Press Room

New Brownsville Mural to Be Celebrated This Saturday
Honors the Community’s Musical Legacy

Created in Partnership with Rivers of Steel and the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts

Homestead, PA (October 31, 2024)—Rivers of Steel is excited to announce the installation of a new mural in the community of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, created by Ohio-based artist Atalie Gagnet with support from local residents and developed in partnership with the Mon Valley Academy of the Arts (MVAA) and Brownsville Borough.

A celebration to recognize this new mural will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the mural’s location at 113 Brownsville Avenue, Brownsville, PA, 15417.
The mural commemorates numerous natives of Brownsville who achieved success as renowned musicians on a national and global scale.

The celebration will include performances by the MVAA Regimental Fife and Drum Unit and VoiceZ on Fire show choir, and will include remarks from MVAA CEO and President Annette Buffer and Rivers of Steel’s Creative Leadership Program Coordinator Ashley Kyber.

The mural concept was conceived by and implemented with local community members participating in Rivers of Steel’s Creative Leadership Program, a three-year program that works with select Heritage Partner communities on a range of creative projects, professional development, best practices, consulting, and administrative and financial support to help kick-start creative placemaking and heritage tourism in their communities.

Working directly with Rivers of Steel staff members Ashley Kyber and Jon Engel, participants worked together throughout 2024 on a range of events and public art concepts proposed for the downtown area of Brownsville.
Atalie Gagnet was selected to create the mural and worked with local youth, artists, and residents interested in learning the process of designing and installing a large-scale mural. Her work brings vibrant public art to life through custom murals that transform and connect communities, drawing from her fine arts training and hands-on painting expertise. For this project, she collaborated closely with residents to create an accessible mural that reflects and enriches Brownsville’s unique heritage.

The mural honors musicians—past and present—whose talents have contributed to Brownsville’s legacy. Depicted in the mural are: Samuel “Sammy” J. Bill Jr., Vincent “Vinnie” Peter Colaiuta, Jeff Lashway, Danny Leoni, Jerry Leoni, John Gresh, Cheryl E. Hardwick (aka Quack Moore), Van Ross Redding, and Mark A. Smith. Read more about each musician here.
Atalie Gagnet was assisted by local artists, including Ashley Kyber, Ben Nicholson, Joe Phillips, Paula Romanishin, Shawn Rouzio, Angela Schnupp, Cadence Schnupp, Dakota Schnupp, Mike “Sharkey” Schutte, Jaime Ursic, Hope Yeardle, and community members who shared their thoughts and time throughout the process.

The Creative Leadership Program is part of a regional initiative called Partners for Creative Economy, which has received support from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ Creative Communities Initiative, and the National Park Foundation.

About Partners for Creative Economy

Partners for Creative Economy is a long-term vision for the future of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, stretching across eight counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. The vision unites Rivers of Steel’s cross-sectoral approach to placemaking with an integrated strategy that incentivizes partnership. Its goal is to build up local leaders and invest in the future success of the region’s cultural and heritage assets through a range of promotional and professional development strategies, workforce development, technical assistance, and funding. Through this work, Rivers of Steel invests in the capacity of each heritage partner organization and municipality to help accomplish local goals and reach their specific growth potential, ultimately yielding the type of collective economic and community growth the region requires.

About Rivers of Steel
Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Through its attractions, programs, and partnerships, Rivers of Steel champions the region’s industrial and cultural heritage to support economic revitalization throughout the eight counties of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area by working to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.

About the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

This eight-county region is one of 62 designated National Heritage Areas designated by the U.S. Congress and one of 12 Pennsylvania State Heritage Areas. A National Heritage Area is a place of national significance to America. For Rivers of Steel, Congress recognized the industrial and cultural heritage of southwestern Pennsylvania. Through a public-private partnership with the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rivers of Steel supports heritage conservation, heritage tourism, and outdoor recreation as a means to foster economic redevelopment and enhance cultural engagement.

