Regular Session 2021-2022 Senate Bill 0962 P.N. 1350

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1252

PRINTER'S NO. 1350

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

962

Session of

2021

INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, STEFANO, ARGALL, GORDNER, MENSCH,

SCHWANK AND COSTA, DECEMBER 1, 2021

SENATOR YUDICHAK, COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT, AS AMENDED, JANUARY 25, 2022

AN ACT

Establishing the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant

Program,; AND providing for requirements and imposing duties

on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Rural

Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program Act.

Section 2. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Coworking and innovation center." A facility designed to

provide individuals with the infrastructure and equipment to

participate in an online workforce.

"Department." The Department of Community and Economic

Development of the Commonwealth.

"Entity." A municipality, institution of higher education,

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private business, a nonprofit corporation organized for

community development purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 1

et seq.) or a redevelopment authority created and organized

under the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the

Urban Redevelopment Law.

"Grant." A grant awarded as part of the Rural Coworking and

Innovation Center Grant Program.

"Grant program." The Rural Coworking and Innovation Center

Grant Program.

"INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION." AN INDEPENDENT

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, A STATE-

RELATED INSTITUTION OR A MEMBER INSTITUTION OF THE STATE SYSTEM

OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town,

township or home rule, optional plan or optional charter

municipality, municipal authority in this Commonwealth and an

entity formed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A (relating to

intergovernmental cooperation).

"Rural county." A county that is defined as rural by the

Center for Rural Pennsylvania according to the most recent

census.

"RURAL MUNICIPALITY." A MUNICIPALITY, LOCATED WITHIN A

NONRURAL COUNTY, THAT IS DEFINED AS RURAL BY THE CENTER FOR

RURAL PENNSYLVANIA, ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT CENSUS.

Section 3. The Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant

Program.

(a) Establishment.--The Rural Coworking and Innovation

Center Grant Program is established and shall be administered by

the department.

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(b) Objectives.--The department may accomplish the following

objectives when administering the grant program:

(1) Construct or renovate a facility in one or more

rural counties OR A RURAL MUNICIPALITY to create one or more

coworking and innovation centers.

(2) Extend and improve utilities and broadband service

connections to a coworking and innovation center in a rural

county OR A RURAL MUNICIPALITY.

(3) Purchase equipment, furniture and security systems

as part of a coworking and innovation center in a rural

county OR A RURAL MUNICIPALITY.

Section 4. Requirements.

(a) Regulations.--The department may promulgate rules and

regulations establishing criteria for an entity to receive a

grant under this act. The rules and regulations shall include:

(1) The application form for submission to the

department.

(2) Entities that are eligible to apply for a grant.

(3) The method and formula for determining a grant

award amount.

(4) The reporting requirements of grant recipients.

(A) GUIDELINES.--THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE GUIDELINES

ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR AN ENTITY TO RECEIVE A COMPETITIVE

GRANT UNDER THIS ACT. THE GUIDELINES SHALL INCLUDE:

(1) THE APPLICATION FORM FOR SUBMISSION TO THE

DEPARTMENT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF OTHER

FUNDING SOURCES AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY

THE DEPARTMENT.

(2) ENTITIES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT.

(3) THE METHOD AND FORMULA FOR DETERMINING A GRANT

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AWARD AMOUNT.

(4) THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.

(5) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

(B) OPERATION.--

(1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH OPERATIONAL

GUIDELINES FOR THE EFFECTIVE USE OF COWORKING AND INNOVATION

CENTERS ASSISTED UNDER THIS ACT.

(2) THE ENTITY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ONGOING

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COWORKING AND INNOVATION

CENTER.

(b) (C) Prioritization.--In determining the amount of a

grant award, the department may prioritize projects:

(1) That will serve underserved communities.

(2) (1) That demonstrate comprehensive planning by an

applicant that has limited access to financial resources,

including financial resources from local or county FEDERAL,

COUNTY OR LOCAL government.

(3) (2) That maximize economic development opportunities

in collaboration with the economic development needs or plans

of an educational institution, county or municipality.

$500,000 and may only be awarded:

(1) If the grant program recipient agrees to provide a

combination of funds, land, buildings or in-kind work in an

amount equal to at least 25% 100% of the grant award.

(2) For a grant awarded for construction or renovation

of a coworking and innovation center, if the center will be

open and offered for an individual's use for seven or more

years in the rural county OR RURAL MUNICIPALITY where the

center is located.

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(3) For a grant awarded for extending or improving

utilities or broadband service connections to a coworking and

innovation center or for purchasing equipment, furniture or

security systems for a coworking and innovation center, if

the center will be open and offered for an individual's use

for five or more years in the rural county OR RURAL

MUNICIPALITY where the center is located.

(d) (E) Ongoing operation.--Grant money may not be awarded

for the ongoing operation or maintenance of a coworking and

innovation center.

(e) (F) Audit.--Grant money awarded under this act shall be

subject to audit by the department.

(G) FAILURE TO REMAIN OPEN.--IF A COWORKING AND INNOVATION

CENTER FAILS TO REMAIN OPEN FOR THE REQUIRED TIME OUTLINED IN

SUBSECTION (D)(2) AND (3), THE ENTITY SHALL RETURN THE FUNDS

RECEIVED TO THE DEPARTMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Section 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 90 days.

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