Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES)

The Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) to support the development of competitive business sites across the Commonwealth. This initiative is aimed at stimulating economic growth by preparing sites for business relocation and expansion, thereby reducing development risk and ensuring Pennsylvania remains a strong contender in national business development efforts. The program operates under the authority of The Fiscal Code and is structured with two key funding mechanisms: Planning Grants and Construction Grants and Loans. Planning Grants support feasibility studies and planning efforts that identify optimal land use for redevelopment or new development. These grants may fund various technical assessments, including environmental and geotechnical evaluations, site planning, engineering cost estimations, and financial feasibility studies. The maximum award under this track is $250,000 per project, with a total program allocation of $5 million. Recipients are required to submit final reports to DCED, which will be made publicly available. Costs incurred prior to approval are ineligible, and applicants must demonstrate that the proposed planning is necessary to determine project feasibility. Construction Grants and Loans are designed as gap financing for strategic sites requiring infrastructure investment to attract or retain businesses. Eligible activities include land acquisition, utility and energy infrastructure development, environmental remediation, transportation enhancements, and demolition or rehabilitation of existing structures. There is no cap on individual awards in this track, but applicants must demonstrate financial need, the ability to complete the project, and provide a portion of non-state matching funds. Loans have flexible repayment terms, including deferrals, and interest rates vary depending on the lien position of DCED. Additionally, construction-related grants exceeding $25,000 may be subject to the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act. Applicants must be municipalities, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, economic development organizations, industrial development agencies, or for-profit entities. They must show site control through deeds, purchase agreements, or similar documentation. A competitive review process considers factors such as job creation, local economic need, marketability, and alignment with regional or state economic plans. Projects must also comply with nondiscrimination policies and other statutory and administrative requirements. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and are reviewed quarterly. To be considered in a given quarter, submissions must be received by the last day of the calendar quarter. The application process is handled through DCED’s Electronic Single Application for Assistance system at grants.pa.gov. Required addenda differ based on funding type (planning or construction) and may include resolutions, cost estimates, site information, and financial documentation. Reporting is required annually for awarded projects. For inquiries, applicants can contact the Center for Business Financing – Grants Office at the Pennsylvania DCED. The contact details are: Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225; Phone: (717) 787-6245; Email: [email protected]. The guidelines were last published in September 2024 and remain active for ongoing and future funding cycles.