The state of Pennsylvania is making up to $440 million across two programs to support competitive site development and enhance traffic signal operations. Applications for the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications for the Green Light-Go Program (GLG) will be due between March 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026.
The PA SITES Program accounts for the lion’s share of the to-be-distributed funding, totaling $400 million to help develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within the state. Eligible entities include:
- Municipalities.
- Economic development organizations.
- Redevelopment authorities.
- Municipal authorities.
- Industrial development agencies.
- For-Profit Organizations.
Funding through the program is split across two types of grants or loans: planning and construction. There are no maximum or minimum grant amounts for either type of award.
Planning grants enable recipients to conduct a plan or feasibility study for a prospective site. These sites, should they fit the criteria, would be marked for best future uses to foster economic growth opportunities for redevelopment or new development.
Construction grants and loans provide gap financing for strategic sites and companies that need help in reducing development risk. The funding typically mitigates risk by reducing timelines from the development of public infrastructure or managing unknown development costs.
Eligible projects under the program include those that focus on previously utilized or undeveloped industrial sites. For previously used sites, the project must redevelop, reuse or revitalize a selected site consistent with an existing comprehensive municipal plan and if the site is zoned for development. Examples of sites include former or underutilized industrial, commercial, military, mining, railroad or institutional sites or buildings.
Any undeveloped sites selected for projects must be consistent with an existing plan and be zoned for development. The applicant must also notify the local governing bodies with jurisdiction over the site.
Funding may be used to buy buildings, rights of way and easements and build or rehabilitate essential infrastructure. These include storm water drainage systems, energy infrastructure, sanitary sewer systems, water supply facilities, transportation facilities affecting the site and communications facilities. Additional work may include demolition of existing structures, rehabilitation of on-site buildings, clearing and preparation of land for construction, environmental site assessment and remediation, signage, landscaping and street lighting.
The remaining $40 million scheduled to be distributed will go through the GLG Program. The program will support projects designed to enhance the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals across the state. Applicants must provide a minimum 20% match to be considered for reimbursement. Entities allowed to apply include counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, home rule municipalities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations.
Recipients will be able to use awards to fund operational improvements to traffic control signals with at least a five-year useful life span. Eligible projects include:
- LED replacement.
- Traffic signal retiming.
- Study and removal of unwarranted traffic control signals.
- Monitoring.
- Innovative technologies.
- Communications/connections back to Traffic Management Center.
- Detection and/or controller upgrades.
- Modernization upgrades.
- Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) applications.
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