Economic Development Matching Program News Today

The Digital Foundry at New Kensington has been selected as one of four regional makerspaces through southwestern Pennsylvania's winning federal Build Back Better grant initiative. The ARM Institute announced the $1.5 million award to the Digital Foundry as part of southwestern Pennsylvania’s “New Economy Collaborative.”

Two new endowments totaling $4 million will increase economic development in western Pennsylvania through a partnership between Penn State and the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH, with support of the Sharon community. Expanding the region’s innovation, entrepreneurial and business support offerings, the endowments will establish a Penn State LaunchBox and a fund to support business owners in Sharon.

Tom Sharbaugh, professor of practice at Penn State Law and founding director of the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic (EAC), along with his wife, Kristin R. Hayes, have stepped forward with a gift of $100,000 to support EAC student internships, which will be named in honor of outgoing Penn State President Eric J. Barron. The University will contribute a one-to-one match of the gift through the Economic Development Incentive Matching Program, yielding a $200,000 endowment.

The Digital Foundry at New Kensington, a collaborative initiative of Penn State New Kensington and the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland County, is slated to open in spring 2022 and has been named one of seven Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centers through the Department of Energy.

Keiko Miwa Ross, a State College resident and Penn State’s 2020 Philanthropist of the Year, has made new gifts that will fuel innovation and entrepreneurship among Penn State students and citizens of the region. In recognition of her generosity, the University will rename multiple spaces in the Innovation Hub and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.