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In this Update:
Transit Retreat in ErieLast week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Transit Retreat held at the Bayfront Convention Center. The retreat provided a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to come together, address common challenges and share best practices. One of the highlights of the retreat was honoring Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority employees who have devoted over 20 years of service. Following the retreat, I had the privilege of joining PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll for a tour of the EMTA facilities. It was a great opportunity to see firsthand the impressive operations and innovative solutions being implemented. Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association Northwest Chapter’s 2024 Legislative Meet & GreetI recently attended the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association Northwest Chapter’s 2024 Legislative Meet & Greet. Hosted by Great Lakes Insurance Group, this event was an excellent opportunity to connect with key industry leaders and discuss our truck drivers’ vital role in our economy. During the pandemic, we quickly realized how essential our truck drivers are when we saw empty shelves and supply chain disruptions. Their dedication and hard work keep our economy moving, ensuring that goods reach our stores and homes. Truck drivers are the cornerstone of our economy. I was eager to learn more about the challenges faced by the trucking industry and explore ways to support these hardworking professionals. It’s crucial to ensure our trucks stay on the road. Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation announces new distillery on Erie’s east sideGreat news for Erie! The Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation (GEEDC) has partnered with This Life Forever Incorporated (TLF) to bring Pennsylvania’s only black-owned distillery to the east side. TLF’s Mishka Premium Vodka will be manufactured and distributed from a new facility on East 11th Street, creating up to 25 new jobs. This investment will help boost our local economy and create new opportunities. I’m proud to support initiatives that benefit our community. Unclaimed Property EventIn conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury, I will host an unclaimed property event on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Erie County Public Library, 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA. Come to the event to meet with a Treasury Department employee who can conduct comprehensive searches for you, your family and your business. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, abandoned stocks, uncashed checks, saving bonds and other tangible assets such as collectible coins, sports cards, jewelry, military medals and antiques. “Free” Computer Security Scan Really Just a ScamScammers are becoming more skilled all the time. They have created pop-ups and ads for a “free” scan to keep your computer safe – some even with a Windows logo – that trick people into paying to fix computer problems that may not even exist. While it’s illegal to lie about finding security threats on your computer, tech firms Reimage and Restoro did that to convince people to pay tens of millions of dollars for software and services to repair made-up problems. Avoid tech support scams by never clicking a link or calling a number in a pop-up warning. Know that legitimate tech companies won’t contact you by phone, email or text message to tell you there’s a problem with your computer. Learn more. Seniors: Protect Yourself from Scams and ExploitationSadly, seniors are victimized financially not only by strangers but even people they know, such as their family member or caregiver. Scammers can swindle them out of their money, pension and even home. A variety of factors make seniors more vulnerable, including when they have recently lost a spouse, are isolated or face pressure to change their will. When they fall higher on the vulnerability scale, it’s even more important to take precautions to avoid exploitation and fraud. To protect themselves, seniors should not accept calls from anyone they do not know or give personal information to strangers – regardless of who they claim to be. Review financial account statements at least monthly and contact the financial institution, credit card issuer or other provider immediately if there are unauthorized charges. Learn more. Grants Available to Address Environmental IssuesCounties, municipal authorities, watershed organizations, businesses and other eligible groups have until June 21 to apply for state grants to address a host of environmental issues. The Department of Environmental Protection favors projects focused on watershed restoration and protection. It also prioritizes ones that expedite on-the-ground, best management practices implementation and develop agricultural erosion and sediment control or nutrient and manure management plans. The Growing Greener Grant Program has helped to slash the backlog of farmland-preservation projects statewide, protect open space, eliminate the maintenance backlog in state parks, provide funds for recreational trails and local parks, and provide new and upgraded water and sewer systems. Make Memories at a PA FairPennsylvania has more than 100 agriculture fairs and events scheduled this summer and fall. At a festival, you can enjoy the commonwealth’s vibrant heritage and support our local communities. Between the food, animals and exhibits, there’s something for everyone. The 2024 Pennsylvania Fair Guide maps out the fairs across the state, broken down by region. Find dates and locations to plan your day at the fair. The guide also highlights 15 fairs that offer harness racing. Planning Outdoor AdventuresAs we celebrate Great Outdoors Month in June, it’s the perfect time to engage in recreational opportunities that allow us to enjoy the lakes, mountains, waterfalls, beaches and forests that Pennsylvania offers. Get a jumpstart planning your trip with information about lodging, dining, things to do, and, of course, outdoor adventures. Great Outdoors Month first started as Great Outdoors Week in 1998.
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