October 22, 2024
Reading, PA — October 22, 2024 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced that 16 projects in the 11th Senatorial District have received a total of $6 million in Local Share Account-Statewide grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
The LSA program was established under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004, which directs gaming revenue through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest across Pennsylvania. Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, and redevelopment authorities are eligible to apply for LSA funding.
Schwank expressed pride in supporting these initiatives, noting that many of the projects are fully funded.
“This investment in Berks County will drive critical projects forward, ensuring they are either fully completed or substantially advanced,” Schwank said. “We are fortunate to have local leaders dedicated to improving their communities and addressing local needs. These grants will directly support essential services, improve public safety, and make a major investment in a critical senior housing project. These tangible investments will benefit all Berks County residents for years to come.”
The 11th Senatorial District projects receiving funding are:
HDC MidAtlantic — $1,000,000 for the Reading Redevelopment Authority, on behalf of HDC MidAtlantic and Landis Quality Living, to demolish structures and complete environmental remediation for the future construction of an affordable senior housing community at S. 6th and Chestnut streets in the City of Reading.
Mount Penn Borough — $800,000 to restore and improve seven streets within the borough.
Reading Public Museum — $636,022 to replace two air handling units and controllers needed to regulate climate and protect the museum’s collection.
Spring Township — $509,828 for improvements to the Spring Township Police Building.
Wyomissing Borough — $500,000 for a new fire apparatus.
Muhlenberg Township Authority — $422,595 to expand public water service by connecting dead ends in the water system at Alabama Avenue, Willow Grove Avenue, Florida Avenue, Poinciana Avenue, and two locations on Pine Heights Road.
Muhlenberg Township — $418,170 for a new fire engine for Muhlenberg Township Fire and Rescue.
Northeast Berks Main Street Foundation — $373,500 for the Greater Berks Development Fund, on behalf of the Northeast Berks Main Street Foundation, for continued renovations to the historic Strand Theatre in Kutztown Borough.
Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority — $330,000 for the rehabilitation of a 500,000-gallon water storage tank in Mount Penn Borough.
Reading Hospital Foundation — $250,000 for the Greater Berks Development Fund, on behalf of the Reading Hospital Foundation, to install an electrophysiology lab.
Shillington Borough — $250,000 to replace a sanitary sewer main along Brobst Street.
Reading Area Water Authority — $191,647 to purchase a fully outfitted dump truck.
Central Berks Regional Police — $160,000 to purchase and outfit a patrol vehicle and utility vehicle for Mount Penn Borough.
Muhlenberg Township Authority — $122,400 to purchase 400 Storz connectors for fire hydrants to reduce response times for first responders.
Lower Alsace Township — $72,921 to replace outdated public works equipment.
Shillington Borough — $56,390 to purchase a valve-turning trailer.
###
July 8, 2024
Reading — July 8, 2024 — Today, Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced $250,000 in grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a mobile shower unit for the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness.
BCEH is the nonprofit responsible for c, which coordinates community efforts to address homelessness by developing housing and service systems. BCEH has helped tackle homelessness with its security deposit assistance program, coordinated entry initiative, and safe parking lot initiative for individuals living in their vehicles.
Mobile shower units are a best practice service that can be placed at various access points on a rotating schedule. The grant funding will cover the cost of a three-stall shower unit, a truck to pull the mobile shower unit and store supplies, the construction of a garage to store the truck and shower unit, and start-up supplies, including propane and towels.
Trinity Lutheran Church has joined this project as a collaborator by establishing a 501(c)(3) named REFRESH! BERKS to operate and provide a sustainability budget for the mobile shower, ensuring homeless individuals have a way to shower safely.
“Providing access to basic hygiene for homeless individuals with this mobile shower unit is a vital and forward-thinking step,” said Schwank. “This model has been successful in other areas of the country, and I know this service will help people in our community feel confident as they work towards a brighter future. I’m proud to secure this funding for Reading and Berks County and believe this investment will make a positive impact in the lives of many.”
