AMBRIDGE, April 7 – Nearly $2.9 million in federal funding will help 33 child care providers in the 16 th Legislative District rebuild from the damaging effects of the pandemic, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the American Rescue Plan Act funding includes grants ranging from approximately $10,000 to $287,000 to help businesses with key expenses. “Extended closures, dwindling enrollment and other pandemic-related problems hit child care providers hard, and many are still struggling to come back,” Matzie said. “This funding, which can be used for operations and personnel costs, supplies and equipment, and a range of other expenses, is going to help them rebound. More centers reopening their doors means more working parents returning to the workplace.” According to the state Department of Human Services, which administers the funding, providers will receive the funding in six monthly installments and must use it within nine months after their applications were approved. Centers also must report to DHS on how the funding is spent. A list of providers receiving the funding is available here: https://www.pahouse.com/files/Documents/2022-04-07_010731__BEAVERCC.pdf . The American Rescue Plan Act provided $24 billion to states nationwide to stabilize the child care sector. The grants to centers in the 16th Legislative District are part of a package of $628.5 million in approved ARPA funding to child care Read more
People seeking refuge from hostility or persecution have always found a home in Pennsylvania - welcoming them is in our DNA. After all, our commonwealth was born of William Penn’s great “experiment” to establish a community where religious tolerance – an unusual idea at the time- was the guiding principle. Since then, Pennsylvania has greeted refugees from every corner of the globe, escaping every kind of oppression. Pennsylvania grew to embody its 1980’s tagline: You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania. Now, as we watch in disbelief and sadness at the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, it is time to again open our communities’ doors and hearts to welcome newcomers to our beautiful commonwealth. This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news. These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities. From Philadelphia to Ambridge, and in communities in between, more than 122,000 Ukrainians already call Pennsylvania “home,” the second highest number of any state in the nation. And we want to assure those seeking refuge in our state now due to the current hostility, that they are welcome too. That is why we’ve proposed the creation of the New Neighbors Fund, that would authorize up to $2 million to support services for refugees from Ukraine. The New Neighbors Fund would supplement existing federal investments, and would create a Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 9 – The Laughlin Memorial Library in Ambridge will be receiving a roof replacement and other needed upgrades, thanks to $227,336 in newly awarded funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant from the state Department of Education, awarded under the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, will help finance critical repairs to the nearly 100-year-old building. “The library, which first opened in 1929, has served our community for nearly a century, providing rich resources and lending special character to our landscape – but updates are desperately needed,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to help finance replacing the roof, which has been leaking; upgrading outdoor security lighting and cameras; cleaning the exterior; and new accent lighting to highlight the library’s unique architecture.” Matzie said grant will fund half the total project cost of $454,600. Read more
AMBRIDGE, March 9 – Beaver County veterans will benefit from new job training thanks to nearly $200,000 in state funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant to NuPaths LLC – awarded through the state Department of Labor and Industry – will fund practical training to help veterans transition to civilian IT jobs. “Military members transitioning to the civilian workforce have strong skills to offer, and our workforce needs talented workers more than ever as we build back from the pandemic,” Matzie said. “Securing this grant will allow NuPaths to train 24 veterans in Beaver County and surrounding areas for network technician and IT security analyst jobs. “That’s a win-win because it helps strengthen our economy while giving those who served a promising path to a productive civilian life.” Funding for the grant comes from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Industry Partnership and Reemployment funds. More information about the funding is available at this link: https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-announces-800000-in-grant-funding-for-veteran-employment-support-after-service/ . Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Governor Tom Wolf today called on lawmakers to support legislation drafted by state Reps. Rob Matzie and Kevin Boyle that would invest $2 million to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Pennsylvania. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the soon-to-be-introduced legislation would allow the commonwealth to fast-track aid to thousands needing it immediately. “America defends freedom. We have always welcomed those fleeing danger and oppression,” Matzie said. “Pennsylvania has the second-largest population of people with Ukrainian ancestry in the U.S. My district alone has three communities – Ambridge, Baden and Harmony – in the top 20% of folks whose families originally came from Ukraine. We have several Ukrainian churches. This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news. These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities. “The $2 million will get immediate aid flowing to these displaced families. We will be able to help them with housing, food, and clothing, and work with relief organizations to set up longer-term support.” Pennsylvania Democratic House Finance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle said, “Many thanks to my colleague Representative Matzie for helping put this legislation together; I’ll be advocating that it’s heard in committee, but it’s ultimately up to the majority at this point how quickly we can get Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 10 – A new bill introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie would protect nursing home residents and staff from sexual assaults by establishing care and reporting requirements when a registered sex offender is admitted. