Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today the approval of $37,500 in new funding through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) to the City of Aliquippa for an environmental site assessment in the city’s East End Redevelopment Site in Beaver County.

“ISRP funding is critical for ensuring that any potentially harmful chemicals can be identified and addressed at this site before moving forward in bringing new life to the property and its surrounding community,” said Gov. Wolf.

The East End Redevelopment Site contains 52 contiguous parcels centered along Franklin Avenue in Aliquippa, totaling approximately 4.5 acres owned and controlled by the city and the Beaver County Redevelopment Authority. In addition, the site is located immediately adjacent to vehicular ramps that provide access and egress to Route 51, a major highway corridor along the Ohio River. Two remaining commercial structures were recently demolished.

This funding supports a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment on six of the parcels and will include any soil borings and groundwater sampling necessary to address the identified environmental conditions at the site. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends the addition of a second round of groundwater sampling be incorporated into the scope of work for proper groundwater characterization. The site is also within 200 yards of the Aliquippa Industrial Park, containing 25 active warehousing, light manufacturing, and wholesale operations. Given the site location, the end use is likely to be commercial.

“These environmental assessments are crucial first steps to take in bringing a new appeal to formerly underutilized or unused spaces—making sure they are safe and destined to spur economic development in the region,” said Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin.

The ISRP provides loans and grants for environmental assessments and remediation carried out by eligible applicants who did not cause or contribute to the contamination. The program is designed to foster the cleanup of environmental contamination at industrial sites, thereby bringing blighted land into productive reuse.

“The funds provided through the IRSP will allow DEP to begin the revitalization of these sites and keep efforts of environmental justice active across our communities,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

For more information about the Industrial Sites Reuse program or DCED, visit www.dced.pa.gov.

Reports say that US Congressman Conor Lamb is expected to announce his candidacy for the US Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Pat Toomey at a kick-off event being held on Friday August 6, 2021.

Lamb who is expected to make his announcement next Friday at the IBEW Union Hall on the South Side will join Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, and Philadelphia state representative Malcolm Kenyatta, among others, in seeking next spring’s Democratic nomination to replace Republican Senator Pat Toomey.

US jobless claims down 24,000 to 400,000 as economy recovers
By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits slid last week, another sign that the job market continues to recover rapidly from the coronavirus recession. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims dropped by 24,000 to 400,000 last week. The weekly applications have fallen more or less steadily this year — from a peak of 904,000 in early to January. But they remain high by historic standards.

US economy accelerated at a solid 6.5% rate last quarter
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fueled by vaccinations and government aid, the U.S. economy grew at a solid 6.5% annual rate last quarter in the clearest sign to date that the nation has achieved a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession.  Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department estimated that the nation’s gross domestic product — its total output of goods and services — accelerated in the April-June quarter from an already robust 6.3% annual growth rate in the first quarter of the year. For all of 2021, the economy is expected to expand about 7%. That would be the strongest calendar-year growth since 1984. And it would mark a sharp reversal from last year’s 3.5% economic contraction — the worst in 74 years — as a result of the pandemic.

(Aliquippa, Pa.) At last night’s council meeting Aliquippa City Council heard complaints about Eureka Property Management Company, who owns the Valley Terrace  Housing Complex on  Superior Avenue in Aliquippa. A resident complained to council  via ZOOM at Wednesday night’s city work session about  unsafe, unsanitary conditions at the complex. Aliquippa City  Manager Sam Gill told the resident that  the  property receives funding through HUD. She said when she calls Eureka  they just laugh about complaints. Aliquippa City Solicitor Myron R. Sainovich was asked to intervene  and Aliquippa Mayor Dwan B. Walker suggested residents should call Eureka , and keep threatening them.

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) Contour Airlines will offer non-stop service to Indianapolis and Milwaukee starting  in October of this year. Passengers can catch a flight six days a week, with tickets starting at $99 each way.
The airline uses regional jets, which are designed to give every passenger more legroom. Each Flight will hold a maximum of 30 passengers.