Catalyst Connection Helps Manufacturers Access New RISE PA Grants to Cut Emissions, Improve Efficiency, and Drive Innovation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matt Holjes
Managing Director, Business Development
Catalyst Connection
412.918.4262
mholjes@catalystconnection.org
www.catalystconnection.org

PITTSBURGH, PA – Catalyst Connection is proud to serve as a strategic partner in RISE PA (Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania), a groundbreaking $396 million statewide grant initiative focused on decarbonizing Pennsylvania’s industrial sector while strengthening the state’s manufacturing competitiveness.

Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, RISE PA targets the industrial sector—Pennsylvania’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for over 30% of the state’s total. The grant program is designed to:

• Fund innovative projects that lower industrial emissions
• Improve energy efficiency and modernize operations
• Boost public health by reducing toxic air pollution
• Create thousands of jobs with sustainable wages
• Position Pennsylvania as a national leader in manufacturing

“RISE PA is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Pennsylvania’s industrial economy,” said Petra Mitchell, President and CEO of Catalyst Connection. “It enables manufacturers— especially small and mid-sized companies— to invest in sustainable technologies that will reduce emissions, lower costs, and ensure long-term growth.”

How Catalyst Connection is Helping

Catalyst Connection is working directly with small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across Southwestern Pennsylvania to ensure they can access and take full advantage of RISE PA funding. Our support includes:

• Education, Outreach & Technical Assistance – Explaining RISE PA eligibility and helping companies navigate the application process
• No-Cost Assessments – Conducting free evaluations to identify opportunities for emissions reductions and efficiency upgrades
• Pipeline of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Projects (GERPs) – Supporting manufacturers with small-scale,  yet impactful projects
• GHG Emissions Reduction Audits – Helping businesses measure and manage their carbon footprint

RISE PA grant funding can be used for projects that:

• Electrify fossil fuel-powered industrial equipment
• Implement energy efficiency and process optimization
• Switch to low-carbon fuels like hydrogen or biofuels
• Install on-site renewable energy such as solar or wind
• Deploy carbon capture and storage technologies
• Reduce fugitive emissions from energy infrastructure

A Smarter, Cleaner, More Competitive Industrial Future

As a trusted partner to the region’s manufacturing community for over 30 years, Catalyst Connection is uniquely positioned to help companies prepare and apply for RISE PA funding. The program not only supports decarbonization; —it drives modernization, innovation, and job creation at a time when manufacturers face growing pressure to compete globally while complying with evolving environmental standards.

“RISE PA aligns perfectly with our mission to build a stronger, more resilient manufacturing base,” Mitchell added. “We’re ready to help companies take this leap forward.”

To learn more about RISE PA or schedule a no-cost assessment, visit https://www.wemakeithere.org/rise-pa/.

---

About Catalyst Connection
Catalyst Connection is an economic development organization dedicated to helping manufacturers in Southwestern Pennsylvania grow through technical assistance, workforce development, and strategic consulting. A partner of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Catalyst Connection has supported regional innovation and job creation for over three decades.