Energy Communities AmeriCorps VISTA Bloomberg SWPA Mun HubY1

As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. This VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub (the Hub) is a no-cost technical assistance resource provider that is assisting the region in accessing the once-in-a-generation federal funding available through the IRA and IIJA focused on clean and equitable energy, housing, water, and mobility issues. Launched in February 2024, the Hub supports municipalities, schools, and nonprofits across the 10-county region of southwestern PA to develop, fund, and implement investment-ready sustainable development projects. Our team works one-on-one with community leaders to support their goals, and by coordinating multimunicipal projects based on grant opportunities. By lowering barriers to investment, we champion the ability of our most vulnerable communities to create futures where all can thrive. Our offices are located at the coworking space, Field Day in Pittsburgh¿s centrally located Lawrenceville neighborhood which is accessible via multiple bus lines and bike routes. This VISTA will help the Hub serve Justice40 communities in our region. Focusing exclusively on these communities, they will create community profiles of local priorities and needs, analyze which communities are eligible for upcoming federal grants, and help us build out our network of community leaders and technical service providers. This will help us identify investment opportunities for, support development projects in, and build trust with the highest-need communities in our region.