The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (Authority) recently announced the award of $204 million for 52 broadband development projects throughout Pennsylvania. The grants are funded through the United States Treasury (Treasury) under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which authorized the use of funds for broadband infrastructure projects targeted at unserved or underserved households
public finance
PA. Distributing $45M in Grants to Municipalities, Community Anchor Institutions to Expand Internet Access
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority is currently accepting applications for the multipurpose community facilities program. Funded through the federal capital projects fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the facilities program will distribute up to $45 million in competitive grants to community anchor institutions and local governments to ensure reliable and affordable broadband…
Pennsylvania Accepting Applications from Non-Profits for $3.2 Million in Physical and Cybersecurity Grants
On April 24, 2024 the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) announced it is accepting applications from eligible non-profits for funding to enhance physical and cybersecurity at organizations that may be at risk for terrorist or extremist attacks. Organizations may apply for up to $150,000 per location, at a maximum of three locations. Each location must…
Grant Funding Announced for Rural Transit, Other Projects through U.S. Department of Transportation
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced the availability of billions of dollars in grant funds for infrastructure and transportation projects, including over $700 million allocated to the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program. This program offers funding for highway, bridge and tunnel projects that provide or increase access to agricultural, commercial, energy or transportation facilities…
The Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on ESG: Preparing for Opportunity
What Is ESG?
The term “ESG” stands for environmental, social, and governance principles. While individuals may understand what these letters represent, many people are looking to understand why ESG is relevant, what ESG means in practice, and how it can be incorporated into business practices to the advantage of the business. In the last several years, ESG…
Inflation Reduction Act: A Game Changer for Pennsylvania Clean Energy Projects
The Inflation Reduction Act, Public Law 117-168 (the “Act”), was signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022, but the impact of some of its provisions is just beginning to be felt. Among those are the substantial federal subsidies the Act provides for state and local government investments in clean energy projects.
Bond Issue Fundamentals: A Guide to the Participants and the Process
A bond issue (a debt obligation of a local government) is often perceived as a mystery for many Pennsylvania local government officials and solicitors. The securities and tax regulations governing municipal bonds have grown increasingly complex in recent years further adding to the challenge of understanding the path toward a successful bond issuance.
In this…
Leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act to Fund Municipal Projects
Updates in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide tax credits as an avenue for funding opportunities for municipalities to make seemingly impossible project possible. McNees invites you to join our panel of industry experts led by attorney Ryan Gonder for a roundtable discussion on:
- An overview of the recent changes in the Inflation Reduction Act
IRS Blesses Current Refundings of Targeted Government Bond Programs (With Limits)
The Internal Revenue Service recently released Notice 2019-39, clarifying the scope of permitted current refundings of bonds issued under special governmental bond programs. Issuers may rely on this Notice to issue tax-exempt bonds to currently refund any bonds that are issued pursuant to such targeted programs, subject to some limitations.
Continue Reading IRS Blesses Current Refundings of Targeted Government Bond Programs (With Limits)
PA Assembly Passes Law Aimed at Improving Municipal Authority Fiscal Controls
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf recently signed into law Act 4 of 2019 (HB 264), which amends section 12 of the Municipality Authorities Act, 53 Pa.C.S. 5612, to establish minimum standards for an Authority’s financial and operating procedures. Act 4 received unanimous support in both the House and the Senate.
Act 4 makes a number of…