Rep. Kelly presents Gannon University with $500,000 in Community Project Funding

ERIE, PA -- Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) presented Gannon University with $500,000 in Community Project Funding the university received in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. The funding is designated toward the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge at Gannon University (IHACK) Program.

This funding will be used to create a STEM pathway for middle and high school students in the National Youth Cyber Education Program and provide undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering fields, among other initiatives. These programs will improve workforce development and prepare students for well-paying jobs in fields that need qualified workers.

"The team at Gannon University has been instrumental in developing the IHACK program," Kelly said. "Building and preparing a strong workforce -- even before our young people start college -- is essential to any community thriving, and this funding will help Gannon achieve those goals."

BACKGROUND
Congressional leaders resumed Community Project Funding (CPF), formerly known as 'earmarks', for the 117th Congress. With increased transparency and stricter guidelines, lawmakers were permitted to submit specific funding requests during the budget process. Rep. Kelly fielded input from local leaders throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania before selecting these projects. Of the ten (10) requests Rep. Kelly was allotted, eight (8) were selected in fiscal year 2022. Rep. Kelly's FY2023 projects totaled nearly $25 million.

Details on CPF rules and guidelines can be found here.

This funding comes after Rep. Kelly delivered two BUILD Grants in 2020 for the 16th Congressional District, including $25 million for improvements along State Route 228 in Butler County, and $21 million for the City of Erie's Bayfront Parkway Project.