“Berks Coalition to End Homelessness is incredibly grateful for the generous grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Sen. Judy Schwank, enabling us to launch Berks County’s first mobile shower service in collaboration and partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church and West Lawn United Methodist Church,” said BCEH Executive Director Jack Williams. “We believe that this service is more than just a necessity; it’s a symbol of dignity, respect, and a fresh start. Through REFRESH! BERKS, we hope to instill a renewed sense of hope and purpose in the lives of those we serve. We cannot wait to bring this much-needed service to Berks County.”
When the process of purchasing the equipment is complete and staff is hired and trained, the unit will be just the second mobile shower unit operating in Pennsylvania. The unit is expected to be ready for use in early 2025.
###
December 19, 2023
Reading — December 19, 2023 — Today, state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced $5,378,678 in grant funding for 12 water infrastructure improvement projects in Berks County.
The projects are funded through the H2O PA and the PA Small Water and Sewer programs, which were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority this morning. Schwank said she is proud to support the efforts of local municipalities to improve critical water infrastructure.
“We are fortunate to have a long list of important projects receiving badly needed grant funding,” Schwank said. “The state and local governments must work hand in hand to make sure the water infrastructure Pennsylvanians rely on remains in good working order. I’m happy I was able to do my part, and I fully intend to continue to work with local government officials to ensure that they have what they need to meet the needs of our shared constituents.”
The award recipients and funding totals are below.
H2O PA
Antietam Valley Municipal Authority — $750,000 for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Lawrence Borough.
Reading Water Authority — $750,000 to install a pumping station at the Hegel Gehl Reservoir.
Mount Penn Borough — $750,000 to assist with the replacement of an existing 1-million-gallon water storage tank.
Wyomissing Borough — $700,000 to demolish an existing pump station and construct a new pipe and manhole system.
Alsace Township — $300,000 for the Route 12 South Sewer Extension project.
Spring Township — $250,000 for the Multiple Locations Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
PA Small Water and Sewer
Spring Township — $421,260 for a sludge press replacement.
Sinking Spring Borough — $362,404 for the Sinking Spring Sewage Treatment Plant Filtration Project.
Cumru Township — $350,494 to replace a deteriorated storm sewer line at Montrose Boulevard.
Shillington Municipal Authority — $339,500 for the installation and replacement of valves.
West Reading Borough — $269,500 for the 500 Block Spruce Street Water Line Replacement project.
Kutztown Borough — $135,000 to replace storm pipe and storm inlets along Main Street.
###
November 19, 2021
Reading, PA – November 19, 2021 – Berks County State Legislators announced three Greater Reading Area projects received a total of $1,352,687 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community of Economic Development’s (DCED) Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
Governor Mifflin School District was awarded a $620,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant for Secondary Campus Transportation Improvements. Mifflin will use the grant to update and improve S Waverly Street, the main access point to the district’s Middle School and High School. The project will include updating crosswalks, sidewalks, implementing traffic-calming measures, and constructing a new entrance. The street improvements are an integral part of the plan to build the new Governor Mifflin Community Center.
“This is just one piece of a much larger project Governor Mifflin has taken on,” Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) said. “When I met with school district administrators about the plans for a new facility and what it would mean not only for students, but the entire community, it was clear to me this project was worthy of support. The safety improvements to Waverly Street will ensure an already busy street is capable of accommodating the increased traffic it will see when the facility is constructed and help keep students and faculty safe.”
“Competition for Multimodal Transportation Program grants is always very strong,” Rep. Mark Gillen (R-128th district) said. “I commend Governor Mifflin School District officials for developing a successful grant proposal, which included input from the community, and which will greatly improve safety through the school complex. These state grant funds will complement the significant investment the district is making in its school campus construction project, which will pay dividends for the Governor Mifflin community for many decades to come.”
The City of Reading received $600,000 for the 18th Ward Bicycle Pedestrian Trail Project. The funding will improve and connect bicycle trails and is a piece of the ongoing 18th Wonder Revitalization Association plan announced in 2017.
