$10 million in federal funding for the region will benefit U.S. military, veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced today that the Senate has approved federal funding for several defense-related projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania as contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Act (HR 3326).
“I am pleased that my colleagues have recognized the valuable contribution these projects will make to our nation’s defense,” said Senator Specter. “Pennsylvania is a top competitor for defense projects that create jobs and strengthen our economy and these funds will go far in supporting the brave men and women who serve our country.”
“I am grateful the Senate approved initiatives designed to strengthen our national defense and support our troops and their families,” said Casey. “These projects will help protect and equip our men and women in uniform with the added benefit of sustaining and creating jobs in Pennsylvania.”
The bill must be conferenced with the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President before funding is final.
Funding has been announced for the following Southwestern Pennsylvania defense projects:
• $4 million for the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative in Allegheny County for the development of technologies to help soldiers regenerate damaged or lost cells or tissue using the soldier’s own cells.
• $1 million for PPG Industries in Allegheny County for the development of a non-skid coating to withstand the high temperatures generated by the exhaust gases of modern vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, such as the F-35 and V-22.
• $2 million for Plextronics in Allegheny County to continue to develop new capabilities and technology for flexible electronics. Flexible display technology will allow soldiers to receive information in real time on robust, flexible maps and displays that can be conformed multiple ways while reducing the weight and power requirements.
• $3 million for the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences to create a Center of Excellence for Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement at Fort Campbell. Enhanced screening models will be developed by examining the epidemiological evidence of musculoskeletal injuries, performance-related attrition rates, and the physical parameters identified as biomechanical, physiological, and musculoskeletal risk factors to improve the performance of combat troops.
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