Dear John,

Another $1 million is making its way to NEPA. This time it's for Project Elevate, which will help revitalize local business in the Greater Wyoming Valley. Project Elevate is designed to attract new businesses and support existing ones through mentorship programs and workforce training.

I'm always looking for ways we can provide federal assistance to promote business development in our community, which is why I fought for this project as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

On Wednesday, it was included in one subcommittee's funding bill for fiscal year 2022. This is an early but crucial step in an effort to accelerate the economic comeback in our area. Next month, we'll vote in the House to pass it and send it to the Senate.

I'll keep fighting to make sure this funding is signed into law and makes it back to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Working parents have a lot on their plates and the pandemic has not made it any easier. That's why I voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, which is about to put even more money directly into the pockets of hardworking families for child care, groceries, gas and other everyday expenses.

Beginning July 15, eligible families should look out for up to $300 per month per child hitting their bank accounts.

This tax relief is a huge win for working moms and dads who are trying to get through the challenges posed by the last year. And it's a critical step toward ensuring our children are set up for economic success. 

Check out my video below for more information on how families can receive their Child Tax Credit:

One thing we learned from the pandemic is that we depend on foreign countries for a lot of things that we should be making here at home. I think we can all agree: America's critical defense and industrial supply chains should rely on American companies.

On Monday, NEPA native and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy Jesse Salazar joined me in visiting Noble Biomaterials, Inc., a company based in South Scranton that produces material technologies used by the U.S. military, as well as health care and industrial markets. 

Workers at Noble Biomaterials gave us great insight into how we can build up our manufacturing base and prevent shortages of critical materials like the ones we saw at the beginning of the pandemic.

Promoting our supply chains here in the U.S. boosts our local economies, provides good-paying jobs and protects our national security. It's a win-win-win and I'm happy to bring federal officials to NEPA to demonstrate how we can contribute.

Be safe and well,