“Trails and spaces residents can use for outdoor recreational activities make our community healthier and give us all an opportunity to enjoy the scenery of Berks County,” Schwank said. “The ongoing improvements taking place in the 18th ward ensure that the needs of residents are met. I’m grateful the commonwealth sees the value in this project.”
“It’s been an honor to work with the community and business leaders of the 18th Ward and the 18th Wonder Community Association,” Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126th district) said. We set a vision for the area and I am thrilled to see it coming to fruition. This is a huge addition for residents and visitors of the area!”
City of Reading Mayor Eddie Morán also touted the importance of the project and thanked Schwank for supporting the city’s grant application.
“I am tremendously grateful to Senator Schwank for helping the City of Reading secure this grant,” said Morán. “Connectivity and accessibility for all is a priority for me. Upon completing this project, we will have new ADA ramps, a pedestrian and bike trail, better signage, and other enhancements, ensuring the 18th Ward and Oakbrook community can safely perform their daily tasks with the option to use alternative transportation. Our goal continues to be to make Reading a better place to live, learn, work and play.”
The CFA also approved Act 13 Programs grants at today’s board meeting. The Borough of Fleetwood was awarded $132,687 in Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) grant funding. The money will be used to construct a new bandshell, seated area covering, American’s With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pathways and new landscaping at Fleetwood Park.
“When Fleetwood officials realized the existing bandshell was structurally compromised, they quickly acted to and moved forward with a plan to replace it,” Schwank said. “The bandshell has been a central feature in the Fleetwood community for years and has been home to countless event that bring people together. The new and improved bandshell will be structurally sound, safe and provided expanded coverage so events don’t have to be canceled due to rain.”
###
June 8, 2020
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to the General Appropriation Act of 2019 and was a centerpiece of the caucus’ PA CARES Plan.
The aid will be distributed as follows: $100 million is set to go to the Main Street Business Revitalization Program, $100 million to the Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Program, and $25 million for loan payment deferment and loss reserves for loans impacted by COVID-19. The aid will be directed by the Department of Community and Economic Development to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), which are intimately familiar with the needs of the most vulnerable small businesses in our communities.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for engaging leadership in the General Assembly to inform the process of moving federal aid out to those who have been most harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I also want to thank the leadership of the Senate Democratic caucus who worked with our members to formulate a strategic plan for the deployment of nearly $4 billion in federal assistance,” said state Senator John Blake (D-Lackawanna). “The Main Street Business Revitalization program is a reflection of that cooperation and leadership and it will meet Pennsylvania’s small business owners where they are, on Main Street, after nearly three months of lost or no sales. It will enable small business owners throughout the commonwealth to meet their insurance payments, rents, health insurance premiums, local taxes and other expenses that they otherwise could not meet due to lost sales. Finally, I want to thank the 17 CDFIs throughout the state as well as DCED for their professionalism, agility, urgency and dedication to getting this federal funding to the small businesses who need it most as quickly as possible.”
Eligible businesses will apply through one of the CDFI Network partners and will have to have been operating on or before February 15, 2020, and must have paid taxes to state and federal governments. Qualifying main street and historically disadvantaged small businesses must have 25 or fewer employees and experienced losses as a result of Gov. Tom Wolf’s March 19 stay-at-home order. Organizations seeking grants from the historically disadvantaged small businesses program must also be 51 percent owned and managed by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
“The announcement of the Main Street and Historically Disadvantaged Business Revitalization Programs will provide welcomed relief for mom and pop businesses in neighborhoods across the commonwealth,” said State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). “Since this pandemic began, we have heard the needs of the auto body shops, the barbershops, the beauticians, the pizza shop owners, the soul food establishments and other businesses in our communities. The needs of these businesses that were unable to get much needed help from other state and federal programs were a priority in our Senate Democratic Caucus’ April 29 PA CARES Program announcement. For months, my office has worked with a network of trusted community organizations that have a proven track record of working with our small CDFIs to find a solution to assist our neighborhood businesses. I believe these programs are that solution. There is still more work to be done, but these programs are a win for Pennsylvania and its small businesses.”
