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PCA&D receives grant for new major; partnership

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D) received a $500,000 grant from The Steinman Foundation for its new major and a dean to lead it.

PCA&D said the grant will assist with the development of its new Live Experience Design & Production Major and its partnership with Rock Lititz and UK-based Academy of Live Technology (ALT).

Part of the grant enabled the college to hire the Steinman Dean, Institute for Leadership, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Innovation, who will guide the partnership.

PCA&D President Michael Molla said that the grant will be a major contribution to ensuring that the institute and the partnership can begin its work on a strong financial foundation.

Jason Hartz

PCA&D named Jason Hartz as Steinman dean, Molla said.

“We share a common goal with The Steinman Foundation to create Lancaster County’s workforce of tomorrow,” Molla said. “Our partnership with Rock Lititz and ALT is about just that, providing opportunities for students to receive a best-in-class education that draws diverse students from all over the globe.”

Andrea Shirk, president and CEO of Rock Lititz said, “It’s important to create opportunities for students to explore careers off the beaten path. Work in the live entertainment industry asks for both artists and technicians to find out-of-the-box solutions, to build today’s most immersive experiences. Integrating students into the working environment at Rock Lititz will provide a level of education only gained from trying something firsthand.,”

Through the partnership, students will become industry professionals on day one, learning next to experts and working on active projects with current gear, Shirk said.

Melding the strengths and expertise of PCA&D and the Academy of Live Technology, which has provided live production creative, technical, and professional skills to students since its founding in the United Kingdom in 2012, has allowed for a unique mix of skill sets and perspective necessary to create something truly cutting edge, Molla said.

“The live entertainment industry is innovative creativity at its best. It’s how you imagine, then actualize, what has never been done before. It’s what we ask of our students, to be bold, to see differently,” Molla said.

“The Steinman Foundation is pleased to support this creative and collaborative endeavor,” said Shane Zimmerman, president of The Steinman Foundation. The leadership team at PCA&D has seized upon an opportunity to partner with global leaders in the live entertainment industry and collectively they will leverage the opportunity to address a unique set of workforce demands.”

Hartz, who joins PCA&D from Adrian College, where he was an assistant professor of Art History and chair of the Art and Design department, earned his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Ohio University.

At PCA&D, Hartz has been fundamental in developing the Live Experience Design & Production curriculum and forging the partnership with ALT.
“I’m thrilled to take on this new role at PCA&D and move our ALT at Rock Lititz partnership to the next level,” said Hartz. “The support from the Lancaster community, as demonstrated by this generous gift from The Steinman Foundation, has been overwhelming.”

The first cohort of Live Experience Design & Production BFA students began with the fall semester. Classes are held both at the downtown Lancaster PCA&D facilities, and eventually at the Rock Lititz campus, where construction on ALT classrooms is expected to be completed in time for the Fall 2024 semester.

The new 22,500-square-foot Lititz facility will adjoin the existing large-scale rehearsal spaces, Studio 1 and Studio 2.

In addition to classrooms, it will house production space, digital labs, and a students’ common area, with the option of expanding to the second and third floors to meet future needs.

An additional rehearsal studio will accommodate productions creating shows within the clubs, theaters, and small amphitheater markets, while providing PCA&D students with hands-on experiences in production technologies.

Sojourn Noir receives grant to promote Black tourism in York

Sojourn Noir, a Black tourism initiative, received $75,000 from the Tourism Grant Program of York County to create inviting spaces and experiences throughout York County where Black travelers feel respected and welcomed.

The grant was approved last month at the Explore York Board of Directors meeting.
Sojourn Noir promotes and seeks to bring Black tourists to York, an area with culture, history, and a diverse community of makers, Explore York said.

According to a piece from MMGY Global, “The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities,” Black U.S. leisure travelers accounted for more than 500 million overnight stays, contributing more than 100 billion tourism dollars, or 13.1% of the U.S. leisure travel market in 2022.

That same research shows 42% of respondents stated they felt unwelcome in a destination they visited.

