October 28, 1999 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
October 28, 1999 Press Releases

$500,000 Federal Grant Received For Technology Programs

Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed reported that the City of Harrisburg has been selected to receive a $500,000 Community Technology Center Grant over the next three years from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant funding will be used to establish an innovative new Career Cybercafé for use by Harrisburg High School students and other high-technology programming for city residents. The Café will open in the City Enterprise Zone’s Uptown Careerlink, a one-stop Job Center at the Uptown Plaza Shopping Center at North Seventh and Division Streets.

Reed said the grant funding will provide computers and information technology at the neighborhood level for residents of the city’s federally-designated Enterprise Zone, a specially-focused geographic area encompassing many of the city’s most economically-challenged neighborhoods. Harrisburg was the only Pennsylvania community to be awarded the special grant, and one of only 40 selected out of more than 750 applicants nationwide.

The project will fund a portable computer lab offering courses on job seeking, resume writing, using the Internet for job searches, providing residents with free email accounts, and desk-top publishing throughout the Enterprise Zone. In addition, Cybercafé users will be able to take website design classes, vocational assessments, information technology courses, and web-use training for college, vocational, and employment searches.

Brenner Begins $1 Million Renovation Project

Harrisburg, PA – The Brenner Family of Automotive Dealerships’ continued growth in Central Pennsylvania was well underway recently, as Mayor Stephen R. Reed joined Brenner Dealers’ President Michael Brenner in conducting groundbreaking ceremonies for a $1 million expansion and rehabilitation project at their Cadillac-Brenner dealership on Paxton Street.

The Mayor said the newly-begun effort includes the complete renovation of the existing Cadillac structure and the construction of a 3,500 square foot addition to the existing showroom for Oldsmobile displays, and a new entrance, delivery area, and sales and managerial workstations.

Noting the Brenner Family Dealerships’ continued commitment to the economic vitality of the midstate, Mayor Reed said, “the Brenner Family serves as an inspiration and example for private industry throughout the greater Harrisburg area. Not only do they undertake significant private investment in the many midstate facilities, thus better positioning themselves for business success in the coming millennium, they are also very actively engaged in the civic and social endeavors of the communities in which they live and derive business. They are deserving of great success.”

The total restoration of the building’s exterior and installation of new landscaping will complete the work in early 2000.

United Way Announces Campaign Progress

Harrisburg, PA – The United Way of the Capital Region has announced that it has raised $2,307,019 to date through its annual fundraising drive, 33% of the 1999 campaign goal of $7,000,000.

According to campaign chair Marion Alexander the campaign’s success comes with mixed results. While the organization is grateful for the generous offerings of help and support that have been contributed in the first six weeks of the campaign, Alexander acknowledged the fact that while United Way’s top 12 accounts make up 37% of the 7 million dollar goal, half of those accounts are expected to give less to the campaign due to recent restructuring, downsizing, and uncertainty about their future status.

To alleviate such losses, local organizations, such as AMP, First Union, the Hall Foundation, and the Kline Foundation have awarded the United Way dollar-for-dollar matches for increases of new funds at specific amounts.

United Way of the Capital Region funds a network of 45 agencies and 163 programs in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties.

Giant Food Stores Break Ground at Newest Harrisburg Location

Harrisburg, PA – Giant Food Stores has officially broken ground at its newest Harrisburg location, Kline Plaza Shopping Center on 25th and Market Streets.

The store, which is expected to employ approximately 225 associates, will encompass 60,000 square feet and will feature a full-service butcher, fresh seafood, a carry-out café, a floral department, and a full-service bank.

In addition to boasting 30,000 grocery items, the new store will feature Giant’s Kid City Adventure Club, an in-store center with fun and educational activities for children.

Greater-Harrisburg’s 18th Giant Store is expected to open in the spring of 2000.

Famed Tuskegee Airmen to Mark Veteran’s Day at Local University

Middletown, PA – Several of the fabled Tuskegee Airmen of World War II will add a special, historical perspective to Veteran’s Day ceremonies at Penn State Harrisburg on November 11.

Following a noon “retreat” at the flagpole on campus and the lowering of the American flag to honor all veterans, the flag will be presented to the Tuskegee Airmen. Following the presentation, the Airmen will share their personal stories of World War II with the public and campus community in the Olmstead Auditorium.

Additionally, Ted Clements, a Penn State staffer and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Vietnam veteran, will host a showing of a documentary on the Tuskegee Airmen in the auditorium on Nov. 9 at 7p.

One of the most decorated flying units of the war, Tuskegee Airmen is the term used to describe the black fighter pilots of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, later incorporated into the 332nd Fighter Group, who were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.

Funds Donated to Repair 16 Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project has made a big stride toward restoring 146 Gettysburg battlefield monuments and markers that honor the actions of Commonwealth soldiers in the pivotal engagement of the Civil War.

Representatives of the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Advisory Committee presented the National Park Service with checks totaling $19,450 to pay for the restoration and cleaning of 16 Pennsylvania park monuments. The donation brings to 32 the number of monuments funded for restoration by the effort during the past nine months. The Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project was founded in 1997 by state Rep. Harry Readshaw (D - Allegheny). So far, $40,320 has been turned over to the National Park Service for work on specific monuments and markers.

Individuals or organizations that want to enlist in the Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project campaign should call Readshaw’s Harrisburg office at 782-0411.

City Residents Reminded of Street Cleaning, Removal Schedules

Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed has announced a reminder to city residents of the need to abide by parking restrictions for the city’s year-round street cleaning schedule, which, in the Fall and Winter months, includes leaf removal and snow clearance, as well.

The City’s Public Works Department has divided the city into ten districts, each of which limits parking on different sides of the street for a four-hour period twice a month.

Reed said residents need to remember that the city conducts street operations year-round, removing accumulated debris and leaves in the Fall and removing or clearing snow and litter from parking lanes during Winter months. “It is essential for residents and the motoring public to abide by these parking restrictions so that city crews can accomplish their work,” Reed said.

Residents should check signage in their area or contact the city’s Department of Public Works at 236-4802 to determine their street cleaning date or for additional information.

Agriculture Dept. Offers Grants to Rural Youth Organizations

Harrisburg, PA – Rural youth organizations may apply for direct grants and matching funds to support their educational projects and activities under the Agriculture Department’s Agriculture and Rural Youth Organization Grant Program, according to Agriculture Secretary Samuel E. Hayes, Jr.

“Our youths are the future of agriculture, and we are pleased to offer these grants,” said Secretary Hayes. “The grants will help these organizations expand activities that increase youth awareness of issues specific to the agricultural community and rural Pennsylvania.”

Grants can be used by 4-H and FFA organizations and agricultural vocational-technical classes to fund educational projects, program, seminars, or field trips to increase awareness of agricultural and rural issues.

A total of $100,000 is available for the grant program, which is funded by proceeds from a trust fund through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organizations may apply for direct grants of up to $2,500 and matching funds up to $10,000. Applications must be postmarked by December 3 to be considered.