Gov. Wolf Highlights Significant Infrastructure Investments

Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today shared examples of how the first year of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – signed by President ​Joe Biden in November 2021 – is supporting transportation in Pennsylvania communities.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a game changer for Pennsylvania,” said Gov. Wolf. “This funding is already helping us speed up projects underway in Pennsylvania. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us fix our highways and bridges, improve rail transit, invest in broadband infrastructure, and meet our clean energy goals to fight the damage climate change is causing in Pennsylvania communities.

“Because of this money, we can keep Pennsylvanians safer, support more union jobs, and ensure that Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is ready to meet the needs of the 21st century.”

The BIL invests in various infrastructure types and all transportation modes. The BIL will bring $4 billion in new highway and bridge funds to Pennsylvania over the next five years, and nearly $600 million in the 2022 federal fiscal year alone. These investments are supporting and accelerating projects across Pennsylvania when, without it, cost and supply challenges would have resulted in fewer projects.

Using state and federal investments across the state, through September there were 611 projects underway or expected to start or go out for bid this year. In that same time, 282 construction contracts for highway, bridge, and other improvement projects were completed statewide through PennDOT’s private-sector partners. Additionally, repair, replacement, or preservation work on 425 bridges was put out for bid or completed by PennDOT forces. Nearly 4,000 roadway miles were improved by department or partner crews, including 1,065 miles of paving.

While the BIL is helping to fix roads and bridges, it is also supporting passenger and freight rail, aviation, ports, and electric and alternative fueling infrastructure development. To invest in and grow our transportation network and our communities, PennDOT is also expanding outreach and emphasis on equitable transportation and business opportunities, while continually innovating and finding efficiencies. Local governments and other entities eligible for new and expanded grant programs under the BIL can find information on the department’s page dedicated to these funding opportunities.

The Wolf Administration has made dozens of announcements on the important infrastructures projects that have been expedited, supported by or made possible this year thanks to the landmark BIL:

Roads, Bridges, and Communities

Rail, Transit, Ports, and Aviation

Electric Vehicles

Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Marywood University “Day-in-the-Life” Exercise Science Experience

Marywood’s exercise science department will host a day-in-the-life experience for prospective students on Thursday, December 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Center for Athletics & Wellness on the university’s campus.

In addition to immersive experiential learning sessions in sports rehabilitation and combine-style strength and conditioning assessments, students who register for this free event will meet with faculty, participate in a Q&A student panel, and learn more about the exercise science program at Marywood. Additionally, a complimentary lunch and campus tour will be included.

Geisinger Serves Meals at Drive-through Veteran Appreciation Dinners

To thank local veterans for their service,Geisinger served about 2,900 meals during drive-through veteran appreciation dinners at 11 locations across its service area on Thursday, Nov. 10. The dinners for U.S. military veterans and guests were provided at no cost to participants.

Meals were provided in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Danville, Bloomsburg, Shamokin, Jersey Shore, Muncy, State College, Mifflintown and Lewistown. This year marked the 20th anniversary for the event in Bloomsburg, where it originated before expanding across Geisinger’s service area.

“It was an honor and privilege to serve about 2,900 veterans and their guests this year,” said U.S. Army veteran Chris Grill, program manager of Military and Veterans Affairs at Geisinger. “This event gave us an opportunity to thank our local veterans for all they’ve done to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”

The Wright Center Receives Grant

The Wright Center for Community Health was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation in support of the collaborative Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support program (Healthy MOMS) that focuses on helping pregnant women and new mothers overcome addiction and embrace a life in recovery.

The grant will support working mothers in the Helping MOMS Out of Poverty (HOP) program who need help with initial costs of paying for security deposits, rent and utility bills to secure safe housing, an important step in maintaining their recovery and independently caring for their children.

Healthy MOMS participants are offered a variety of necessary services that include medication-assisted treatment and addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice and a range of other support programs. The program promotes the well-being of both mom and newborn, ideally engaging them in wrap-around services until the child turns two years old.

Launched in 2018, the program serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. To date, Healthy MOMS has supported more than 300 mothers and 193 babies.

“We are grateful to the Robert H. Spitz Foundation for their financial support and the various community partnerships that enable our program to help two generations in our communities,” said Maria Kolcharno, the director of addiction services and a leader of the Healthy MOMS program at The Wright Center for Community Health. “The lack of affordable, safe housing continues to be a challenge for women enrolled in Healthy MOMS. This grant will help women in our program afford safe housing in which to raise their children and secure their future.”

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awards grants to registered nonprofit organizations that support initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeast Pennsylvania. Among the foundation’s four priority areas are “programs that aim to break the cycle of poverty, remove economic barriers, and encourage independence in adults and children through access to safe, affordable housing, transportation, education and other important issues.”

To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has distributed more than $4.6 million in grants to the community. The Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as administrator of the foundation since 2016. Learn more at safdn.org.

For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, call 570-955-7821 or visit HealthyMOMS.org. 

Women’s Resource Center Santa’s Snippers

  31st Annual Santa’s Snippers!  
Join the Women’s Resource Center on Sunday, December 11th for the 31st annual Santa’s Snippers. The “Cut-A-Thon” will be at the Career Technical Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) from 10 am – 2 pm. Professional licensed cosmetologists from area salons will be providing haircuts. Haircuts are $15 and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) toward our work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault from our community.    

Tickets can also be purchased to be donated to a local family in need. CLICK HERE or call (570) 346-4460, ext. 143 for more information, or email peggyg@wrcnepa.org.   Donations can also be mailed to: Women’s Resource Center P.O. Box 975, Scranton, PA 18501 Checks can be made payable to the “Women’s Resource Center Memo line: Santa’s Snipper’s Donation.    

Santa’s Snippers was created by a Senior Vice President of a national cosmetic company. She had a personal connection to domestic violence and recognized before domestic violence agencies existed women would turn to their hairdressers for advice and help. She created Santa’s Snippers as a way for domestic and sexual violence agencies across the United States to raise funds to support its program participants.  

“Today, our Women’s Resource Center is the only organization participating in this fundraiser. We are happy to continue this tradition for 31 years and hope with community support we can hold it for many more years to come,” said Women’s Resource Center, Executive Director, Peg Ruddy.  

“This event would not be possible without local stylists donating their time and talent, along with the support of the Career Technology Center (CTC). Santa Snippers embodies the spirit of giving during the holiday season,” said WRC association member & event organizer, Colleen Pettinato.

VOLUNTEER STYLISTS NEEDED!
If you are a professional licensed cosmetologist and are interested in volunteering please contact peggyg@wrcnepa.org or call (570) 346-4460, ext. 143.  

Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Grant

Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received a grant for $3,000 from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will cover a portion of operating expenses due to the loss of volunteer hours and other COVID-19-related expenses. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation primarily awards grants to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We are grateful for this gift from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, which will help cover unanticipated expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through their end of life journey.

Commonwealth Health: State Approves Hospital Merge Under One License

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has approved the merger of Regional Hospital of Scranton with Moses Taylor Hospital and their respective satellite facilities to operate under one license. The transition is effective on Sunday, November 13, 2022.

Delivering quality care for the community for a combined 233 years, Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton now formally coordinate operations across their two campuses.

“Our boards, physicians and employees are united in a vision for serving our patients and Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Michael Curran, CEO of Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. “Operating under a single license brings efficiencies that strengthen the delivery of care and position us well for the future. I extend sincere thanks to all of our leaders, providers and employees for their collaboration in planning for this transition.”

WVIA Receives SAGE Impact Award for Community Outreach

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announced WVIA as the recipient of the Impact Award for Community Outreach at this year’s SAGE Awards.

“WVIA is honored to receive this award,” said Carla McCabe, President/CEO of WVIA. “We are uniquely positioned to be able to help businesses and organizations collaborate, convene, and discuss the issues that face our region, and we are proud to use our resources to help serve as a catalyst to improve the quality of life in our communities.”

The SAGE Impact Award for Community Outreach recognizes creative expansion, collaborations, or adaptations within a business or organization for the purpose of addressing significant community needs. 

In the past year, WVIA produced over 80 hours of original television content and developed a news department to cover local stories. WVIA serves the citizens of the greater Scranton area by providing thoughtful and insightful programs that bring together area experts, leaders, and change agents to inform and educate audiences about the important topics facing our region and to create a platform for positive change. WVIA focuses most of its creative energy, time, and financial resources on creating these programs as they help further WVIA’s mission: WVIA educates, inspires, entertains and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community.

In the past year, WVIA partnered with over 100 community organizations, highlighting the issues that are important to the people of the region and providing answers and resources to our community’s most pressing questions. WVIA News has highlighted stories of our region and brought them national attention, having been featured on NPR stations across the country multiple times.

Putting together these programs requires a large investment on the station’s part. Thousands of staff hours and thousands of dollars were invested, all with the goal of better informing our region and building connections for greater prosperity.

About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1867, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is the largest business network in northeastern Pennsylvania, with more than 1,500 member companies representing a variety of businesses.  By becoming a Chamber member you become part of a community of businesses that seeks to ensure a high quality of life for all those living and working in the region.

In addition to traditional Chamber services, such as networking, referrals, and cost-saving programs, The Chamber is also the parent organization to a number of affiliates. These affiliates support economic development, provide small business lending services, facilitate leadership development programs and guide workforce development initiatives.

The Chamber and its family of affiliates support our members’ success, creating opportunities for the region and helping business owners and executives address the issues they face each day.