Casey Announces $800,000 Grant Awarded for East Liberty Development Revitalization

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $800,000 to East Liberty Development Inc. for its continued revitalization of the East Liberty area.  The project features the building of a large retail space.

“I am pleased to announce this funding for East Liberty Development Inc. that will support their efforts to revitalize East Liberty and bring jobs into the community,” said Senator Casey.  “This federal investment is much needed and I am confident that it will yield positive results for the East End.”
 
“We are very excited about welcoming Target to the East End.  Local access to the goods and services sold at Target as well as the employment opportunities will help continue the revitalization of the community.  The HHS grant has given us the resources to help bring the community to the table to ensure local residents benefit from the employment opportunities being generated by this development,” said Maelene Myers, Executive Director of East Liberty Development Inc.
 
Senator Casey wrote a letter in support of the East Liberty Development Inc.’s application for the award.  Federal funding is awarded through the Community Economic Development Program under the Administration for Children and Families at HHS.  It will go towards construction costs and will supplement an ongoing private/public investment on a retail construction project in the East End of Pittsburgh. 
 
Previous federal funding for this site has been allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) program.  The NMTC is a tax credit intended to encourage private capital investment in eligible, impoverished, low-income communities.  The Senator has been a strong advocate for this program and believes that the Senate should pass an extension of these tax credits in order to create jobs and promote economic growth.
 
East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI) is a non-profit community development corporation (CDC) whose mission is to foster the revitalization of East Liberty, a neighborhood located in the East End of Pittsburgh. ELDI works to increase business and residential development, promote public safety, improve public spaces and create a positive image for East Liberty. 

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