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In this Update:
$2.3 Million Announced for Redevelopment of Lebanon Steel Works
I was happy to announce more than $2.3 million in support to convert Lebanon Steel Works to a small business incubator, artist space and cultural amenity. Through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Business in Our Sites Program, the project will receive a more than $631,000 grant and a 20-year loan totaling more than $1.7 million. The old Bethlehem Steel Site in the city of Lebanon consists of multiple acres centrally located in between the city’s historic downtown and some of the fastest growing housing markets in Pennsylvania. The project will focus on redeveloping one square acre of this land with a 30,000-square-foot masonry and timber structure to be revamped. Second Sail Development LLC plans to pre-lease spaces and conduct a phased renovation and tenanting strategy while redeveloping the site. This will allow Second Sail to convert the vacant space into 15-25 individual spaces for small businesses, most of which will have one to five jobs. The project is expected to result in the creation of 70 new jobs. While historically an economic driver, the old Bethlehem Steel Foundry is unfortunately just a blighted brownfield site. This project will breathe new life into the area as it will offer employment and business opportunities with cultural amenities – allowing Lebanon residents to enjoy those experiences like Hershey, Lititz, Harrisburg or Lancaster cities. The grant and loan money will be used to lightly renovate the structure by modernizing, subdividing and bringing it up to code while retaining its industrial character. By limiting renovation costs, more affordable rents will be available to tenants. The first floor of the building will be set aside for larger maker-type users and a three-season event space open to the train tracks for an industrial experience. Renovations on the second floor will focus on an auditorium event space, a small format artist studio, executive office space and coworking. Two existing vaults will be repurposed as “mini-museums” showing the site’s history through photos and artifacts. The Business in Our Sites Program empowers communities to attract growing and expanding employers by helping them build an inventory of ready sites. Funding can be used of all site development activities that are required to make a site shovel ready. New Law to Increase School Security
To protect students, the Senate voted in favor of legislation that would require every school district in Pennsylvania to have an armed officer. Senate Bill 907 was amended into Senate Bill 700, an omnibus School Code bill that was passed as part of the budget and is now law. Each school district is required to have at least one school security personnel, who has completed training to be armed, and may be either a school police officer, school resource officer or school security guard. School safety personnel would undergo background investigations, be required to maintain certification and be annually certified in position-specific training. The legislation furthers the Senate Republican priority of fostering healthy and safe communities. Adamstown’s Bollman Hat Company Tour
I was very appreciative I had the opportunity to tour and learn about the Bollman Hat Company in Adamstown, Lancaster County. Hat making has a long-storied history in Lancaster and Berks counties and Bollman is the nation’s oldest hat manufacturer. I am always amazed at the variety of businesses in the 48th senate district. This employee-owned company has been making “American Made” products for over 150 years right here in our backyard. To learn more about them, visit https://bollmanhats.com/ Congratulations to the 2024 Lebanon Area Fair Queen, Brook BeamesderferThis week has been Lebanon Area Fair week in the 48th District. I enjoyed stopping by the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Breakfast at the Fair” to hear from the keynote speaker, Stacy Garrity, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
I also had the opportunity to meet the 2024 Lebanon Area Fair Queen, Brooke Beamesderfer. She plans on studying agricultural business this fall at Penn State and is celebrating her ninth year at the Lebanon Area Fair. Congratulations to Brooke and good luck in your future endeavors! Hamburg’s “Right from the Start Early Learning Academy” Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Congratulations to Hamburg’s “Right from the Start Early Learning Academy” (RFTS) on celebrating 20 years of serving the community. I joined PA State Rep. Jamie Barton (PA-124) to present the staff and owners with citations from the House and Senate. They provide daycare and early learning opportunities to children ranging from infants to fifth-grade students. Their longevity and success certainly should be applauded, especially with the challenges daycare institutions have faced in recent years. Grant and Resource Workshop for Non-Profit Organizations
Navigating the Commonwealth’s complex and convoluted Departmental system of grant funding is challenging to say the least. To that end, I will be organizing and hosting a Non-Profit Grant and Resource Workshop on September 24th at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. The workshop will feature Deputy Secretary Rick Vilello from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Joe Marsicano from the Senate Grants Team, Nicole Gray from the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, and Vicki DeLoatch from Lebanon Family Health. As part of the workshops, you will receive a state reference manual that contains a comprehensive listing of grant programs and important contact information. I believe you will find the manual to be a valuable reference for many years to come. There is no charge for the Seminar, but seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please register for the workshop by September 20th by visiting https://senatorgebhard.com/non-profit-workshop-reg/ or by calling my district office at 717-274-6735. PASSHE Freezes Tuition for In-State Undergraduates
For the seventh year, the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) froze tuition for in-state undergraduates for the 2024-25 academic year. The tuition rate will stay the same at all 10 state-owned public universities. PASSHE schools serve the most in-state students of any four-year college or university in Pennsylvania, at the lowest price. Nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, many from middle-income families. To make higher education more affordable, Senate Republicans passed Grow PA – a package of bills that creates new programs to recruit the best talent to Pennsylvania schools in industries that will grow the state’s economy while also expanding existing financial assistance programs that are already working. Read more about the scholarship and tuition waiver programs. Program Increasing Digital Connectivity to Provide Laptops
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is accepting applications for its Digital Connectivity Technology Program. Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million in laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations and other institutions that can offer internet access to individuals who lack the technology. PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program frequently asked questions (FAQ), before applying. The FAQ, pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, guidelines and online application are available here. Applications must be submitted by Monday, Aug. 19. Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children
In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in a hot vehicle. This tragedy can happen to anyone, but is preventable. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature. When a child is left in a vehicle, the situation quickly can become dangerous. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees, and a child can die when his or her body temperature hits 107 degrees. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time – even with the windows down or when parked in the shade, as it does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle. Stop to check the back seat and lock the door before leaving a hot car. Store car keys out of a child’s reach and teach kids that a vehicle is not a play area. Read more tips. Fighting Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Tuesday, July 30, and this year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” Children represent a significant portion of trafficking victims worldwide, and they are twice as likely as adults are to face violence during trafficking. Traffickers use social media to recruit and exploit children. Senate Republicans worked to support these young victims, unanimously passing a law that ensures sexually exploited children who are human trafficking victims always have full access to appropriate services and support. Local Events
Saturday, July 27-28: Kauffman Schaefferstown’s 6th Annual WWII Weekend Saturday, July 20-27: Lebanon Area Fair Saturday, July 27, 8am-11am: Bethel-Tulpehocken Library Carnival Saturday, July 27, 10am: Free Fly Fishing Basics Class Tuesday, July 30, 6pm-7:30pm: DCNR: Salamander Safari-Swatara State Park
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