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In this Update:

• Upward Farms & a2b Fulfillment Announcements
• We’re Still Collecting Items for Area Food Banks
• Help Available to Move Students from Schools to Employment
• State Grants Available for Public Libraries
• Thank You, Truck Drivers
• Celebrating Our Enduring Constitution

Upward Farms & a2b Fulfillment Announcements

Yesterday, I was pleased to attend the ribbon cuttings for Upward Farms and a2b Fulfillment. Two announcements of major facilities with substantial job impact in the same area, on the same day, is quite extraordinary! 

The completion of the 250,000 square foot Upward Farms vertical farming facility is an exciting project in its scope, its job capacity, and the prospective markets for the foodstuffs to be produced. Their growth will help to meet the demands of a rapidly emerging market and contribute to a healthier economy and environment.

A2b Fulfillment opened right next to Upward Farms, and provides third-party logistics services, including order fulfillment.  A2b works with hundreds of small and medium-sized companies across many industries and product categories. This facility will serve as their base of operations for the Northeastern United States.  

This growth and expansion would not be possible without those who have concentrated for many years on workforce development, and who made sure we feature site capacity to accommodate such facilities.  While the overall economic news is a bit mixed these days, these announcements certainly signal better days ahead for the workers, families, and local communities.

We’re Still Collecting Items for Area Food Banks

Throughout Hunger Action Month, my district offices (see addresses below) are collecting non-perishable items to be given to food banks in our communities.

Neighbors helping neighbors is the best form of charity and it’s one of the many traditions that make our country great. Please consider making a donation to help a family in need.

Help Available to Move Students from Schools to Employment

State assistance is available to develop and improve partnerships between schools, employers, organizations or associations for pre-apprenticeship and training pathways for students.

Successful project applications should create career opportunities that lessen the gap between high school and employment or post-secondary education through the use of pre-apprenticeships.

Applicants must be registered with the department as a pre-apprenticeship program and be connected to a registered apprenticeship program that will be responsible for administering and operating a pre-apprenticeship program. Additional details and the grant application for the Schools-to-Work grants can be found here. Applications are due by Oct. 12.

State Grants Available for Public Libraries

Applications are being accepted until Oct. 14 for the 2023 Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program.

It provides funds to sponsoring municipalities for up to 50% of eligible project costs to plan, acquire, construct, or rehabilitate public libraries as outlined in the guidelines. Examples of fundable projects include ADA upgrades, a new roof, replacement windows, energy-efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, new elevators, facility expansion and new construction.

To be eligible, the sponsoring municipality and the board of the state-aided library must jointly prepare and submit their application. A competitive review process is used to evaluate and score applications.

Thank You, Truck Drivers

This is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. These one million professional men and women keep the American economy moving by delivering our goods safely, securely and on time. Thank you for your commitment and hard work.

Celebrating Our Enduring Constitution

On Sept. 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, the Founding Fathers signed the most influential document in American history, the U.S. Constitution.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

It recognizes that we are born with rights that government did not grant and cannot take away. Every legislator takes an oath to support, obey and defend the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution.

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