Senators Santarsiero and Tomlinson, Representatives Ullman and Galloway Announce RACP Grant for YMCA of Bucks County

August 1, 2019

DOYLESTOWN − August 1, 2019 − State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Robert Tomlinson (R-6), with state Representatives Wendy Ullman (D-143) and John Galloway (D-140), announced the award of a $2,000,000 state grant for the YMCA of Bucks County through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. The project includes two capital renovations in Doylestown and Fairless Hills.

The Doylestown YMCA branch construction project is a 25,000 square foot expansion that will include a universal locker room with private showers and changing areas for adults with special needs, families with young children and others who require more privacy, and a wellness center expansion and program space that will accommodate donor-supported wellness programs for veterans, cancer patients, pre-diabetics, young people, and more.

The Fairless Hills YMCA branch construction project is a 48,000 square foot complete renovation that will redesign the existing facility including a swimming pool, gymnasium, welcome center, group exercise studios, classrooms, wellness center, and administrative offices.

“I supported the RACP grant request because the YMCA of Bucks County provides residents across our community the ability to grow as individuals and develop lasting connections with their neighbors. I’m especially proud to have the Doylestown YMCA within my district,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “This grant will allow the Doylestown and Fairless Hills facilities to expand upon the exceptional services our community has come to expect from Bucks YMCA staff and volunteers. The YMCA of Bucks truly benefits all residents of Bucks County. That is why I will continue to work closely with my Bucks County colleagues in the state House and Senate – who joined me in supporting the grant for this important project – in discovering other opportunities to support the YMCA of Bucks County.”

“Thank you, Governor Wolf, for releasing these funds to support the development of a beloved community center, the YMCA of Bucks County,” Rep. Wendy Ullman said. “The YMCA provides valuable services to our local community. Helping the YMCA expand its services will ensure the organization can continue its important work.”

“The Fairless Hills YMCA is one of the most respected institutions in Bucks County,” Rep. Galloway said. “This grant will be a tremendous boost to the critically important work being done on behalf of our community.”  

“We are so grateful to Governor Tom Wolf, Senators Tomlinson and Santarsiero, and State Representatives from throughout Bucks County for their support,” said Zane Moore, President/CEO of YMCA of Bucks County. “This grant will enable our Y to complete significant capital renovations ensuring we can continue to positively impact the health and wellness of our community and provide programs that benefit special populations.”

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. 

To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.

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Senator Santarsiero, Representative Ullman Announce RACP Grant for Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center

August 1, 2019

DOYLESTOWN − August 1, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Wendy Ullman (D143) announced the award of a $500,000 state grant to the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County (PABC) through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.

The funding from this RACP grant will be used to build new instructional labs, as well as meeting and teaching spaces. It will bring the current facility up-to-date with much needed infrastructure improvements and keep the PABC a modern and competitive high-tech business incubator that attracts the brightest minds developing the most innovative technologies.

“This additional investment will ensure the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “In terms of job creation and economic development, the regional impact of the PABC cannot be overstated. The new offices and equipment being provided by this generous grant will significantly bolster the groundbreaking work being done in the field of biotechnology right here in Bucks County.”  

“I want to thank Governor Wolf releasing these funds to this project,” Rep. Wendy Ullman said. “It’s critical that our state government supports projects like these so that Pennsylvania can develop into a center of innovation in the sciences and industry. This RACP funding is an investment in our future.”

“This is fantastic. With this investment, and I do recognize this as an investment, we will be able to discover even more innovations in science and medicine through entrepreneurship and training, then we had imagined. Expect big things from this place,” said Timothy M. Block, President of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center. “The confidence shown in us by our representatives and the Governor, on behalf of the Commonwealth, is motivational to us, in itself.”

RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. 

To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.

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