Forest City, IA Rural Development Partners (RDP) is pleased to announce their partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB) to expand healthy food distribution in the 11-county area they serve. RDP will allocate $16 million of New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) to renovate and expand the Duquesne, Pennsylvania Food Bank; serving as headquarters to more than 400 partner agencies and seven Partner Distribution Organizations supplying healthy food to southwestern Pennsylvania residents in need.
The Food Bank’s renovation and expansion plans were cut short when increased distribution needs born of the Covid-19 crisis required them to use capital campaign funds to meet the urgent needs of the community. With necessity to move forward quickly, Rural Development Partners and other investors united with GPCFB to accelerate their aspirations. The initiative is part of the Food Bank’s Grow Share Thrive campaign to improve and expand the facility by 30,000 square feet. This expansion will allow them to increase overall distribution of food by 66%, boosting fresh produce dissemination to 50%, while broadening community support and engagement.
Groundbreaking was September 23, 2020 for these revitalizing changes: (anticipated completion March 2022)
RDP Mission
This project fits nicely with RDP’s mission to provide equity equivalent debt to rural businesses and rural-supporting industries, including distribution and food access. This will be accentuated through greater access to food for the four rural counties they serve. Healthy food distribution to rural counties is anticipated to increase 26% by 2025. The expansion will create 14 new full-time quality jobs, retain 129, all paying above the county living wage with quality benefits. 84 construction jobs will be created to complete the project.
Rural Development Partners utilizes the NMTC program to help organizations relocate, renovate, or expand their operations in distressed rural communities, and is one of the nation’s few rural Community Development Entities with a national service territory. In addition to business/industry expansion, RDP has been instrumental in working with non-profit food bank distribution centers that have significant impact in highly distressed rural food deserts, bringing both high-quality jobs and fresh/healthy foods to low-income communities.
Partnering with RDP
Rural Development Partners seeks organizations that take action to invest in and support their local communities. To learn more about the New Market Tax Credit program, Rural Development Partners, or to view documentary stories about the impact this program is having throughout America, visit RDP’s website. Whether you’re part of an organization considering expansion, or a rural community seeking to grow and provide opportunities for your citizens, contact us and let us help you take the next step.