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HARRISBURG, June 30 – A bill that would provide Pennsylvania boroughs and municipalities of all sizes a critical planning tool is on the way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk after it passed the state Senate today, according to the bill’s author, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer. Longietti said his H.B. 1860 would eliminate an unfair obstacle facing smaller boroughs and other municipalities: Under existing law, cities of any size are able to create redevelopment authorities, while boroughs and other municipalities must have a population of 10,000 or more to do so. “Redevelopment authorities are true vehicles for progress,” Longietti said. “Because they are empowered to acquire blighted, abandoned properties and authorize revitalization projects, these planning boards can power major, positive changes to a community’s landscape that pave the way for investment, new businesses and affordable housing. “The existing size restriction that prevents many boroughs and municipalities from creating redevelopment authorities has no logical basis and only serves to curtail growth in these communities. I was encouraged when the House passed my bill earlier this year, and I am even more so now that the Senate has done the same. “With the bill now awaiting the governor’s signature, we are finally on the verge of getting boroughs and municipalities access to this incredibly important Read more
HERMITAGE, June 26 – A mini grant to the Buhl Park Corp. will create opportunities for Mercer County residents to learn more about stormwater management and water conservation, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection will fund the project titled, “DIY Water Conservation: Educational Programs and Public Workshops” -- two hands-on workshops addressing stormwater management, non-point source pollution and the benefits of backyard water conservation. “Mercer County residents have always shown a keen interest in practical, hands-on ways to benefit the community, and the workshops funded by this grant are going to provide that kind of information when it comes to local environmental issues,” Longietti said. “Residents will be able to learn more about the challenges posed by stormwater management and non-point source pollution and about how their own efforts at backyard water collection and conservation can help.” Longietti said one goal of the project is to increase the number of commercial and residential gardens and flower plantings by providing rain barrels in practical locations. The grant is part of a package of $434,168 in Environmental Education Grants to 55 projects that will engage youths and adults in environmental justice, climate change, and/or water quality improvement, expanding Read more
HERMITAGE, June 23 – Mercer County will receive more than $150,400 in federal funding to help residents combat homelessness, an imminent threat of homelessness, or the immediate need to secure safer surroundings, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced. Longietti said that in addition to a grant totaling $150,438, Mercer County will share in more than $1.72 million in funding being distributed to 20 counties throughout the central and western portions of the state. “Clean, safe housing is a precursor to all other life successes,” Longietti said. “It enables parents to protect and nurture their children, workers to rest and regenerate for a new workday and older, more vulnerable residents a place to live with dignity. “Although the threat of homelessness is not new, the pandemic and related business shutdowns that have slowed our local economy have left more residents than ever feeling the burden – or threat – of losing a home. This funding will work to restore their hope.” The funding – administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development – is provided through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program and is part of a package of nearly $5.5 million that will fund rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, and emergency shelter, among other resources. Priority for funding is given to applicants representing areas of the commonwealth Read more
HERMITAGE, June 22 – State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, is encouraging area dairy farmers who have suffered financial losses because of COVID-19 to apply for relief under a new program that can help offset some of those losses. The Dairy Indemnity Program – funded through the federal CARES Act and administered by the state Department of Agriculture – will distribute $15 million in funding to dairy farmers who have suffered financial losses as a result of discarded or displaced milk during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Like other businesses, our dairy farms have been hit hard by COVID-19,” Longietti said. “But our resilient farmers have been facing tough challenges based on market conditions long before the pandemic. This recent disaster merely added insult to injury by shuttering major customers like businesses and schools. “While the new program won’t solve some of the more long-term issues facing our dairy farmers, it will at least help to offset immediate losses to this important industry, which supplies a vital product and contributes billions annually to Pennsylvania’s economy. I’m urging all dairy farmers to determine whether they are eligible and, if so, to apply.” Longietti said that any dairy farm that experienced financial losses due to discarded or displaced milk during the COVID-19 emergency disaster may apply for assistance. E ach farm with a documented loss Read more
HERMITAGE, June 16 – With small businesses poised to receive millions in federal coronavirus funding, state Rep. Mark Longietti is advising local business owners about a simple step they can take now to be prepared once the funding becomes available. Longietti, D-Mercer, said applications for the Statewide Small Business Assistance Program – designed to benefit small businesses with up to 25 full-time equivalent employees – are expected to be available by the end of this month, but businesses can sign up now to be alerted when that happens by visiting www.bridgewaycapital.org and completing the online contact form. “This program will benefit our smallest mom-and-pop businesses by providing grants of up to $50,000 to cover COVID-19-related expenses,” Longietti said. “Businesses can use the funding in a variety of ways, from paying rent and utility bills they accrued while closed, to acquiring safety-related items and equipment such as Plexiglas barriers and personal protective equipment. “Timing is critical, however. As our community business owners already know, it’s crucial to stay on top of developments and be prepared to act quickly once applications become available. I’m urging all eligible businesses to sign up now so they can be alerted as soon as that happens.” Longietti said funding for Mercer County businesses will be administered Read more
