PRINTER'S NO. 1252
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
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
DECEMBER 1, 2021
AN ACT
Establishing the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant
Program, 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. ยง 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.
"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.
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.
(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 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
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county.
(3) Purchase equipment, furniture and security systems
as part of a coworking and innovation center in a rural
county.
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.
(b) Prioritization.--In determining the amount of a grant
award, the department may prioritize projects:
(1) That will serve underserved communities.
(2) That demonstrate comprehensive planning by an
applicant that has limited access to financial resources,
including financial resources from local or county
government.
(3) That maximize economic development opportunities in
collaboration with the economic development needs or plans of
an educational institution, county or municipality.
(c) Limitations.--A grant award may not be more than
$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% of the grant award.
(2) For a grant awarded for construction or renovation
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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 where the center is located.
(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 where the center
is located.
(d) Ongoing operation.--Grant money may not be awarded for
the ongoing operation or maintenance of a coworking and
innovation center.
(e) Audit.--Grant money awarded under this act shall be
subject to audit by the department.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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