“We aim to create a welcoming haven and a culturally representative environment in York County. It is beyond time to change,” said Joanne Wilmore, founder and CEO of Sojourn Noir

Sojourn Noir said it looks to combat negative historical trends and narratives and create new and positive opportunities for Black travelers in York County by encouraging Black travelers to explore experiences, activities and adventures they have been historically denied access or safe passage to and increasing the cultural competency of businesses and tourism bureaus to provide good experiences.

“We support their mission and vision and look forward to a long-standing partnership with Sojourn Noir as we work together to increase tourism equity and inclusion and create funding opportunities within our community,” said Laura Wagner, Explore York president.

Specific outcomes of the Sojourn Noir project will include culturally focused training; targeted, digital marketing; business outreach; and representation at Black leisure travel conferences.

Franklin County to host new manufacturing operation

A new manufacturing operation expected to create 80 jobs will be built in Franklin County.

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday morning that with support from his administration, Corrugated Partners Group, a manufacturing company that produces materials for boxes, selected Pennsylvania over other states to invest at least $52.7 million to build a new manufacturing operation. The investment is expected to create at least 80 jobs over the next three years in Franklin County.

The operation will be known as Keystone Sheets, and its first location in Pennsylvania will be a 420,000-square-foot facility at 1465 Nitterhouse Drive in Chambersburg. The company will serve customers in the mid-Atlantic region and produce single, double and triple wall corrugated sheets for boxes.

Shapiro said transformational investments are bringing good-paying jobs to Pennsylvania and positioning the state to be a leader in innovation and economic development.

“I’m thrilled that the commonwealth won this advanced manufacturing project over other states and am pleased to welcome Corrugated Partners Group to Franklin County,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Investments like this one support Pennsylvania’s economy by creating good-paying jobs that support our local communities – and we will continue to compete aggressively for great projects like this one as we send the clear message to the world that Pennsylvania is open for business.”

A funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) provided the Corrugated Partners Group a $400,000 Pennsylvania First grant and a $160,000 workforce development grant to train workers. The group was also encouraged to apply for tax credits through the Manufacturing Tax Credit Program.

“Manufacturing is an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economy, and I am proud that the DCED team could assist the Corrugated Partners Group as they establish their first location in Pennsylvania with Keystone Sheets,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said. “This project is creating 80 new jobs and will have a positive economic impact in Franklin County for years to come.”

As a collaborative network of sheet feeders, Corrugated Partners Group produces over 20% of the country’s corrugated sheet requirements. The network employs more than 1,200 individuals across 15 plants in the country.

Mike Ross, president, Franklin County Area Development Corporation said the collaborative efforts of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation and the Shapiro Administration proved instrumental in Corrugated Partners Group’s decision to locate Keystone Sheets in Chambersburg.

“The creation of 80 manufacturing jobs will have a significant impact on our local economy,” said Ross.

Dauphin County to receive more than $2M for sewage treatment improvement

The Highspire Borough Authority in Dauphin County has been approved for $2.1 million in state funding to help pay for sewage treatment improvement.

State Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin, announced the funding on Wednesday.

“Proper sewage treatment is critical to maintaining public health, but it is expensive and requires ongoing investment,” DiSanto said in a statement. “I am happy to announce this state assistance that will allow Highspire to make these crucial upgrades while maintaining affordability for local ratepayers.”

A $274,000 low-interest loan and a $1.8 million grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) will go to the Highspire Borough Authority for the improvement project. PENNVEST is an independent state agency providing financial assistance to fund construction of drinking water, sewer, and stormwater projects throughout Pennsylvania.

The improvement project includes demolition of the primary digester and building, construction of a new digester and dewatering building, a new shelter for die sludge cake dumpster, and two new common wall digester tanks.

Also included are new transfer structures. The centrifuge is nearly 30 years old and is nearing the end of its useful operating life. Due to the equipment’s age, parts for the centrifuge are not readily available and have long lead times when ordered. The results are accelerating costs and unpredictability related to the treatment process.

