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Understanding PA-DCED Grant Funding Opportunities Webinar

Posted by Tori Morgan on Thursday, February 5, 2026

Quick Facts:

Date: 2/19/26
Time: 10:30 - 11:30A
Q&A: 11:30A - Noon
Location: Virtual
Cost: $0

Securing PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant funding doesn’t have to feel like guesswork.

Join us for a one-hour virtual roundtable webinar featuring three DCED grant program leaders, each representing a various DCED funding program. This interactive session is designed to give municipal, authority and city leaders a clear, firsthand understanding of how the DCED grant process works and providing guidance to the most frequently asked questions and challenges experienced during the application process.

This is not a high-level overview or generic grant webinar. It’s a conversation focused on what actually matters when applications are reviewed, and awarded.

Meet The Speakers

Ryan Emerson

Director of Grants

Ryan leads a team who review and evaluate grant applications to make impactful investments of Commonwealth funds to improve Pennsylvania communities and businesses. Ryan administers state and federally funded programs, including the Pennsylvania First Program, the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES), the Multimodal Transportation Fund, and the PA State Small Business Credit Initiative.

Devin Gray

Director of the CFA Programs Division

As Director, Devin oversees a variety of programs including the Greenways Trails and Recreation Program, Watershed Restoration Protection Program, Solar for Schools Program, and the PA Small Water and Sewer Program. Devin has obtained a Master’s Degree in Applied Economics with a focus on Econometrics and Environmental Economics from Washington State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Economics from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Brett

Program Manager, Local Share Account

Jonathan oversees eight county specific LSA programs and the LSA Statewide program. Collectively, the LSA programs distribute over $325 million on an annual basis throughout the Commonwealth supporting projects in the public interest.

Prior to serving in his current role, Jonathan was an Economic Development Analyst with DCED for over 13 years after joining the Department in November 2007.

Moderator

Tori Morgan, LO

Director of Funding, Regulatory Relations, and Compliance

Tori Morgan is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of diverse experience in compliance management, industrial pretreatment, quality control, health and safety, and regulatory support. A graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, with degrees in Biology and Psychology, Tori combines technical expertise with leadership skills to deliver positive results.

At Entech, Tori spearheads initiatives to centralize regulatory and compliance processes, ensuring clients remain informed about evolving regulations. She leads the development and maintenance of a comprehensive database to track client permitting needs, expands Entech’s industrial pretreatment services, and mentors employees. Her extensive skill set includes supervision, environmental audits, budget preparation, safety management, compliance software, laboratory operations, and her personal favorite—Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program development.

What This Roundtable Delivers

During this live session, DCED program experts will share:

How their specific grant programs work—and what projects are the best fit
Common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications
How communities can better align project scope, readiness, and documentation with DCED application priorities
After the grant award responsibilities- what you should know

Following the roundtable discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A, asking questions directly to the DCED experts about challenges, project types, and funding considerations.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is ideal for:

Municipal, Township, Borough, Authority and City leaders
Authorities, managers, and administrators
Public works, utility, and infrastructure decision-makers
Anyone responsible for potable water, wastewater, stormwater systems, parks, or emergency services and the funding strategies that support them

Whether you’re actively preparing a DCED application or planning future capital improvements, this session will help you make more informed, confident funding decisions.

Why Attend

Municipal infrastructure projects are complex, expensive, and critical to community health and resilience. Understanding how to navigate DCED grant programs—directly from the people who run them—can save time, reduce risk, and add value to your application.

If you’ve ever asked: