Yearly Archives: 2015

Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed $3 million in grant awards to two organizations in his district to support programs and services that will prevent and end veteran homelessness in Philadelphia

Governor Wolf announced today that the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved funding to support a new Building Pennsylvania project in Lancaster County, a move that is projected to result in more than $21.8 million in additional economic investments.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the award of $400,000 in brownfields grants to Earth Conservancy in Luzerne County. The funding will support efforts underway to clean up mine scarred lands for reuse and redevelopment and prevent acid mine drainage going into local waterways

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the award of $800,000 in brownfields grants: $400,000 to the Municipality of Norristown and $400,000 to the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority. The funding will be used to assess abandoned industrial sites in Norristown and Pottstown, Pa., that may be potentially contaminated with hazardous substances so they can be cleaned up and redeveloped

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has awarded a total of $146,290 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds to the Tuscarora Fire Company and the Sheppton-Oneida Volunteer Fire Company

Hunt Mortgage Group, a commercial real estate lender, announced today that it has provided a $4.6 million Freddie Mac conventional loan facility to refinance a multifamily property located in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. today announced that the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania dismissed a quiet title lawsuit affirming the validity of the mortgage with Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) as the mortgagee and recognizing MERS’ standing to defend its interest in the mortgage

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced today that the Borough of Girardville has been awarded a $500,000 HOME grant This money, paired with a matching DCED Keystone Communities grant awarded by the state, will allow the borough to construct a six-unit low-income housing development on West Main Street. The new facility will provide rental opportunities to six low-income families; two of the units will be handicap-accessible.

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the Delaware Water Gap Fire Department with an Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). The funds will be distributed via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Executive Director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. was recognized last evening by NeighborWorks America as a “visionary leader in community development.” The honor came during NeighborWorks’ opening reception for its 2015 Philadelphia Training Institute.

CBRE Capital Markets’ Debt & Structured Finance team originated $157 million in bridge financing for the acquisition of a 29-property office portfolio in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Class A and B properties total 1,611,961-sq.-ft. and are located in Bucks County, Fort Washington, Horsham and Lehigh Valley.

A Pennsylvania man was sentenced today to life without the possibility of parole for torturing, stabbing and dismembering a Los Angeles man in a downtown hotel room, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced

An $8.5 million boost is coming to the Philadelphia economy when more than 2,200 community development professionals from around the country convene in the city for the NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI) Aug. 17-21. The conference is hosted by NeighborWorks America, a national, congressionally chartered nonprofit that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that Neptune Solutions Company, a water treatment technology company serving the oil and gas industries, will establish its new headquarters in Eighty Four, Washington County, resulting in the creation of 30 new, full-time jobs.

This afternoon fired union workers from 2116 Chestnut Street were arrested after refusing to leave the building lobby. With almost no notice, building cleaners, security officers and maintenance workers—members of 32BJ SEIU—were terminated from their jobs at 2116 Chestnut Street on Friday after the 319 unit residential apartment building was sold to CBRE Global Investors for $160 million. CBRE’s property manager, Greystar, refused to hire them

Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, has joined 105 other members of the House of Representatives in requesting an investigation as to whether the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated the Anti-Lobbying Act in promoting and seeking support for its “Waters of the United States” rule.  The lawmakers sent a letter to the EPA’s Inspector General asking that he determine if the EPA wrongfully used taxpayer funds to generate grassroots support for its regulatory agenda, and if the agenda violated the “publicity or propaganda” restrictions in federal law.

“The evidence of climate change is overwhelming and there’s no doubt that human activities are a major factor. Addressing climate change is key for our nation’s economic security, national security, public health and the health of our environment. Today, the President laid out a substantial plan to address the challenges of climate change.

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) today said new power plant emission standards released by the Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) and President Barack Obama would have a devastating effect on the energy industry across Pennsylvania and on local communities. The Clean Power Plan seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. States will be required to meet specific carbon emission reduction standards, based on their individual energy consumption

Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-13) continued his efforts to fight for the environment by celebrating Climate Action Day today. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to release its final Clean Power Plan to modernize our energy sector and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Congressman Boyle fully supports federal action to address climate change.

In a recent story, Money magazine recognized Pennsylvania as the state with the most assistance programs to help homebuyers and homeowners. The article draws on data posted online by mortgage website HSH.com, which ranks the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with Pennsylvania coming out on top.