, SPC Executive Director.

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SPC 2019 Annual Report Released

Posted on January 28, 2020 in Business Assistance, Data, Planning & Development, Transportation

The 2019 Annual Report encompasses SPC’s accomplishments throughout the year and provides insight into our many programs, departments, and services. Download a copy of the full report and be sure to watch the 2019 Annual Report highlight video on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and click the ‘bell’ icon to stay notified when new content is published!

As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Southwestern Pennsylvania, SPC, in collaboration with its member planning partners, will direct the use of billions in state and federal transportation funding through 2045. Adopted in June 2019, the long range plan – SmartMoves for a Changing Region – provides a robust policy framework that envisions a world-class, safe and well maintained, integrated transportation system that provides mobility for all, enables resilient communities and supports a globally competitive economy.

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