HERMITAGE, June 10 – Local law enforcement in Mercer County will have access to up to $86,844 in federal funding for COVID-19 prevention, response and preparedness, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the funding will help the many frontline workers in the criminal justice system keep the system running while remaining safe. “Our criminal justice system doesn’t stop because there is a pandemic going on. Our police are out there on the front lines – along with correctional, probation, and parole officers; case workers; court workers; victim service providers and so many others. This funding will help ensure they receive the resources they need – including training, personal protective equipment, supplies, overtime pay and any other resources – to continue their essential work while minimizing the infection risk to themselves and the community.” Longietti said the funding – administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency – comes from federal Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding. Of $850 million in CESF funding designated for state and local law enforcement assistance nationwide, PCCD was eligible to apply for a state share of approximately $17.6 million. Of that amount, PCCD said $8 million in CESF dollars is being made available now, based on an “unprecedented need to immediately address” Read more
HARRISBURG, May 29 – Mercer County will be moving to the “green” phase of the state’s reopen plan on June 5, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the news is especially welcome to residents and small business owners, who were forced to remain under yellow phase restrictions because of a brief spike in cases even as surrounding counties moved to green. “I’m pleased that the governor heard my message,” said Longietti, who recently drafted a letter to the administration that was co-signed by fellow lawmakers and officials. “Our small businesses are ready to reopen, and our residents are ready to go out and support them. It’s time to reignite our local economy. “We are resourceful, smart and resilient, and Mercer County will emerge from this period with momentum and strength to meet the future.” Longietti noted that the green phase of the state’s reopen plan allows remaining businesses – including restaurants, bars, barbershops, hair salons, gyms, casinos, theaters and shopping malls – to reopen at 50% capacity. Barbershops and salons may operate by appointment only, while appointments are strongly recommended for gyms and spas. Organized sports such as youth activities may resume with social distancing, while gatherings of up to 250 people are allowed with social distancing and Read more
HERMITAGE, May 27 – State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, is reopening his offices for appointments beginning June 3 and is encouraging residents to call now to schedule a time. Longietti said both his district office in Hermitage – open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday – and his satellite office in Greenville – open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays – will be taking appointments. “Since the pandemic forced us to close temporarily to foot traffic, my staff and I have been serving residents over the phone and online, but we are looking forward to resuming in-person services so we can help residents with hands-on projects such as filing property tax and rent rebate applications and other forms. I’m encouraging residents to call now to begin setting up appointments.” Longietti said both offices are putting procedures in place to reopen safely. “We have installed plexiglass barriers, and we will be limiting the number of residents in the district office waiting room to two, in addition to the person being served at the counter. Appointments at the Greenville office will be spaced out to prevent residents from having to wait. We are also encouraging residents to wear masks. As long as the virus is a threat, the safety of our residents and staff remains priority No. 1.” Residents can reach the district office at (724) Read more
HARRISBURG, May 26 – State Rep. Mark Longietti is calling on Gov. Tom Wolf to add Mercer to the list of counties moving to the “green” phase of the state’s reopen plan on May 29. In a letter co-signed by several other Mercer County lawmakers, Longietti urged Wolf to amend his May 22 order, which authorized 17 western Pennsylvania counties to move to the green phase but excluded Mercer County. “Mercer County residents have been patient,” Longietti said. “We have followed safety protocol and flattened the curve, and the data supports that. Now, we’re ready and waiting to reopen. Our small businesses are ready. Our residents are ready. Our entire community is ready and able to open in a safe, responsible manner so that we can recharge our local economy. “Continuing the restrictions on Mercer County is senseless; our metrics are in line with the criteria to move and with data from many surrounding counties. And if Mercer County remains in the yellow, our residents will only start crossing county lines, taking business away from our own local mom and pop stores. “Our message to the governor is clear: It’s Mercer County’s turn to open. We are ready and waiting. And it’s time for the governor to go ahead and make that happen.” Read more
HARRISBURG, May 20 – Federal funding of $253,900 under the CARES Act will help Mercer County child care providers safely reopen their doors, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the funding will help ensure providers have the resources they need for adequate sanitization and other important safety procedures. “Like other businesses forced to shut their doors, child care providers have struggled with the economic impact of the pandemic,” Longietti said. “The fact that they are able to begin reopening is great news for the many families who rely on their services. “But resuming operations isn’t as simple as reopening doors and rehiring staff. New health risks offer special challenges for businesses – particularly those responsible for our children’s health. The funding awarded is going to help ensure that when child care centers open their doors, kids will be returning to a sanitary environment with procedures in place to ensure they remain safe.” The funding is part of an initial $51 million round of funding that will go to nearly 7,000 child care centers statewide preparing to reopen In all, Pennsylvania will receive a total of $106 million in funding to support child care providers. The second round of funding will be allocated after completion of a study assessing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Read more
HERMITAGE, May 8 – Nearly $3.23 million designated for seven Mercer County school districts located in the 7th Legislative District will ensure area students continue learning during the pandemic, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the districts can apply to receive the funding as soon as the U.S Department of Education approves the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s application – expected to happen in about one week, according to the administration. “We don’t know what shape education will take in the months ahead, but we do know that our students need to continue learning and thriving – and that our dedicated teachers and support staff stand ready to make that happen,” Longietti said. “The funding set aside for our school districts is going to ease the extreme financial burdens they are facing because of the pandemic, allow them to continue providing high-quality education to our students and ensure that students have resources and supports they need to keep learning – regardless of household income. “I’m encouraging our school districts to apply as soon as the U.S. Department of Education approves the funding and our state Department of Education makes those applications available.” Longietti said districts will be able to apply for the following amounts: Farrell Area School District – $547,497 Read more
HARRISBURG, May 5 – State Rep. Mark Longietti voted Monday for legislation that would require the state to develop and implement a plan for COVID-19 testing, calling the measure a critical step in protecting Pennsylvanians as the economy reopens. Longietti joined an overwhelming House majority to pass H.B. 2455 , which would require the state to first develop and then fund a comprehensive testing plan. Funding would include resources for development and manufacturing of testing equipment and supplies, contact tracing and other measures. Health care and other essential workers would be given testing priority once the plan was activated. “We can do our best to implement safety protocols, but without being able to identify who is or is not at risk of infection, we are left to guess – and that approach will leave our residents open to greater danger as the state reopens and the exposure risk grows,” Longietti said. “One of the most important ways we can protect our community is by making widespread testing available so we can determine who is at risk and where we need to target safety measures. This bill is a good first step toward making that happen.” The bill heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 4 – Cash payments to Pennsylvanians under the federal CARES Act would be exempt from state or local taxation under a bill that passed the House unanimously today, announced state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer. Longietti said he voted for H.B. 2408 – which would exempt cash stimulus payments under the federal CARES Act from state and local taxation – to keep all of those emergency dollars in the hands of residents. “The purpose of these emergency stimulus payments is to help working families survive during an unprecedented time – one for which they had no opportunity to prepare,” Longietti said. “Families are depending on these dollars – for food, rent, prescriptions and other essentials. This is not the time to cut into that emergency funding. I’m encouraged that this bill passed unanimously, with bipartisan support.” The CARES Act stimulus payments to individuals and couples are not subject to federal taxation. The bill would also allow charities and nonprofits to restructure their investment income to help them financially during the pandemic and would exempt from taxation loan forgiveness for federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses. The bill heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG , April 30 – A bill passed by the House today would permit local lawn and garden centers to reopen by providing them a waiver to the governor’s business closure order, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced. Longietti said he supported H.B. 2429 – along with an amendment conditioning the waiver on employers instituting worker safety protections -- as a way to stimulate the economy and help level the playing field for local businesses competing with big-box stores. “Our local businesses selling lawn and garden equipment and supplies have been feeling the brunt of the business closure order, and to make matters worse, competition from big box stores – which largely have kept their lawn and garden centers open – is making it impossible for our local stores to compete,” Longietti said. “I voted for this legislation to help put these local businesses that are so important to our economy on equal footing with the larger retail chains still operating. As amended to protect workers and the public, I believe the bill would provide a safe means of getting more workers back on the job, while ensuring more dollars go back to our local economy, not large, out-of-state corporations.” Longietti noted that lawn and garden centers that open would be required to implement safeguards, including following social distancing requirements, providing workers with personal Read more
HERMITAGE, April 24 – Mercer County families and small business owners will receive help getting back on their feet thanks to $659,464 in funding under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the funding – not yet received but earmarked by the Department of Community and Economic Development – will help ease the burden on residents and businesses who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. “Our community is incredibly resilient, and our residents are doing everything they can to weather the brunt of this pandemic,” Longietti said. “Unfortunately, when disaster strikes, it’s often the most vulnerable among us – our seniors, people with disabilities, families with the fewest resources – who face the greatest risk. Securing this funding is going to extend a lifeline of critical resources to those who need it most.” “The funding is also going to help provide our local business owners, who have been forced to a standstill during COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the resources they need to get back up and running once restrictions are eased and the economy can fully reopen.” Longietti said the funding will include — $65,377 to Greenville Borough. $61,469 to Sharpsville Borough. $159,506 to Mercer County. $186,556 to Farrell. Read more
HERMITAGE, April 22 – Two state grants totaling $101,300 will ensure Mercer County students have the resources they need to access remote and online learning programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said Reynolds School District will receive $59,750 and Farrell Area School District will receive $41,550 to outfit students with laptops or other remote-access tools they may lack. “Every student deserves the best possible education, regardless of their family’s income, Longietti said. “I believe our educators are doing a good job of adapting traditional classroom learning for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the new programs require additional resources that some students may be unable to afford. “The funding awarded today will help remove those barriers and make sure all our students continue to learn, not just those who can afford the technology.” The Continuity of Education Equity Grants – administered by the state Department of Education – are designed to help provide access and inclusion for all learners by bridging the gap for students who are currently limited in their ability to participate in continuity of education. The grants may be used to purchase computer equipment, such as laptops, tablets and internet hot spots, or to provide instructional materials, such Read more
HERMITAGE, April 22 – A major sewer project in Mercer County’s Shenango Township will receive approximately $4.16 million to fund the project’s third phase, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, announced today. Longietti said the funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority – which includes nearly $3.68 million in grant money and a low-interest loan of approximately $481,500 – will move the township closer to satisfying its obligation with state environmental authorities. “The Department of Environmental Protection has mandated this work,” Longietti said. “Under the DEP consent decree, the township is required to extend existing sewage and collection into areas with a higher on-lot septic system failure rate. “That project is a major financial undertaking that involves installation of nearly 12 miles of new sewer lines. We have been working to help the township meet its obligation while at the same time keeping the costs as low as possible for residents. This funding brings us one step closer to that goal.” Longietti said the Phase 3 work to be funded by today’s award includes: 9,515 feet of 8-inch-diameter gravity sewer main. 4,190 feet of 2-inch and 4-inch-diameter force mains. two sewage pump stations. wastewater treatment plant improvements, including a new headworks facility that removes Read more
HERMITAGE, April 20 – State Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, said he welcomes Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement today that the state will reopen limited construction activity May 8 and online auto sales, calling it a needed move that will bring relief to workers and small businesses while maintaining safety protocols. “Our workers and small businesses have been feeling the brunt of this pandemic,” Longietti said. “Our workers just want to get back on the job and continue providing for their families. Much of the work can be done either in a solitary environment or with distancing and protective equipment that keeps everyone safe from COVID-19. “We have been pushing to get the governor to recognize this, and today, it appears those efforts are succeeding. It’s one more step back to normalcy and rebuilding our economy.” Read more
HERMITAGE, April 1 – On Census Day, state Rep. Mark Longietti, D-Mercer, urges all residents to compete the U.S. Census form and be counted, saying that their participation is vital to securing federal funding for essential programs and services. “The U.S. Census only happens once every 10 years, and it’s our community’s once-in-a-decade chance to stand up and be counted,” Longietti said. “That count is critical because it determines who gets access to billions of dollars in federal funding. If our residents don’t respond in full force, those dollars – for health care, roads, education, transportation and other essential services – end up going elsewhere. “In addition to funding, the count also determines the extent of our representation in Congress, so participating and being counted directly affects how much of a say we have in Washington. I’m urging everyone to do their part and get counted – so much is at stake for our county and our community.” Longietti said based on the last census count, Pennsylvania receives $27 billion annually for federally funded programs. He said residents should not have safety or security concerns because census answers can’t be used against someone responding, and data security is managed by experts in the field. Moreover, the U.S. Census Bureau is prohibited by law from releasing any information Read more
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2213 Shenango Valley Freeway, Unit 2-EHermitage, PA 16148
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Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
182 Main St. Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce BuildingGreenville, PA 16125
P*: (724) 588-1005
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127 K. Leroy Irvis Office Bldg.PO Box 202007Harrisburg, PA 17120-2007
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