Rivers of Steel | The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead PA 15120

riversofsteel.com

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Rivers of Steel 2024 Mini-Grant Program Applications Available

Homestead, PA (October 1, 2024)—Rivers of Steel is now accepting applications for its Mini-Grant Program, which assists heritage-related sites and organizations, as well as municipalities, within the borders of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The Mini-Grants may be used to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives that are consistent with the mission and vision outlined in Rivers of Steel’s Management Action Plan. The Mini-Grant program is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, via DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program and the Heritage Areas Program Fund.

Proposals that increase heritage tourism, enhance preservation efforts, involve the stewardship of natural resources, encourage outdoor recreation and/or include collaborative partnerships are strongly encouraged.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT

Grant Awards Announced: January 2025, anticipated.

Rivers of Steel works to conserve the industrial and cultural heritage that defines southwestern Pennsylvania. Through its Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area program, Rivers of Steel champions the region’s natural, cultural, educational, recreational, and industrial resources as key components for preserving the region’s heritage, focusing on developing a sense of place, as well as contributing to the economic vibrancy of the region’s citizens and communities.

Applications are ranked using the following criteria: 1) a detailed and complete project narrative, 2) budget, 3) alignment for heritage tourism development, 4) and project outcomes.

In previous mini-grant cycles, special consideration has been given to organizations that are black- and/or minority-led organizations or organizations that primarily serve BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) audiences and communities. Rivers of Steel reiterates our long-held belief in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and strengthens our commitment to fighting systemic racism and discrimination against people of color amidst the nationwide call for ending racism.

Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status, local governments and educational institutions are all eligible for the Mini-Grant Program. All projects must be within or across Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, or Westmoreland Counties and have a significant connection to the mission of Rivers of Steel. Grant requests for a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000 will be considered. Applicants must match (at a 1:1 ratio) these grant funds with additional funding and/or pre-approved eligible non-cash (in-kind / volunteer) services.

More information and the application can be downloaded here (Word document). Applicants will also need to download the budget worksheet here (Excel document).

Questions? Join a discussion via Zoom on October 10 at 11:00 a.m. Use this link to join.

About Rivers of Steel
Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of our region’s industrial and cultural heritage by offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization throughout the eight counties of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area by working to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.

About the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

This eight-county region is one of 62 designated National Heritage Areas designated by the U.S. Congress and one of 12 Pennsylvania State Heritage Areas. A National Heritage Area is a place of national significance to America. For Rivers of Steel, Congress recognized the industrial and cultural heritage of southwestern Pennsylvania. Through a public-private partnership with the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rivers of Steel supports heritage conservation, heritage tourism, and outdoor recreation as a means to foster economic redevelopment and enhance cultural engagement.

Contact Ryan Henderson by emailing rhenderson@riversofsteel.com.

Rivers of Steel | The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead PA 15120

riversofsteel.com

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Rivers of Steel is Seeking a President and CEO

Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation is seeking a dynamic and visionary President & Chief Executive Officer who will continue to grow the organization strategically and programmatically while enthusiastically serving the mission.

As the chief administrative officer, the President & CEO will lead the management entity of the Rivers of Steel National and State Heritage Area, as designated by the United States Congress and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Accountable to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will oversee all aspects of Rivers of Steel’s operations, facilities, office, and staff. The President & CEO will play a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission and strategic plans, focusing on conservation, preservation, education, tourism, and economic development.

A highly visible leader, the incoming executive will also be charged with cultivating and maintaining the many relationships (community, political, philanthropic) that are critical to the continuing success of the organization. As Rivers of Steel continues their successful Carrie On! Capital Campaign to fully purchase and reinvigorate the Carrie Blast Furnaces site, it is critical that the new President & CEO be an accomplished and savvy fundraiser, able to raise support for the organization’s programs and projects while diversifying funding streams.

See the full job description here. 

Application Instructions

Rivers of Steel has retained Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change process. Specific questions related to the position may be emailed to Michelle Pagano Heck, President, at Michelle@NonprofitTalent.com. Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Nonprofit Talent, and do not contact Rivers of Steel.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON OCTOBER 30, 2024

Rivers of Steel is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring, transferring, promoting, terminating, paying, training, benefits or any other actions affecting employees. Rivers of Steel does not make any personnel decisions based on an employee’s race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, veteran’s status, non-job related disability or handicap, or other prohibited criteria as these terms are used under applicable law. Rivers of Steel abides by applicable federal, state, and local laws that govern human rights in the employment process.

The 2024 Festival of Combustion at the Carrie Blast Furnaces

Rivers of Steel’s signature event celebrates industrial arts and American crafts

Homestead, PA (September 4, 2024)—Rivers of Steel’s signature event, the Festival of Combustion, presented by United States Steel, returns to the Carrie Blast Furnaces on October 5, from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. with new activities, performances, and collaborators.

This one-of-a-kind extravaganza attracts thousands of visitors of all ages who join in this celebration of industrial arts and American crafts through hands-on activities, trade demonstrations, tours, live music, fireworks, and more!

The spirit of the festival takes its inspiration from the iron-making legacy of this National Historic Landmark—embodied by a deftly orchestrated iron pour featuring Rivers of Steel’s metal arts crew working with visiting artists from across the country, who cast artworks molded in the days preceding the event. A secondary aluminum pour casts scratch molds carved by festival participants!

Additional demonstrations include glassblowing with the Pittsburgh Glass Center, welding with Patrick Camut Fabrication, blacksmithing with Rivers of Steel, power hammer forging with the Center for Metal Arts, and a performative wood-fired ceramic reveal at twilight with Talon Smith.

“The Festival of Combustion has grown so much over the years, and we are particularly excited to welcome more than 50 collaborators in 2024,” said Chris McGinnis, senior director of programs & regional partnerships for Rivers of Steel. “So much of what makes this event special comes from the many friends and partners who bring their unique and creative work to Carrie Blast Furnaces each year. We are thrilled to have the LIGHT Educational Initiative back during the workshop period and welcome newcomers like Manchester Craftsmen Guild into our Festival of Combustion community. Center for Metal Arts will be joining us for the first time all the way from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and I can’t think of a better partner in the metal arts to help showcase the power of industrial arts!”

Beyond the metal pours and demonstrations, there are even more performances to see. On the music stage, Ames Harding and the Mirage, Tom Breiding and Union Railroad, and The Polkamaniacs will keep festival-goers entertained. Pop-up performances by Lovely Lady Lydia Artistry offer up flame performances and circus arts throughout the evening.

While there is plenty to see at the Festival of Combustion, there is even more to do!

Now in its third year, the Heritage Craft Tent is presented by West Overton Village, who will offer educational rye whiskey tastings for adults and interactive activities for kids! Touchstone Center for Crafts, the Bradford House Historical Association, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, and the Society for the Preservation of the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka will be joining West Overton in offering hands-on cultural heritage engagements.

For those really looking to get crafty, there are a half dozen more activities, including mosaics with The Ruins Project, jewelry-making with the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media, raku-fired ceramics with Ton Pottery, STEAM crafts with Assemble PGH, a “Punk Rock Corner” with LIGHT Education Initiative, and Guild on the Go with Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. MCG and LIGHT are new to the festival this year!

To accommodate more tour-goers than in prior years, Rivers of Steel is offering self-paced tours of the landmark furnaces with tour guides stationed throughout, paired with an “Ask a Tour Guide” information tent near the hub of the activities. This year Rivers of Steel is also celebrating the tenth anniversary of Casting the Iron Garden—an event that created iron plaques describing the flora of the nature-reclaimed space on the eastern edge of the grounds. Originally developed in 2014 by artists Addy Smith-Reiman and Josh Reiman, the project was completed with the help of the Penn State Master Gardeners who will attend the Festival to help share the story of this exciting project!

For the adventurous in the crowd, Xpogo will provide instruction and free-to-use pogo sticks for all skill levels and ages, and KSD Studios are offering affordable tattoos.