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said H.B. 2341 – which would function as a Megan’s Law for the state’s nursing homes – would establish protections that are needed immediately. “Right now, when a registered sexual offender is admitted to a Pennsylvania nursing home, the home is not required to disclose this to other residents or staff – or to develop any special plans to ensure their safety,” Matzie said. “The situation has resulted in attacks on residents, and the threat will only grow as thousands of registered sex offenders continue aging and require medical care. “My bill would put essential protections in place by requiring all Pennsylvania nursing homes to check the sex offender registry before admitting a new resident; develop a care plan to protect other residents and staff when a registered offender is admitted; and notify staff and other residents in close proximity about the plan.” Matzie’s bill would also require facilities to report the information to the state Department of Health, to create a centralized registry that would function as a Megan’s Law for nursing homes. Currently, there is no such list, so officials have no way of tracking how many Read more
AMBRIDGE, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is urging homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments to see if they qualify for assistance under a new state program. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which opened for applications this week, is designed to help homeowners facing unforeseen financial hardships because of the pandemic. “Housing expenses take the largest bite out of a family’s budget, and for many homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic, meeting a monthly mortgage payment may be much more difficult than it used to be,” Matzie said. “I urge anyone who is struggling with those payments to see if they qualify for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which can help prevent delinquency, default or foreclosure.” Matzie said to that to qualify, a homeowner must: own and occupy the Pennsylvania property as their primary home. have experienced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before that date and continued afterward). have a household income equal to or less than 150% of area median income ($89,050 for a family of one, $101,800 for a family of two, and $127,200 for a family of four). have a first mortgage that is a conforming loan and meets the federal Read more
AMBRIDGE, Feb. 1 – New grant funding of $150,000 will help boost career education to better prepare Beaver County students for good-paying, high-demand jobs, announced state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Bever/Allegheny. Matzie said the grant to the Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board would focus on efforts to provide teachers, students and parents with information on career trends, needs and gaps. “The first steps toward a career path begin in school, so it’s important that our curriculum includes real-world, practical information that helps put students on the right path,” Matzie said. “Securing this grant for the Southwest Corner Business Education Program will fund vital connections between schools and workforce partners to ensure that our curriculum is providing students the training, preparation and opportunities they need.” Matzie said an additional $150,000 grant to the Three Rivers Workforce Development Board will allow Partner4Work to connect Allegheny County students with career and technical education programs. Business-Education Partnership grants from the Department of Labor and Industry are funded at 100% through federal money made available from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act. The grants are part of a package to workforce development organizations statewide. More information on the funding is Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 31 – A $2,500 microgrant to the Ambridge-based nonprofit Crop and Kettle will fund a greenhouse to train students in urban agriculture, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said that in addition to teaching practical hands-on skills for supplementing the food supply, the greenhouse will give students lessons in self-sufficiency and community responsibility. “Urban agriculture can play a major role in addressing food insecurity, but we need to ensure the next generation understands those skills and why they are important,” Matzie said. “With the new greenhouse, students will get hands-on lessons in agriculture and about how hydroponic technology can be used to grow traditional crops year-round. “In addition to teaching those practical skills, lessons in the greenhouse will empower students to realize that they can play a role in combating hunger and sustaining a healthy food supply for their community. Those are important life lessons.” The funding is part of a package of grants awarded under the 2021-22 Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program. More information on the grants is available at this link: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Agriculture_details.aspx?newsid=1179 . