Section 1719-F.3 - Department of Community and Economic Development.The following apply to appropriations for the Department of Community and Economic Development:
(1) From money appropriated for general government operations, no less than $1,900,000 shall be used to support a manufacturing technology development effort, to assist Pennsylvania small businesses with enhanced cyber security and to test coal ash refuse extraction of rare earth metals for domestic chip manufacturing in a county of the fourth class with a population of at least 130,000, but not more than 135,000, under the most recent federal decennial census.(2) From money appropriated for marketing to attract tourists:(i) $4,145,000 to fund the activities of the tourism office within the department; and(ii) The remaining money includes an allocation to be used to plan, market and conduct a series of arts and cultural activities that generate Statewide and regional economic impact, and $1,000,000 shall be used for regional athletic competitions, activities and costs relating to an annual Statewide competition serving approximately 2,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from across this Commonwealth to be held in a county of the fourth class.(3) From money appropriated for Pennsylvania First, no less than $8,000,000 shall be used to fund the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDNETPA) for workforce training grants provided through an alliance of educational providers, including, but not limited to, State System of Higher Education universities, the Pennsylvania College of Technology and community colleges located in this Commonwealth.(4) From money appropriated for keystone communities:(i) $6,405,000 shall be used to fund the Main Street Program, Elm Street Program, Enterprise Zone Program and accessible housing. The allocation for the Main Street Program, ELM Street Program, Enterprise Zone Program and accessible housing shall be distributed in the same proportion as amounts allocated in fiscal year 2012-2013.(ii) The remaining money shall be used for projects supporting economic growth, community development and municipal assistance throughout this Commonwealth.(6) Notwithstanding section 4(1) of the act of October 11, 1984 ( P.L. 906, No.179), known as the Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program for Nonurban Counties and Certain Other Municipalities, the Commonwealth may use up to 3% of the money received pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 ( Public Law 93-383, 88 Stat. 633) for administrative costs.(7) Money appropriated for local municipal relief shall include an allocation to provide State assistance to individuals, persons or political subdivisions directly affected by natural or manmade disasters, public safety emergencies, other situations that pose a public safety danger or other situations at the discretion of the department. State assistance may be limited to grants for projects that do not qualify for Federal assistance to help repair damages to primary residences, personal property and public facilities and structures. Grants shall be made available for reimbursement in a disaster emergency area only when a presidential disaster declaration does not cover the area or when the Department of Community and Economic Development determines that a public safety emergency has occurred.(9) Money appropriated for hospital and health system emergency relief shall include an allocation to provide State assistance to hospital and health care systems that experience unexpected financial impact situations.(10) Money appropriated for community and economic assistance shall include an allocation to provide State assistance in the form of grants to assist in community and economic development, including projects in the public interest.(11) From money appropriated to the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Community and Economic Development shall pay one-third of the costs for the Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness to implement a contract for a nonprofit entity that has experience in the creation of long-term education planning efforts as required under section 123.1(g) of the Public School Code of 1949. The procurement of a nonprofit entity under section 123.1(g) of the Public School Code of 1949 shall not be subject to the requirements of 62 Pa.C.S. (relating to procurement). Notwithstanding section 123.1(g) of the Public School Code of 1949, the Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness, by majority vote, shall choose the nonprofit entity under section 123.1(g) of the Public School Code of 1949.(12) Money appropriated for workforce development shall be distributed in the same proportion as distributed in fiscal year 2022-2023. Added by P.L. TBD 2023 No. 34,§ 32, eff. 12/13/2023.