Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) Planning Grant
🏛 Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Can you apply?
This grant is for Pennsylvania organizations seeking to develop sites for business attraction or expansion. Municipal governments, economic development agencies, and nonprofit development organizations typically qualify. Projects must involve planning or feasibility studies for parcels that could support redevelopment or new development. Activities include site assessment, market analysis, infrastructure evaluation, and development strategy planning.
This grant is for Pennsylvania organizations seeking to develop sites for business attraction or expansion. Municipal governments, economic development agencies, and nonprofit development organizations typically qualify. Projects must involve planning or feasibility studies for parcels that could support redevelopment or new development. Activities include site assessment, market analysis, infrastructure evaluation, and development strategy planning.
Program description
The Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) was established to provide grant and loan funding to eligible applicants to develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within the Commonwealth. The Planning Grants component provides grants to conduct a plan or feasibility study for a prospective site that may include the best future use of the parcel(s) for best economic growth opportunities for redevelopment or new development.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for Pennsylvania organizations seeking to develop sites for business attraction or expansion. Municipal governments, economic development agencies, and nonprofit development organizations typically qualify. Projects must involve planning or feasibility studies for parcels that could support redevelopment or new development. Activities include site assessment, market analysis, infrastructure evaluation, and development strategy planning.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Grant application form
- Site description and map
- Feasibility study work plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from local officials
- Proof of applicant's eligible status
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Municipal governments, county agencies, and economic development organizations in Pennsylvania typically qualify. Contact PA DCED for confirmation of your organization type.
What activities are supported?
Planning grants fund feasibility studies, site assessments, market analysis, and development strategy work. The goal is to prepare sites for business recruitment or expansion projects.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No cost-sharing is required for this program, making it accessible to smaller municipalities and organizations with limited budgets.
How long does a planning project typically take?
Planning projects usually run 6-12 months. Your timeline should be reasonable for completing the study and delivering actionable recommendations.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications clearly identify the site, explain its development potential, and show how better planning will attract business investment to the region.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a clear site description. Include location, current condition, infrastructure, and development constraints or opportunities.
- Show economic demand. Provide labor market data, industry trends, or business interest indicating genuine development potential.
- Align with regional priorities. Reference state economic development goals and local comprehensive plans to show strategic fit.
- Be realistic about timeline and budget. Planning studies require adequate time for community input and analysis, but keep scope focused.
- Include local commitment. Letters from municipal leaders or economic development partners demonstrate community support for the project.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants propose site development without clear market demand or business interest. Applications lack specific details about the parcel location, size, and current condition. Budgets don't match the scope or timeline of the feasibility study work proposed.
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