Strengthening Our Communities: Shapiro Administration Invests $33,750 to help Provide Free Dental Care to Low-Income Residents with Disabilities in Cumberland County and Harrisburg

Support for the project is possible thanks to Governor Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 bipartisan budget, which doubled the Neighborhood Assistance Program's funding to $72 million.

A Gift of Smiles dental clinic is one of 218 NAP second-round award recipients across the Commonwealth, reinforcing the Shapiro Administration's commitment build vibrant and resilient regions to help our communities flourish, boost the economy, and create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians.

Wormleysburg, PA - Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the Shapiro Administration's $33,750 investment in the A Gift of Smiles program during a tour of its newly opened dental clinic in Lemoyne. The clinic provides free dental care to low-income residents with disabilities who live in Cumberland County and Harrisburg. The funding is supported through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), which provides tax credits to private businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations' efforts to support neighborhoods and communities across Pennsylvania.

Governor Shapiro's bipartisan 2024-25 budget doubled the funding for the NAP from $36 million to $72 million, allowing for two rounds of awards. The recently announced second round of awards will support 218 nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth. The first round was announced by Secretary Siger in September 2024.

Since taking office two years ago, Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration have focused on investing in our communities to help make Pennsylvania a global leader in innovation, job creation, and economic development.

"The goal of the Neighborhood Assistance Program is to strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians," said Secretary Siger. "I'm thrilled to visit the new dental clinic opened by A Gift of Smiles to celebrate this award, which will help to ensure the health and safety of adults and children with disabilities in Cumberland County and the Harrisburg area."

Of the 218 organizations and developers receiving awards through NAP, 35 community investments are being made in the central region.

"The A Gift of Smiles Dental Clinic is a vital step toward ensuring that our most vulnerable residents have access to the essential dental care they deserve," said Representative Nathan Davidson. "This year's doubling of Neighborhood Assistance Program awards shows Pennsylvania's commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities and ensuring better health and quality of life for our neighbors in need."

"This NAP funding will enable the A Gift Of Smiles clinic to provide care to those in need by providing the clinic with needed equipment to provide community members with free dental care,' said Dr. Dwight Ashby, DDS, Founder, A Gift Of Smiles. "A Gift of Smiles is deeply grateful to participating local businesses including Alba Orthodontics, Fields Family Dentistry, Mid Penn Bank, and MKL Orthodontics, and the Shapiro Administration who made the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit program funding possible."

"Mid Penn Bank is proud to have the opportunity to support Dr. Ashby's inspiring work at A Gift of Smiles through the Neighborhood Assistance Program," said Dawn Spahr, Director of CRA/Community Impact, Mid Penn Bank. "Partnering with DCED through NAP funding is vital to our mission of critically serving and supporting all of our customers and communities, and we look forward to continuing our investment in organizations doing work to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians."

The NAP has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP). More information is available on the NAP impact brochure.

Governor Shapiro's Record of Delivering for Economic Development

Governor Shapiro has had many major economic development successes at the midway point of his first term including:

• Creating the first statewide economic development strategy in nearly two decades with a focus on five key industry sectors: agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and robotics and technology.
• Securing $500 million in state funds to significantly expand the PA SITES program to develop shovel-ready sites and bring more commercial and industrial sites to Pennsylvania, building on the success of the pilot program that awarded $10.6 million to seven projects.
• Creating the new Main Street Matters program and securing $20 million to fund it and support downtowns, main streets, and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Expanding opportunities for small, minority-owned businesses by securing a $20 million investment for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program in his first and second budgets.

Governor Shapiro: Two Years of G-S-D

As Governor Shapiro marks two years in office, his Administration is continuing to focus on innovation, economic development, and our economy. The Shapiro Administration's commitment to investing in our businesses, communities, and workforce is positioning Pennsylvania to be a global economic development leader while opening the doors of opportunity.

Visit Governor Shapiro's Accomplishments website to explore the Administration's interactive midterm report and download a detailed PDF overview of accomplishments.

For more information about the Neighborhood Assistance Program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Backover, [email protected] or 717.418.4014

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