Picozzi Steers $4.8 Million in Gaming-Funded Grants to Northeast Philadelphia

State Sen. Joe Picozzi has secured more than $4.8 million in state grants for Northeast Philadelphia, funding everything from airport runway repairs to school security upgrades.

The Republican from the 5th District announced approval of $4,828,154 in Statewide Local Share Account grants, according to a release from his office. Picozzi said the money is going to "projects our neighbors will actually see and benefit from." He also credited House and Senate colleagues who helped move several of the awards forward.

The biggest awards, per the release:

Philadelphia Northeast Airport, Runway 15-33: $1,000,000
ADA curb ramps along Convent Avenue: $968,273
Jeanes mammography equipment at Temple University Hospital: $812,240
Tacony Boat Launch: $500,000

The grants skew toward public safety and basic infrastructure. Hubert Catholic High School gets $187,760 for perimeter and security work, and JEVS Orleans Technical College gets $362,089 for security system and IT upgrades. Another $300,000 goes to A.T.H.'s community transportation initiative, and Glen Foerd gets $398,479 to modernize its historic Carriage Housing.

There were also some smaller awards stretch the money further. WHYY receives $150,000 to upgrade its emergency warning system, a $98,767 mobile van will bring Register of Wills and Clerk of Courts services directly into communities, and The Career Wardrobe gets $50,546 for a clothing distribution van. Several awards were secured jointly with colleagues, and the Career Wardrobe grant alone carries the names of a dozen other senators.

The Statewide Local Share Account program is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and uses gaming revenue to support community and infrastructure projects across Pennsylvania. Picozzi described bringing state dollars back home as among the most important parts of his job.

The release sets no construction timelines, so the next test is how quickly the money becomes finished work.