Shapiro Administration Invests over $17M in New Main St Matters Awards 

The Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) representatives announced new investments in the Main Street Matters Program.

Over $17 million is being used for support of 56 community projects across the state to revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies.

The latest round of funding has received over 220 applications and has sustained $20 million in funding for the proposed state budget after an increase in demand. 

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Disaster Declaration for PA Farmers Signed in Lackawanna County

A roundtable discussion was held this week in Lackawanna County in which United States Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Brooke signed a farming disaster declaration.

Covering 17 counties, this declaration will help Pennsylvania farmers recover financially from the frost, which has cost between $150-$200 million in revenue after the prolonged cold weather.

The United States Farm Service Agency (FSA) can now provide emergency credit to producers and be used towards replacement of essential items, reorganizing operations, and refinancing. 

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New Kingston Nonprofit, Community Garden Rooted in Sustainability, Education

A new Kingston-based nonprofit Green Neighbors Network will serve as both a community garden and local education and event area.

Fresh food harvested from the gardening space will be free for the community, and events will educate about the origins of food, sustainability practices, and gardening lessons.

The organization plans to expand and create educational and recreational opportunities around environmentally responsible practices and spaces. 



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Measuring the Impact of Unconditional Cash on the Social Determinants of Health

CashRx is a guaranteed income program backed by Bread for the City, a federally-qualified health center that provides clothing, food, medical care, and other services to low-income residents of Washington, DC.

Financial barriers are a key social determinant of health, which shape accessibility to and quality of housing, transportation, and care.

The Urban Institute discusses findings from the first cohort of participants in CashRx.



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Project-Based Carbon Credit Markets: Overview, Issues, Future Directions

Over the last several decades, carbon credit markets have emerged as a driving force behind channeling finances into climate change mitigation projects around the world.

Carbon credits are generated from a diverse array of activities and practices that avoid or remove greenhouse gas emissions, which include renewable energy, reforestation, and engineering-based removals.

Brookings Research explains and evaluates project-based credit markets, their economic logic, performances, and potential reforms to increase climate outcomes.

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What’s in the House Amendment to the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act?

After the bipartisan-backed passing of the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act, an amendment was passed this month.

A recent poll from the Bipartisan Policy Center found that 89 percent of voters say Congress should pass legislation to make housing affordable, but differing chamber approaches must be reconciled for the bill to become law.

This article discusses a section-by-section breakdown of what is in the ROAD to Housing Act amendment and what bipartisan legislation potential exists. 



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