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 27 – A $3,667 state grant to the Aliquippa School District will fund a new reach-in refrigerator for the Aliquippa Elementary School cafeteria, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the new equipment will improve efficiency and make operations easier for staff. “A new reach-in refrigerator will allow the Aliquippa Elementary School cafeteria to safely store a large capacity of food in an energy-efficient way that keeps it fresh, well-organized, and convenient for easy access,” Matzie said. “It’s an essential addition for the school’s busy cafeteria staff.” The funding is part of package of competitive grants awarded to 44 elementary, middle and high schools through a program administered by the state Department of Education. Funding for the grants is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Grants are awarded to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Schools can use the funding to purchase or upgrade equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves and dishwashers. The list of schools receiving food service equipment grants can be found on PDE’s website. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 21 – Public schools in Beaver County’s Aliquippa and Hopewell Area school districts and Allegheny County’s Quaker Valley School District will enjoy new safety resources thanks to nearly $104,300 in funding, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding is part of the 2021-22 Safe Schools Targeted Grants program administered by the state Department of Education. “The grant funding announced today will help ensure our district schools have the resources they need to keep students and staff safe and to give them the peace of mind they need for a productive, worry-free educational environment,” Matzie said. The funding includes a $19,730 program grant to the Aliquippa School District, a $24,568 equipment grant to Quaker Valley School District, and $60,000 grant to the Hopewell Area School District to continue a school resource officer position. The grants are part of a package of $8 million in competitive grants awarded statewide. More information on the specific awardees and amounts is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, is reminding residents about two recent programs that can provide eligible households assistance with water and broadband services. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, said the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can assist households in danger of losing water service. “For residents facing a risk of having their water services terminated, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program can provide crisis grants – which do not need to be repaid – directly to the service provider,” Matzie said. “Eligible households can receive up to two $2,500 grants – one for water service and one for wastewater service. I urge anyone with past-due water bills who may be facing a shutoff threat to apply.” Matzie said a second program – the Affordable Connectivity Program – can help low-income households that are having difficulty paying for Internet service. “The Affordable Connectivity Program can help eligible households stay connected by providing monthly discounts of up to $30 per month on broadband service,” Matzie said. “With so many important life activities depending on a reliable connection, this is a lifeline no family should have to lose, especially when help is available.” Matzie said households may be able to qualify for several Read more
On Jan. 4 the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association released its list of football classifications for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Using total male enrollment numbers for grades 9 through 11, the PIAA separates football programs into six classifications, with 6A being the largest and 1A being the smallest. The range for 5A is 383 to 557. Aliquippa currently has 118 boys enrolled yet was classified as 5A. Yes, you read that right. How is that possible? The answer is something called the PIAA competitive balance rule. Ironic, given that the way it is being applied to Aliquippa is anything but balanced. I don’t need to recap the success and tradition of Aliquippa football to anyone even remotely aware of sports in Western PA. Aliquippa football has always voluntarily played a level or two above their designated classification for years. They have embraced the challenge and competition that goes with playing bigger schools with larger enrollment and more resources. Which brings us back to the competitive balance rule. Originally instituted to prevent open transfer recruiting by private high school sports factories, the competitive balance rule uses a program’s number of transfers combined with “success points” to determine if that program should be automatically elevated a classification level. But this rule has a fundamental flaw Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 20 – A grant of $216,500 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development will fund streetscape improvements for the city of Aliquippa, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant, awarded under the Keystone Communities Program, will fund work planned by the city’s Neighborhood Sidewalk Program. “The securing of this funding is part of the ongoing collaboration with Mayor Walker, council and administration to bring much-needed funding for improvements that match with other dollars brought back that are making a real difference,” he said. More about the funding is available here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15 – State Rep. Rob Matzie lauded today’s final passage of legislation to expand reliable, high-speed broadband throughout the commonwealth, calling the move a “historic step” to close the digital divide in Pennsylvania. