Report Highlights Pennsylvania Region's Fund Allocation

A recently released report highlights the need for better allocation and determination of distribution for Pennsylvania's business subsidies. The report, entitled "Making Smarter State Investments: The Geographic Distribution of Business Subsidies in Pennsylvania," written and presented by the Keystone Research Center,was unveiled at a conference on June 14^th at Pittsburgh's Regional Enterprise Tower. The conference, entitled "In the Public Interest" included expert speakers from around the region and was followed by a working luncheon. The keynote address was given by Keystone Research's, Dr. Stephen Herzenberg. The report underscores the need for greater government transparency in where it allocates funds for its top loan and grants programs and recommends a better rating system for determining winning bids. My report will highlight give some highlights of that report and what it reveals about the local communities of Bellevue, Avalon and Emsworth.

The report indicates that "older" communities, those that incorporated before the 20^th century, outpace younger ones in receiving most government funds. It highlights the funds received by businesses from 3 major economic development programs, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD), the Opportunity Grant Program (OGP), and the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). It also indicates that boroughs, like Bellevue, Avalon and Emsworth, near the City of Pittsburgh received only 29% of the states total funds. It also calls upon the government to develop better transparency so that interested parties may access it. The full report can be viewed at KRC's website at www.keystoneresearch.org. By far, however, the most useful information presented is an interactive map, available at www.keystoneresearchmap.org, that contains an interactive map of Pennsylvania highlighting each community and business where the monies have been distributed. Users can click on various communities to get specific business information on where were the funds are being distributed and how much grant or loan money is received.

According to the map, the communities of Bellevue, Avalon and Emsworth had no major projects and received no funds from these programs. The next closest community that received the funds was Neville Island Industrial Campus in Kilbuk. Perhaps that is because the small boroughs are not zoned for such a large project, nor have any business plans to develop such projects have been brought forward. Either way, the need for greater transparency exists.

Panelists, speakers and the public disagreed on the interpretation of the data sighting insufficient information. Interested parties may interpret the data however they may wish, either way, the website is an indispensable tool in government research.