Dear John,

It’s been a big week for the rail project! As you know, restoring passenger rail to our region has been a top priority of mine since I was first elected to Congress, and this week, we've made some significant strides toward making that a reality. 

Last Friday, I announced that PennDOT has agreed to serve as the lead signatory on the Corridor Identification and Development Program Application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). New Jersey Transit and the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRRA) have also signed on to the application. 

The Corridor Identification and Development Program was implemented as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to develop new passenger rail services to support economic growth. If Northeastern Pennsylvania's application is approved, up to 80% of the funding for this project will come from the FRA.

The application will be officially submitted by Monday, March 27, and I am hopeful we'll have a decision by the end of May regarding entering the Corridor I.D. 

I'm grateful to Governor Josh Shapiro for upholding the commitment he made to me to help get this project over the goal line.  

You can read more about the application for Corridor I.D. designation here. 

Also this week, Amtrak released its study of the proposed route between Scranton and New York City. Some highlights include: 

• $84 million in annual economic impact for our region. 
• An under-three hour travel time between Downtown Scranton and New York City. 
• A proposed service plan of three trips daily in each direction.

Northeastern Pennsylvania’s application was already a strong contender to receive Corridor I.D. designation, but the new support shown by the Amtrak report will help further our success in achieving corridor designation. 

Read more about what The Pocono Record has to say about the Amtrak study here.

We have never been better positioned to connect Scranton to New York City by rail than we are right now. With PennDOT and New Jersey Transit all in and the strong Amtrak report, we have taken a great leap forward.

Thanks to the bipartisan IIJA, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity do something transformational for Northeastern Pennsylvania's economy.

Secretary of Commerce Visits Pittston 

Last Friday I had the honor of welcoming U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to downtown Pittston. We took a tour of Main Street businesses with Mayor Mike Lombardo and Pittston Main Street manager Mary Kroptavich and discussed Pittston’s community revitalization efforts.

Our tour included:

• Pouring a Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day at the Tomato Bar & Bistro
• Shopping for a baby gift at AH Baby + Co. for a new parent on Secretary Raimondo’s staff
• Appreciating local art at Art e Fekts Gallery
• Meeting the owners of Callahan’s Café and Coffee House and Merle Norman Cosmetics

Following the tour, Secretary Raimondo and I convened a roundtable discussion at the Pittston Memorial Library. Area business leaders, presidents of regional Chambers of Commerce, a workforce training program graduate and a representative from the Communications Workers of America Union were invited to share their ideas on economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

During the Roundtable, Secretary Raimondo remarked that Pittston is people’s home, and they shouldn’t have to leave their community to find a great job. I am grateful to have strong partners like Mayor Lombardo, the Chambers of Commerce, businesses leaders and developers working with me to create jobs and new economic opportunities so Northeastern Pennsylvanians can thrive and stay in their hometowns.

You can read more about Secretary Raimondo’s visit to Pittston here.

Coffee Inclusive is the newest place you can get a cup of joe in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This coffee shop employs people of diverse abilities working alongside each other, and it’s the first of its kind in our region. I was proud to join them for their ribbon cutting.

Coffee Inclusive also provided coffee and baked goods for my roundtable discussion with the Secretary of Commerce just a few days after their grand opening. Their team had the opportunity to meet Secretary Raimondo as one of the newest businesses to join the downtown Pittston community.  

This week I toured the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania with executive director Tricia DiBiasi Thomas and other members of her team. They’re doing incredible work to provide a positive and supportive environment for kids and teens to spend time with their friends, stay active and learn skills that will serve them well into adulthood.

Be safe and well,