Pa. spends nearly $700M on women-, minority-, veteran-owned businesses

WILKES-BARRE — Delivering on a key campaign promise, the Shapiro-Davis Administration is boosting the amount the Commonwealth spends with small diverse businesses (SDBs) and set a new record during 2023-24, with nearly $700 million going to vendors and contracts with SDBs and veteran business enterprises (VBEs) last fiscal year.

“Gov. Josh Shapiro and I recognize that small businesses and small, diverse businesses are the backbone of our economy and the beating heart of communities across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who chairs the Pennsylvania Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP). “When we took office, we pledged to increase and open up new doors of opportunities for these businesses to compete for — and win — state contracts. I’m excited to see our efforts are already bearing fruit, but there is still much more work to be done, as we work to expand economic opportunity and help Pennsylvania families build generational wealth.”

The Department of General Services (DGS), which handles all state procurement and contracts, announced that the Commonwealth spent $691 million with SDBs and VBEs during the 2023-24 fiscal year, a significant increase over the $562 million spent in 2022-23.

This record-breaking investment included an increase in spending with Black-owned and Latino-owned businesses, growing from $104 million in 2021-22 to $136 million in 2022-23.

Over the past year, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has taken the following actions to expand opportunities and improve the procurement process for small businesses in Pennsylvania:

• Launched an initiative to support Pennsylvania-based small businesses by purchasing more products from them through Amazon Business.

• Created a Mentor-Protégé Program to help small businesses compete for Commonwealth contracting opportunities.

• Updated Department of State business registration forms, to collect more information and share that info with DGS if a business qualifies as a small business, small diverse business or veteran business enterprise.

• Expanded the Commonwealth’s definition of a small business to align with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition and allow more businesses to qualify.

• Implemented a prompt pay policy, so subcontractors now must be paid within 10 days after a prime contractor receives payment from the state.

• Reduced the time it takes for DGS to certify a small business.

In September 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the executive order creating PACIP, a 16-member council that advises Commonwealth agencies on ways to make state contracting opportunities more inclusive. The Lieutenant Governor convened the council for its first meeting in December 2023 and has hosted quarterly meetings since then.

Casey cites progress to lower costs, create jobs, invest in manufacturing, clean energy

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, this week released a statement on the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act — landmark legislation to lower health care and energy costs for families and boost clean energy production.

“This game changing law invests in the Commonwealth, lowering costs for Pennsylvania families,” Casey said. “From health care to electricity bills, Pennsylvanians are spending less on their everyday needs. I fought for this law to keep hard-earned dollars in Pennsylvanians’ pocket, and I will keep fighting to bring costs down.”

Sen. Casey said he has traveled around the Commonwealth delivering critical investments to Pennsylvania, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). He has visited companies and regions that are poised to benefit from lower costs, tax credits and investments.

He said he also continues to push the Administration to ensure that Pennsylvania can take advantage of additional grants, tax credits, and other opportunities.

As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Casey fought to give Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices. Just this week, Medicare successfully negotiated to lower costs for 10 additional drugs. Casey’s Lowering Medicare Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs Act, included in the IRA, expanded cost sharing assistance for low-income people with Medicare, capped annual out-of pocket-costs, and lowered the price of insulin to $35 a month.

Additionally, seniors qualify to receive critical vaccines for free.

Casey has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Commonwealth can continue to be a leader in manufacturing, while also protecting the environment. He fought to include provisions in the clean energy law to boost domestic manufacturing, by providing a bonus tax credit for companies that use American steel, iron, and manufactured goods.

State announces $7.1M in investments for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week announced $7.1 million in investments for Round 1B of federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding.

This funding represents another step in the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to combating climate change and providing travelers with transportation options that are cleaner, safer, more affordable, and built by Pennsylvanians.

“With every investment in EV infrastructure, we make clean transportation options more accessible for Pennsylvanians,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These awards will help move us to the next phase of EV roll-out.”

Ten projects in nine counties across the state were selected to fill in the final gaps along Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC) following NEVI Round 1 and Round 1A.

Charging stations will expand access to, and the reliability of, electric vehicle (EV) charging within Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has more than 1,800 miles of AFCs. NEVI guidelines require funds first be used to “build out” designated AFCs (meaning there must be no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an AFC exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.

The $7.1 million federal investment is part of the $171.5 million PennDOT will receive and distribute for EV charging infrastructure over five years through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Additionally, charging stations awarded in Round 1B will support the administration’s commitment to hire local by requiring at least 50% of the total amount of labor performed during the project to be completed by workers who reside within 50 miles of the site. PennDOT will verify compliance via certified payroll records containing all workers’ permanent residential addresses.

Together with previously announced awards, Pennsylvania has committed NEVI funding to 91 projects across 43 counties. The Round 1B Funding Opportunity was designed to fill the final gaps in the AFCs that remained following Round 1 and Round 1A awards preparing the state to seek “fully built out” certification and begin the community investment phase.

The NEVI funds support the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of charging sites. The PA NEVI program is a reimbursement program and recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match. PennDOT received 39 unique funding submissions requesting over $27 million for this round of investments.

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy now accepting applications for January 2025 class

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its next class of cadets, which begins in January 2025.

There is no tuition cost to attend. Meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies are provided at no charge.

The KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, learn leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility to build a better life.

The opening of the academy at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Lebanon County in July 2022 formally established the National Guard Bureau’s Youth ChalleNGe Program in Pennsylvania.

The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are failing to progress in high school or may not be on a clear path to graduating. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions, and voluntarily commit to the program.

The program lasts for 17 months, with the first five months consisting of residential training at FTIG followed by a minimum one-year mentorship back in their home communities.

“This academy continues to graduate exceptional young men and women who are focused and determined to be successful and live a quality, productive life,” said Steve Grossman, KSCA director. “To see the transition from a first-day candidate to a proud cadet graduate standing tall with all the confidence in the world is truly incredible. I encourage anyone looking to get back on track socially and academically to give this academy a chance.”

The KSCA conducts two classes a year, one starting in mid-July and the other in mid-January. Applications are accepted all year long.

For detailed eligibility requirements and to begin the application process, visit the Eligibility and Admissions webpage.

If you prefer to have an application mailed to you or would like to talk with someone about this program, contact the academy by emailing — [email protected] — or by calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831.

The KSCA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the National Guard Bureau in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Cadets are introduced to the military structure and focus on eight core components: Academic Excellence; Physical Fitness; Leadership/Followership; Responsible Citizenship; Job Skills; Service to the Community; Health and Hygiene; and Life Coping Skills. Graduates often receive high school credits, credentials, or a GED.

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program currently operates 40 Youth ChalleNGe sites in 28 states and territories. The program is both federally and state funded.

More details can be found at — www.dmva.pa.gov/KeystoneStateChallengeAcademy .