Affordable apartments in Waynesboro get $417,000 for repairs

Valley Terrace Townhomes in Waynesboro is one of 11 projects statewide to receive $4.3 million in total funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Housing Options Grant Program.

The money will be used to make emergency repairs to multifamily buildings so that 375 affordable apartments across Pennsylvania will remain available for renters, PHFA said.

Valley Terrace is earmarked $417,228 to repair the roof and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in 22 units.

The neighborhood was developed by Luminest Community Development, formerly Valley Community Housing, which began in July 2002 as a startup to develop nonprofit affordable homes in Franklin County.

“Part of the strategy for expanding affordable housing in Pennsylvania is to keep current affordable housing stock from falling into disrepair and being taken out of service,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. “We’re grateful to the General Assembly for making this funding available so that we don’t lose critical housing resources.”

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Area land, water preservation efforts gain grant funding

In support of land and water preservation efforts in York County, the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) announced Thursday more than $176,000 in grant funding.

To build on the work of existing watershed improvement programs, the Codorus Watershed Fund works to develop strategic direction and action plans. The fund leverages new public and private investments to improve the Codorus and its environment. The Codorus Watershed Advisory Committee is overseen by volunteers who steward the grant funds to ensure the highest environmental impact.

“We are pleased to partner with and support organizations that are doing important work in the area of environmental stewardship,” YCCF Board member and Chair of YCCF’s Codorus Watershed Endowment Advisory Committee Matthew Poff said in a statement.

The grants include the following funding and projects:

$150,000 to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for its Expanding Corporate Sustainability Initiative. This initiative seeks to implement best management practices on farmlands to improve the health of local waterways.

$21,700 to Crispus Attucks York for its Codorus Corridor Summer Enrichment Program. This program seeks to enhance summer learning opportunities for York City School District students using the Codorus Creek Greenway project.
$4,980 for the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Greener Codorus Initiative. The initiative is an annual maintenance program along the banks of the Codorus Creek in York City to maintain the vegetation along the creek.

“We understand the connection between a healthy and sustainable environment and a vibrant community with opportunities for our residents and business community to both thrive,” said Poff.

York organization receives WIC grant of more than $500k

The Community Progress Council of York announced Friday it is one of 36 organizations nationwide, and the only one in Pennsylvania, to receive a WIC CIAO grant.

The grant amount is $550,000 and is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

The grant’s purpose is to support efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate outreach strategies to increase awareness, participation, and benefit redemptions in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and reduce disparities in program delivery.

“With the WIC CIAO grant, we have an incredible opportunity to identify new ways to connect families with young children to nutrition support and other resources available through WIC and through Community Progress Council,” Robin Rohrbaugh, president/CEO, Community Progress Council, said in a statement.

“We are excited to share our plans to hire WIC Community Outreach Navigator positions, dedicated to promoting WIC throughout York County, in various languages and locations.”

CPC’s project, along with the new Navigator roles, will utilize a mobile outreach vehicle unit to expand partnerships with Head Start, grocery stores, food pantries and other organizations within the maternal and child health sector to meet people where they are and connect them to comprehensive, integrated services.

CPC’s project supports the organization’s mission to empower individuals and families to make progress in education, income, employment, housing, and other goals to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

“We look forward to celebrating this achievement with representatives from our community and to thank the USDA and other WIC CIAO funders,” Rohrbaugh said.

PA Pharmacists Association receives grant to boost vaccines

The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA) will receive a grant to develop and expand its COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative programs.

The grant from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will allow PPA to work with member pharmacies and community partners to focus on disabled and older adults who demonstrate a high socioeconomic need, PPA said. The amount of the grant will be linked to the number of pharmacies that participate.

The program is supported with funding from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

PPA said it will develop and expand the vaccination education and access in medically underserved counties in the Commonwealth. Local targeted counties include Adams, Franklin, and Lancaster.

