The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation received a long term economic and planning grant in the amount of $52,000 for the following counties in the 9^th district: Fayette, Indiana, and Westmoreland.

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission received a grant in the amount of $60,000 for the long term economic planning and development of the following counties of the 5^th district: Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter.

“West-central Pennsylvania is primed for economic development” Shuster said.  “We have a great workforce, an open business environment and close proximity to major economic centers like Pittsburgh and the Washington, DC Metro area.  These grants show that the federal government recognizes our potential and is willing to invest in the long term economic future of the region.”

“My utmost commitment in Washington is to be a strong voice for my district and rural America, a demographic that unfortunately too often goes unheard,” said Peterson, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “Increased and sustainable job creation is what rural districts like mine desperately need and grants like this serve as a catalyst in achieving this goal.”

Both of these grants will be used help local development authorities coordinate to spur job creation, stabilize and diversify existing businesses and increase private investment into the region.

“President Bush believes one way to create jobs is to grow the economy by encouraging investments in local communities,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Sandy K. Baruah. “These EDA investments will implement economic development planning programs to attract new business opportunities and jobs for local citizens.”