PRINTER'S NO. 682
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.674
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, PENNYCUICK, VOGEL, SCHWANK,
BARTOLOTTA, STEFANO AND KEARNEY, APRIL 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
APRIL 28, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant
Program; and providing for requirements and imposing duties
on the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Rural
Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Coworking and innovation center." A facility designed to
provide individuals with the infrastructure and equipment to
participate in an online workforce.
"Department." The Department of Community and Economic
Development of the Commonwealth.
"Entity." A municipality, institution of higher education,
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18 private business, a nonprofit corporation organized for
community development purposes under 26 U.S.C. ยง 501 (relating
to exemption from tax or corporations, certain trusts, etc.) or
a redevelopment authority created and organized under the act of
May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the Urban Redevelopment
Law.
"Grant." A grant awarded as part of the Rural Coworking and
Innovation Center Grant Program.
"Grant program." The Rural Coworking and Innovation Center
Grant Program.
"Institution of higher education." An independent
institution of higher education, a community college, a State-
related institution or a member institution of the State System
of Higher Education.
"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town,
township or home rule, optional plan or optional charter
municipality, municipal authority in this Commonwealth and an
entity formed under 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 23 Subch. A (relating to
intergovernmental cooperation).
"Rural county." A county that is defined as rural by the
Center for Rural Pennsylvania according to the most recent
census.
"Rural municipality." A municipality, located within a
nonrural county, that is defined as rural by the Center for
Rural Pennsylvania, according to the most recent census.
Section 3. The Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant
Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Rural Coworking and Innovation
Center Grant Program is established and shall be administered by
the department.
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30 (b) Objectives.--The department may accomplish the following
objectives when administering the grant program:
(1) Construct or renovate a facility in one or more
rural counties or a rural municipality to create one or more
coworking and innovation centers.
(2) Extend and improve utilities and broadband service
connections to a coworking and innovation center in a rural
county or a rural municipality .
(3) Purchase equipment, furniture and security systems
as part of a coworking and innovation center in a rural
county or a rural municipality .
Section 4. Requirements.
(a) Guidelines.--The department may issue guidelines
establishing criteria for an entity to receive a competitive
grant under this act. The guidelines shall include:
(1) The application form for submission to the
department, which shall include a description of other
funding sources and any additional information required by
the department.
(2) Entities that are eligible to apply for a grant.
(3) The method and formula for determining a grant award
amount.
(4) The reporting requirements of grant recipients.
(5) Additional information required by the department.
(b) Operation.--
(1) The department shall establish operational
guidelines for the effective use of coworking and innovation
centers assisted under this act.
(2) The entity shall be responsible for the ongoing
operation and maintenance of the coworking and innovation
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30 center.
(c) Prioritization.--In determining the amount of a grant
award, the department may prioritize projects:
(1) That demonstrate comprehensive planning by an
applicant that has limited access to financial resources,
including financial resources from Federal, county or local
government.
(2) That maximize economic development opportunities in
collaboration with the economic development needs or plans of
an educational institution, county or municipality.
(d) Limitations.--A grant award may not be more than
$500,000 and may only be awarded:
(1) If the grant program recipient agrees to provide a
combination of funds, land, buildings or in-kind work in an
amount equal to at least 100% of the grant award.
(2) For a grant awarded for construction or renovation
of a coworking and innovation center, if the center will be
open and offered for an individual's use for seven or more
years in the rural county or rural municipality where the
center is located.
(3) For a grant awarded for extending or improving
utilities or broadband service connections to a coworking and
innovation center or for purchasing equipment, furniture or
security systems for a coworking and innovation center, if
the center will be open and offered for an individual's use
for five or more years in the rural county or rural
municipality where the center is located.
(e) Ongoing operation.--Grant money may not be awarded for
the ongoing operation or maintenance of a coworking and
innovation center.
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30 (f) Audit.--Grant money awarded under this act shall be
subject to audit by the department.
(g) Failure to remain open.--If a coworking and innovation
center fails to remain open for the required time outlined in
subsection (d)(2) and (3), the entity shall return the funds
received to the department in a timely manner.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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