Funding for up to 25 participating pharmacies in the target counties will support vaccination initiatives, vaccine clinics, in-home vaccinations and participation in community education events to assist with scheduling vaccination appointments and providing trusted information on COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

“The PPA is honored to be a recipient of these funds and excited to have this opportunity to support our community pharmacies who were, are and will remain the most crucial front-line access for so many of our most vulnerable patients in the Commonwealth,” said PPA Chief Executive Officer Victoria Elliott.

Nearly nine out of 10 deaths from COVID-19 are among people 65 and over, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

PPA said while lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID-19 vaccine uptake has slowed among older adults. With this grant, PPA will organize a robust vaccination program to address this challenge in some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable communities, PPA said.

Community partnerships with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Care Network, Value Drug Company, the Latino Connection and the Pennsylvania Health Care Association will extend the vaccine uptake initiative through assistance with referral services, coordination of community health events and scheduling of vaccine clinics at which participating pharmacy staff will provide vaccinations to these hard-to-reach populations in accessible and comfortable settings.

Bill to upskill PA adults for workforce passed by Senate Committee

Legislation that would create a grant program to upskill adults for the Pennsylvania workforce was passed Tuesday by the Senate Education Committee.

Sponsored by Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Beaver/Washington/Greene, Senate Bill 462 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.

Bartolotta said Pennsylvania’s workforce is desperate in its need for skilled workers, matching the need of adults throughout the state who are seeking to earn family-sustaining salaries.

“My bill addresses both of those needs and also benefits the state’s economy – a win all around,” Bartolotta said in a press release.

Under the measure, the Department of Education would create a program to provide grants to programs that assist adult workers in the workforce. Bartolotta’s bill would also allow providers of adult education additional resources to offer career services, digital literacy, education partnerships, tuition assistance, and workforce/adult basic education partnerships.

Lancaster receives federal grant for pandemic recovery

Lancaster will receive a portion of the more than $1.73 billion in grants to community development financial institutions through the Community Develpment Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

Vice President Kamala Harris and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo last week announced the grant that will fund 603 institutions across the country.

ASSETS Lancaster and Community Development Financial Institutions will receive $500,000 to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and invest in long-term prosperity, according to a statement from ASSETS.

“This award will serve as a tremendous benefit to the Lancaster small business community by allowing ASSETS to continue and expand our efforts in creating equitable access to capital,” said ASSETS’ CEO Jaime Arroyo in a press release. “As our community continues to recover from the effects of the Pandemic, ASSETS is here to support entrepreneurs as they continue to make our economy stronger, equitable, and ethical.”

Harris, in announcing the grants, said, “When we invest in community lenders, we help build a future where all people, no matter who they are or where they start. have the resources they need not only to succeed but to thrive. These grants, representing the largest CDFI grant program in history, will enable hundreds of community lenders to invest in small businesses and entrepreneurs, and also provide home loans for families, financial services for local nonprofits, and capital for community organizations.”

The awards represent an opportunity to accelerate efforts in America’s distressed and underserved communities to overcome the economic effect of the pandemic, said CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris.

“The more than $1.73 billion in CDFI Emergency Relief Program (ERP) funding that is being awarded to CDFIs will be utilized to implement initiatives that, among other things, increase availability of financing and capital for small businesses, promote affordable housing, and improve accessibility to loans that help families make ends meet—all of which were compromised by the pandemic, and are vital to community resilience, sustainability and economic prosperity,” CFFI Fund’s Harris said.

ERP is a competitive grant program designed to provide funding to CDFIs to expand lending, grant-making, and investment activities in low- or moderate-income communities, which have significant unmet capital and financial services needs and have experienced disproportionate economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

It will also enable CDFIs to build organizational capacity and acquire technology, staff, and other tools necessary to accomplish these goals.

The institutions that received grants through CDFI ERP include banks, holding companies, and credit unions as well as non-depository loan funds and venture funds that are designated as CDFIs by the Treasury Department’s CDFI Fund. These mission-driven financial institutions specialize in delivering responsible capital, credit, and financial services to underserved communities.

$1 million to support IDEA program

Girls on the Run received a $1 million grant to support its continued inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) work – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Girls on the Run received a $1 million grant to support its continued inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) work.