Craft beer and cocktails, food trucks, and a maker marketplace with more than a dozen regional artisans will add to the festival atmosphere. To cap off the night, Rivers of Steel will light up the Mon Valley with a fireworks display above the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

To keep the event affordable for families, tickets for adults are only $20.00 in advance, and admission is free for those under age 18. Live demos, performances, marketplace admission, and workshop activities are all included in the event price. Free parking is available on the grounds. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

The Festival of Combustion is presented by United States Steel. Additional sponsorship has been provided by West Overton Village and Jackson Welding Supply Co., Inc., with media sponsorship from NEXTpittsburgh. Stop by to visit our sponsors at their information tents!

Tickets can be purchased at here.

About Rivers of Steel

Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of our region’s industrial and cultural heritage through its historical and 21st-century attractions―offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Behind the scenes, Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization—working at the grassroots level to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.

Contact Carly McCoy at 412.464.4020, ext. 243, or by emailing cmccoy@riversofsteel.com.

Rivers of Steel   |   The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Ave, Homestead PA 15120

riversofsteel.com

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The Maker Marketplace at the Festival of Combustion

Be Part of the Festival of Combustion

Rivers of Steel is seeking vendors for its Maker Marketplace during the 2024 Festival of Combustion. 

Application Instructions

To apply, download, complete, and return the Marketplace Vendor Application and Participation Agreement by August 23, 2024, according to the information on the form.

Public Notice

Homestead, PA (June 26, 2024)—The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation (RSHC), in Homestead, Pennsylvania, a Challenge Infrastructure and Capacity Building grant (CHA-286629) to restore the Carrie Blast Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark.

Rivers of Steel Awards Eleven Mini Grants

Funding for local nonprofits provides $60,000 for heritage tourism,
community development, and placemaking initiatives

Homestead, PA (April 17, 2024)—Rivers of Steel recently awarded $60,000 to eleven nonprofits and community organizations within the eight-county region of southwestern Pennsylvania that the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area represents.

The Mini-Grant program assists heritage-related sites and organizations as well as municipalities within the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives.

Funded projects support heritage tourism, enhance preservation efforts, involve the stewardship of natural resources, encourage outdoor recreation, and include collaborative partnerships. Through these efforts, Rivers of Steel seeks to identify, conserve, promote, and interpret the industrial and cultural heritage that defines southwestern Pennsylvania.

Mini-Grants were awarded to:

Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association—$9,000 to support the development of a management plan for Allegheny River Boulevard that will inform the communities of Pittsburgh, Penn Hills, Verona, and Oakmont about how to best preserve, rehabilitate, and improve the aesthetic and historical qualities of this scenic byway, which was built during the City Beautiful Movement in the 1930s.

Battle of Homestead Foundation—$5,000 for the digitization of the organization’s archive, including safe storage, conservation, arrangement, box-level descriptions, and the online publication of the digitized material with the Pennsylvania Power Library system.

Braddock’s Battlefield History Center—$2,214 for the production tourism rack cards that will be distributed at PA Welcome Centers and French & Indian War / mid-eighteenth-century historical sites.

Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance—$3,000 for the redesign of a detailed trail guide and map highlighting designated trailheads, points of interest, and safety, etiquette, and other trail information for riders on the emerging 270-mile trail system.

Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh—$10,000 for the creation of an outdoor mural on the Philippine Center that showcases the diaspora of the Asian immigrant population that celebrates the cultural tapestry of the region while creating a dynamic landmark.

Fort Ligonier Association—$2,525 for the creation of six authentic historical outfits for interpreters that expand representation, including three Virginia regiment soldiers, two female camp followers, and a French marine.

Friends of the Neill Log House—$4,000 to plan and install a period garden on the property of the Neill Log House, the oldest domestic log structure in Pittsburgh, and to develop written materials, K – 12 curriculum content, docent scripts, and multimedia interactions for audiences to understand the life and times of the Neill family.

Friends of the Riverfront—$5,000 for improvements and repairs to the signage along the Three Rivers Heritage & Water Trail, including engaging a consultant to assist in creating more inclusive and culturally responsive interpretation, along with the redesign and production of trail maps.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater—$9,261 for the production upgrades to the Gallery KST & Lounge, including speakers, lighting, risers, etc., that will expand and attract new production partners and audiences.

