$250K in Grants Made from Air Quality Fund

Payments made by U.S. Steel will benefit local health and welfare groups

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
February 17, 2025
Posted in: Announcements

U.S. Steel Clairton Plant in a file photo. (Mark Dixon, Blue Lens, LLC, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)

Grants totalling $250,000 will be distributed to local health and welfare groups from a fund created as part of a settlement between Allegheny County and U.S. Steel Corp., officials announced.

And the public is being invited to weigh in on future rounds of funding at two meetings being held this week on Tuesday and Thursday.

The awards are being made from the Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Grant Program, which was established as part of the settlement from the 2018 fire at the U.S. Steel Clairton Plant, said a spokesperson for Allegheny County Economic Development.

“ACED’s investment in these programs is a direct response to the voices of the Mon Valley community. By actively listening to constituents as we developed the application system, sought applications, reviewed submissions, and awarded funds, we are able to support projects that not only improve the environment but also protect the health and well-being of Mon Valley residents,” said Lauren Connelly, ACED director.

An ACED spokesperson said that projects selected address environmental concerns, enhance public and community health, and were informed by community input gathered through extensive engagement and public hearings.

Projects in this first round of funding include:

Valley Clean Air Now, Air Purifier and Education Project: Funding to purchase and distribute air purifiers and hold educational sessions on airborne pollutants and mitigation strategies.

South Allegheny Fire Emergency Services and Rescue, AED Device Acquisition: Funding to purchase eight automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs, for local rescue teams.

Steel Rivers Council of Governments, Community Wellness Supplies: Funding to purchase and distribute wellness supplies, with a focus on promoting safe and respiratory-friendly cleaning practices.

Glassport Community Development Corporation, Community Garden Space: Funding to create a community garden space, including site preparation and equipment purchase, promoting healthier, shared outdoor environments.

Helping Out Our People, Services for Families Affected by Gun Violence: Funding to expand counseling and support services, as well as educational programs, for individuals affected by gun violence.

Rainbow Kitchen Community Services, Public Health and Welfare: Funding to support caseworkers working with impacted communities and to purchase critical health supplies.

Upcoming Hearings and Second Funding Round

To continue fostering open communication and ensuring the community’ s priorities that guides future application and selections processes, ACED will hold additional public engagement sessions. These sessions will provide feedback on the projects funded in the first round, offer space for further community discussions on emerging needs, and outline details of the application process for the second funding round and any future application cycles.

The events this week including a virtual (online) Town Hall, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 (register now); and an in-person public hearing from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 20 at Auberle, 1101 Hartman St., McKeesport (register now).

Community members are also encouraged to provide input through the U.S. Steel Settlement Community Survey.

The second round of funding applications will open March 24. The second round of funding will allow community organizations, nonprofits and other stakeholders to apply for funds aimed at improving public health and air quality in the Mon Valley.

Details of the application criteria and process will be informed by the public engagement sessions.

“We are committed to continued partnership with the Mon Valley communities as we administer this grant program and all other ACED programs,” Connelly said.

The Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Funds were established as part of a settlement agreement following the 2018 fire at the U.S. Steel Clairton Plant. As part of the settlement, U.S. Steel agreed to make payments totaling $4.5 million, with $2.25 million each allocated to ACED and the Jefferson Regional Foundation over five years.

These funds aim to support projects that have a direct, tangible impact on public health and indoor and outdoor air quality in communities near U.S. Steel facilities.

For more information on the application process, funded projects, and upcoming sessions, please visit the ACED website.

Originally published February 17, 2025.

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