Etters, York County-based Rite Aid Healthy Futures renewed its partnership with Girls on the Run (GOTR) to ensure its mission to combat health disparities and advance fitness and friendship among adolescent girls, it said.

The announcement comes as local GOTR councils prepare for their spring 5Ks, end-of-season events that are well known for their powerful positivity and celebratory atmosphere, Rite Aid Healthy Futures said.

“As we continue to empower girls to reach their full potential, we remain committed to ensuring that our programming reaches all communities and provides a place where all participants feel like they belong,” said Elizabeth Kunz, CEO at Girls on the Run. “Reaching girls at a young age helps them learn healthy habits and life skills that will support them into adolescence and beyond. For girls from communities facing challenges such as poverty and health disparities, the need is even greater.”

The $1 million grant will benefit the Girls on the Run headquarters as well as the 50 local councils in Healthy Futures’ footprint, with funding focused on the continued development of GOTR’s inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) work, Rite Aid Healthy Futures said.

Local councils will use the funds to diversify their coaching staff, increase program access to girls of color and further enhance programming that acknowledges the needs and realities of their communities, GOTR said. Funds will also go to strengthening the organization’s core programming and training while supporting sustainability across local councils, many of which are still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.

GOTR is a leader in positive youth development, and its experience-based curriculum integrates running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. The organization currently operates 171 local councils across the United States and Canada, serving nearly 200,000 girls annually.

The latest funding marks the third year of partnership between GOTR and Rite Aid Healthy Futures, the public charity affiliated with Rite Aid that seeks to advance equity and opportunity for children and youth, Rite Aid Healthy Futures said. The grant supports the two organizations’ shared commitment to strengthening and empowering local communities.

“We remain inspired by the commitment of Girls on the Run to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Our partnership will ensure that more girls have access to their innovative programming that addresses health disparities and racial inequities in communities, enabling girls to reach their full potential and futures.”

Gift aids PCA&D’s efforts to transform former night club into learning hub

Former Chameleon Club in Lancaster to become a Creative Hub for Pennsylvania College of Art & Design with a grant from the High Foundation – PHOTO/PROVIDED

A gift from the High Foundation will help Pennsylvania College of Art & Design transform a former Lancaster City night club into a Creative Hub, a technology-enhanced learning space.

The foundation awarded a grant of $400,000 to the college to begin renovating 223 North Water Street, which also has facades on North Prince Street. The building was the long-time home of The Chameleon Club, a music and cultural landmark in the city for 33 years. Prior, the site served as the Fraternal Order of Eagles social club for 85 years.

The college said it plans to honor the history of the building by creating instructional space for its new major in Live Experience Design so students can learn their craft in real production facilities. The High Foundation gift will enable the college to create contemporary, technology-enhanced learning spaces and pursue student housing options.

“Supporting Live Experience Design is a cornerstone of our expansion on the block, but the whole vision is much larger,” said PCA&D President Michael Molla, citing the College’s strategic plan to be a leader at the intersection of art, design, creative entrepreneurship, and innovation.

“As we are located in the heart of Lancaster’s thriving arts community, we can harness the power of creativity and design-thinking and use it to prepare this region for the future,” Molla said.

In addition to fortifying its traditional strengths in majors like Fine Art and Illustration, the college has been developing new curriculum responsive to the needs of the local and regional creative communities like certificates in Data Visualization and Business in Creative Industry, as well as the new major in Live Experience Design.

“We are excited to support the ongoing vibrancy of the creative workforce and the economic impact the arts and culture bring to our downtown communities here in Lancaster. The arts act as a powerful economic engine for the city and our region,” said Robin Stauffer, executive director of the High Foundation.

“We are grateful to the High Foundation as the first charitable investor in our shared future with the city,” Molla said. “We’re excited to keep the cultural heritage of the performance aspect of the Chameleon Club alive as a living-learning center, and the college is committed to promoting a creative economy and culture here and continuing to explore further partnerships.”

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