Neville House Associates—$5,000 for the historic restoration and preservation of the covered porch at Woodville, the John & Presley Neville home, one of southwestern Pennsylvania’s oldest surviving homes and the site of a pivotal skirmish in the infamous Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s.

Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka—$5,000 to support the expansion of the Gledaj! Sketching Sessions, workshops led by local artists, and a culminating exhibition of works created of iconic locations in Pittsburgh, inspired by the work of Maxo Vanka.

The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is one of twelve supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Funding is provided via DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program and the Environmental Stewardship Fund to Rivers of Steel, which administers the Mini-Grant program.

As part of its ongoing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion efforts, Rivers of Steel gave special consideration to black- or minority-led organizations and organizations that serve a majority BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) audience and communities. Rivers of Steel is committed to working with organizations who share our long-held belief in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and is committed to fighting systemic racism and discrimination against people of color.

About Rivers of Steel

Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of our region’s industrial and cultural heritage through its historical and 21st-century attractions―offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Behind the scenes, Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization—working at the grassroots level to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.

About the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

This eight-county region is one of 62 National Heritage Areas designated by the U.S. Congress and one of 12 State Heritage Areas. A National Heritage Area is a place of national significance to America. For Rivers of Steel, Congress recognized the industrial and cultural heritage of southwestern Pennsylvania. Through a public-private partnership with the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rivers of Steel supports heritage conservation, heritage tourism, and outdoor recreation as a means to foster economic redevelopment and enhance cultural engagement.

Contact Carly McCoy at 412.464.4020, ext. 243 or by emailing cmccoy@riversofsteel.com.

Rivers of Steel   |   The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Ave, Homestead PA 15120

riversofsteel.com

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Rivers of Steel Announces Folk Arts Grant Opportunity

Call for applications for the 2024 – 2025 Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Homestead, PA (April 9, 2024)—Rivers of Steel is excited to announce the official call for applications for the 2024 – 2025 Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grants through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Open to folk and traditional artists from across the state of Pennsylvania, these grants provide funding over a one-year period to a partnership between a master artist and a qualified apprentice, enabling them to work together for in-depth learning that encompasses the acquisition of techniques and artistry as well as the context of the culture. Apprenticeships are offered annually in both performing and craft traditions.

Interested artists can read more about the grants guidelines and download an application here. All applications must be submitted to Dana Payne at danpayne@pa.gov by April 16, 2024.

As the Folk and Traditional Arts Partner Organization representing PA Region 14, Rivers of Steel is happy to work with artists residing in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, or Washington counties who are interested in submitting an application for this program. Artists living in counties outside of this region can find their representing organization here.

Rivers of Steel has been a PA Folk Arts partner for two decades, helping to celebrate and conserve this region’s diverse cultural heritage. This system of local and regional organizations convened under the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts forms a mutually supportive network specializing in folk and traditional arts.

Current partnership organizations, including Rivers of Steel, collectively serve 40 counties by promoting the creation and documentation of folk art; engaging the public in understanding the quality, breadth, and diversity of folk and traditional arts across the state; conducting critical discovery fieldwork in under-represented communities; and providing technical assistance for folk and traditional artists through workshops and gatherings.

About Rivers of Steel

Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of our region’s industrial and cultural heritage through its historical and 21st-century attractions―offering unique experiences via tours, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Behind the scenes, Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization—working at the grassroots level to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.

Contact Carly McCoy at 412.464.4020, ext. 243 or by emailing cmccoy@riversofsteel.com.

Rivers of Steel   |   The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Ave, Homestead PA 15120

riversofsteel.com

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Be Part of the Hammer-In Festival 

Rivers of Steel is seeking vendors for its Maker Marketplace during the 2024 Hammer-In Festival at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop 

Application Instructions

Submit your information via the Vendor Application Form by Friday, March 15, 2024 to be considered for inclusion in this event. Vendor will be notified by March 30, 2024.