Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Presents $4 Million for Dauphin County Project

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Presents $4 Million for Dauphin County Project HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell presented a check totaling $4 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds to support the construction of the WITF Public Media Center in Swatara Township. The new facility will secure a promising future for public media in central Pennsylvania by expanding WITF's current programming capabilities with a modern, technology driven facility. "WITF is a mid-state institution. Funding to support this new facility will create a stronger cultural, educational and media base in Swatara Township that will keep jobs right here in Dauphin County," Governor Rendell said. "This funding will allow WITF the ability to enhance its existing programming and technology and continue its celebrated tradition of broadcasting and educational excellence for the Capitol Region." The new two-story, 75,000-square-foot Public Media Center will feature a digital infrastructure with state-of-the-art production facilities and office and meeting space to accommodate the organization's growing needs. WITF currently serves a 17-county area surrounding the capitol region, providing educational programs for children as well as news information and cultural programming for adults. WITF has served as Central Pennsylvania's gateway to the world's news, culture and information for over 40 years and is accessible to everyone through radio, television, print, Internet, educational services and Learning Technologies. Construction of the $24.7 million facility will enable WITF to provide the space to enhance valuable local programming and increase local production, educational tours, student internships, community involvement, and audience participation throughout the region. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects. The $640 million in RACP funding approved by the Legislature in July is a vital component of the Governor's economic-stimulus package, which leverages $2.3 billion in grants, loans and guarantees over the next three years to generate an anticipated $5 billion in private-sector investment to help start new businesses in Pennsylvania and help existing companies expand here. Since February 2003, Governor Rendell has issued a total of $474 million in RACP grants for projects in 46 counties. These state funds are expected to attract at least $2.8 billion in private investment. RACP works concurrently with stimulus programs that are already underway: Main Street program; Elm Street program; Housing and Redevelopment Assistance; Homeownership Choice program; Enterprise Zones; Base Retention and Conversion program; Keystone Innovation Zones; the expanded Research and Development Tax Credit; and Core Industries. The stimulus legislation that passed last spring also included the creation of the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA has approved guidelines and is accepting applications for the following stimulus programs: Business in Our Sites; Tax Increment Financing Guarantee Program; First Industries Fund; and PennWorks. The majority of the package programs will be administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development. For more information on Governor Rendell's economic-stimulus package and Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit http://www.newpa.com/, or call 1-866-GO-NEWPA (1-866-466-3972). CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116. Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116 Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/ http://www.newpa.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment