PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Shapiro administration announced its first round of awards through its new Neighborhood Assistance Program. The program awards tax credits as an incentive to private businesses to support community improvement projects in distressed communities across Pennsylvania.
Around $36 million in tax credits was recently approved through the program. According to Rick Siger, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, that funding will support 261 community projects around the state.
“The NAP revitalizes and energizes Pennsylvania communities in a way that very few state or federal programs do … by promoting and encouraging the public-private partnerships that put communities on the right track to fiscal health and long-term prosperity,” said Siger.
Sixty of the 261 projects will happen in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Philabundance, the South Philly-based food bank that is the largest in the region, will get $3 million to support its work helping families facing food insecurity.
“Far too many of our neighbors have to make those tough choices. And the reality is that we could not provide them with the food - with the healthy food that they need - without a strong public-private partnership,” said Philabundance CEO Loree Jones, speaking about the impact of the investment.
Food insecurity is a problem that affects almost 20% of the population of Philadelphia. Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler said it needs to be looked at beyond the statistics.
“We’re talking about people. No one here sees any of these folks as a number. Everyone here sees them as a mother, as a father, as a grandmom, as someone’s neighbor, as someone they go to church with.”
Beyond funding efforts like Philabundance, projects eligible for support include affordable housing, crime prevention, education and job training.
“There’s no doubt that these new NAP awards across all of Pennsylvania, including here at Philabundance, will help strengthen our neighborhoods, and have a positive impact on lives all across the Commonwealth.”