The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is a regional planning commission tasked with transportation and economic development planning and forecasts for a ten county region in western Pennsylvania. Tuesday the SPC held a public hearing to update residents on the first four years of the commission’s Long Range Plan. Several subjects discussed included roads, bridges and transportation where intersections in Peters Township are being reconstructed and Rt. 18 Bridges 1 & 2 over Chartiers Creek being replaced. Broadband was not a consideration four years ago but now grants are being finalized to bring broadband to areas underserved and not served at all because the Covid-19 pandemic showed that education and medical needs are severely compromised if facilities are not able to be opened. Economic development was addressed. The SPC’s PREP program helps small businesses with anything from business development, loans and exporting. Grants for non-profits are also available. The SPC was looking for comment on anything in its region to help it guide funding for projects throughout western Pennsylvania. The public may still make comment. Go to their website, www.SPCRegion.org and users will be instructed how to weigh in and have their opinion heard.