This just in, friends: The Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) announced that it has opened the application portal for the first round of funding for the Mon Valley Public Health Fund. This fund is a result of the settlement of the with U.S. Steel for the 2018 Christmas Eve fire announced earlier this year.
"This funding opportunity is an important step forward in improving public health and air quality in the Mon Valley,” ACED Director Lauren Connelly said. “We encourage eligible organizations to apply for these funds and submit their ideas for how to efficiently and effectively improve conditions in the Mon Valley."
Here’s more from a news release issued Monday:
Proposals must be exclusively designated to fund public health and welfare and/or air quality improvement projects that have a direct, tangible, positive impact on public health and welfare and/or air quality in the Mon Valley communities located near U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, Edgar Thomson Plant, and Irvin Plant.
Funds may not be used for advocacy or lobbying, and any entity that has ever been involved in litigation against U.S. Steel may not apply. Additionally, any project that employs or utilizes the services of an entity that has testified or a non-testifying expert against U.S. Steel is not eligible.
To be eligible, applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities that are located in and serve the Mon Valley communities near the U.S. Steel facilities. These communities include Clairton, Glassport, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Port Vue, Liberty, Lincoln, West Mifflin, Braddock, North Braddock, East Pittsburgh, Duquesne, and North Versailles.
Interested organizations can apply via ACED's application portal at https://funding.alleghenycounty.us/. Applicants should select the "Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Fund" application. The application for this round of funding will be open from June 3, 2024, through July 5, 2024.
ACED Deputy Director Simone McMeans said, "We are here to support applicants throughout the process. We encourage anyone with questions to reach out to ACED for assistance."
For technical assistance with the application portal, email askACED@AlleghenyCounty.US. For all other inquiries, please contact us at 412-350-1000.
GASP thanks ACED for the transparency and proactive public communications.