3 area organizations receive grants

Glassport’s Vina March Senior Center was given $20,000 for interior and exterior repair work.

State Rep. Nick Pisciottano has announced three state grants to local organizations, including $20,000 for repairs at the Vina March Senior Center in Glassport.

“I’m grateful to be in a position where I can help direct tax dollars back to areas that are in dire need of funding,” Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, said in a statement. “There’s a lot of competition for state grants and if local leaders don’t advocate for them, that money will go somewhere else. Whether it’s helping our firefighters or repairing a senior center, I’ll continue doing everything I can to drive funding back to Allegheny County.”

Pisciottano presented the grant money to the senior center Friday. It will be used for interior and exterior repairs.

The other grants included $61,800 to Skyview Volunteer Fire Company in West Mifflin for “training equipment” and $50,000 to the Allegheny County Constable Association for “new equipment.”

“The grant for the constables is especially unique — they’re classified as independent contractors. So, it’s more difficult for them to qualify for grant funding, despite the fact that they provide an essential and sometimes dangerous service for the public,” Pisciottano said.

In November, Pisciottano and Republican Jen Dintini will vie for the Senate seat of Jim Brewster, who is set to retire at the end of the year.