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said H.B. 2071 will establish the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority – charged with creating a broadband plan and distributing grants for broadband expansion projects – and bring critical connections to previously unserved or underserved areas. “In a world where so many important services are offered online, the lack of reliable and affordable high-speed Internet isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a major quality-of-life issue, and one that has plagued residents in certain communities for years,” said Matzie, who, as Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, helped guide the bill through the legislative process. “Easy access to fast, reliable internet is a necessity of modern life. But as we know all too well, a large gap exists – what we call the digital divide. “Today, we took an historic, bipartisan step to close that digital divide once and for all and ensure that all Pennsylvanians – regardless of where they live – have access to telemedicine, online shopping, remote learning, entertainment, and the multitude of other benefits those critical broadband connections Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been awarded more than $1.24 million for infrastructure upgrades to help it serve more of the community, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grant – awarded under the COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program – will allow the food bank to purchase equipment to expand food storage and delivery capacity. “Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and their partners in Beaver and Allegheny counties have always been an important resource for families facing food insecurity,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand the food bank’s capacity to store and deliver food so that it can reach more households in need.” The COVID-19 Food Bank Cold Storage Infrastructure Program allows Pennsylvania food banks to purchase, expand, or upgrade cold storage facilities to ensure that they can deliver fresh food to struggling families. Eligible purchases include refrigerators, coolers, freezers, refrigerator trailers and cargo vans, building expansions, and more. The grants are part of a package of $11.4 million in funding to food banks statewide. More information on the grants is available here. Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – The Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation is receiving $4,000 in state funding, and history centers and museums in Allegheny County were awarded more than $274,000, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants, which consist of nearly $2 million in funding to 154 museums and county historical societies statewide under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program and additional funding of $175,000 to 34 organizations statewide under the Historical and Archival Records Care Grant Program. “I was excited to join the board in approving this funding for the organizations and museums that play such a vital role in keeping our history alive,” Matzie said. “Here at home, new funding to the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will support staff in their efforts to collect and preserve area landmarks, documents and other artifacts and showcase them in a way that engages the public, stimulates young minds, and keeps the story of our past alive for future generations.” Matzie said regional funding under the Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program includes: Beaver County Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation - $4,000 Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – Grant funding of $469,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will strengthen Beaver County programs to investigate and prosecute domestic violence and child abuse and expand supports and services for victims, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Women’s Center of Beaver County will receive $375,000 for the STOP Violence Against Women Advocacy Project, while the Beaver County satellite office of A Child’s Place will receive $47,000 directly and benefit from another $47,000 awarded to the Allegheny County office to fund a community/police liaison. “Securing this funding will allow the Women’s Center to strengthen investigation and prosecution of violence against women and expand services and supports – including medical care, shelter, advocacy, safety planning and other resources – to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” Matzie said. “The funding to A Child’s Place will provide resources to beef up investigation and prosecution of child abuse and help educate the community on how to recognize and prevent abuse. In addition, funding to the affiliated Child’s Place office in Allegheny County will provide the Beaver County office with a community/police liaison to maintain relations and exchange information between child advocacy staff and law enforcement.” Mazie said that in addition to Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 19 – Two grants totaling more than $326,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund road and playground improvement projects for Hopewell and Harmony townships, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said a $226,453 grant to Hopewell awarded under the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program will allow the township to construct a new box culvert and bridge along Laird Drive, which leads directly into Hopewell Community Park. “The work funded by this grant – including nearly 250 square yards of road paving and installation of 200 feet of guardrail – will reduce roadway flooding and provide alternative routes for pedestrians, cyclists and children traveling to three Hopewell schools,” Matzie said. He said the total project cost is $266,424 and that the township is requesting a waiver of the match requirement but will fund nearly $40,000, or 15% of the project. Matzie said that a $100,000 grant to Harmony Township, awarded under the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, will allow the township to continue improving the playground at Beaver Road Park. “Securing this funding will allow Harmony Township to install a new play surface; replace outdated play equipment with new, more accessible equipment; and add features that stimulate kids’ senses. Those improvements will make the park safer and more Read more
Federal grant supported by legislator brings ‘tremendous opportunity’ to region Read more
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