Businesses will be eligible for up to $50,000 in grants. Grants can be used to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and in the transition period to reopening, technical assistance and training, debt payment relief for CDFI borrowers and loan loss reserves.
“Our small businesses all across the state made sacrifices so that we could flatten the curve of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Now as we begin to recover, our businesses will need and deserve assistance to reopen their doors, rehire their staff and serve our communities again. We thank them for their patience through this difficult time, and are ready to offer the programs, loans and assistance they need.”
Businesses will be required to submit proposals for review documenting sales losses, projected revenues, the duration of closure as a result of COVID-19, and relief receipts for other federal, state and local government aid. Eligible businesses will apply directly through a local CDFI.
“One of the goals of the pandemic-recovery stimulus plan that I offered in March, was to jump-start business operations and speed the economic recovery by making resources readily available to get more men and women back to work quicker,” Brewster said. “Using federal CARE dollars to bolster business and smooth the back-to-work transition is critically important. The caucus CARES initiative includes one piece of the plan and will be especially useful to small businesses as they cover expenses and manage start-up costs. Plus, it will usher in help for small businesses who may not have been able to access other state or federal business assistance programs.”
Distributed funds will be monitored by DCED to track the total number of grants awarded under these programs including county, the number of jobs saved by the grants, the total amount of loan payment and deferment, administrative costs and more.
“Thank you to Governor Wolf and his administration for recognizing the need for our Main Street Business Revitalization Program and incorporating that proposal into the Commonwealth’s plan to support our small businesses, which represent nearly half of the private sector workforce in Pennsylvania – 2.5 million jobs,” said Senator Iovino (D-Allegheny/Washington). “Small businesses are the job creators in our communities, the revenue generators for our Commonwealth, and the cornerstone of vibrant main streets. As small business owners are struggling to hang on, this $225 million grant package is exactly the kind of lifeline that these economic drivers need to support our recovery.”
For more about the caucus’ comprehensive, people-focused COVID-19 recovery plan, visit pasenate.com/pacares.
December 2, 2014
READING, Dec. 2, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will hold her second annual “Elected Municipal Officials’ Meeting” at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at Wyomissing Family Restaurant.
This event gives local leaders with the opportunity to obtain information that impacts their municipality and to interact with state officials whose agencies directly affect their work. It also gives Sen. Schwank the opportunity to hear the concerns of local government officials.
“This event gives our local elected officials the opportunity to not only meet and network with other officials but it also gives us the opportunity to coordinate our efforts to better serve our community,” Schwank said.
Schwank has invited Brian Eckert from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Jay McGee from the PennDOT to talk about available state resources and programs.
For more information, call 610-929-2151.
Media coverage is welcomed.
WHAT: Sen. Judy Schwank’s “Elected Municipal Officials’ Meeting”
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 4
WHERE: Wyomissing Family Restaurant
###
Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
October 21, 2014
Grants also approved for Reading, Union Township
READING, Oct. 21, 2014 – New playground equipment, stepping stones and plaza space will be the new features of Kutztown’s only playground thanks to the award today of a $150,000 state grant, Sen. Judy Schwank said today.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the investment for the project in Kutztown Park. It also approved a $150,000 grant for French Creek State Park and nearly $70,000 to further the planning of the Fritz Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Reading.
“Kutztown Park is the place children go when they want to be outside, but the equipment has become old and dangerous,” Sen. Schwank said following today’s CFA meeting. “The new investment will transform the playground into a place that kids truly love and parents will feel better about because they will know their children are safe.
The new playground equipment will be ADA compliant and meet the safety standards of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
The $150,000 grant is through the commonwealth’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation program
Complete details of the grant program are available on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website.
The $150,000 grant for the French Creek State Park project will help the Natural Lands Trust buy an adjacent 54-acre tract and then expand the park after it transfers the property. The Horseshoe Trail will then be re-routed off land now owned by a rod and gun club onto the larger French Creek State Park.
The $68,685 Sewage Facilities Program grant to the City of Reading will help to pay for planning costs associated with the Act 537 special study for the Fritz Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Improvements will help the plant satisfy a consent decree with the state Department of Environmental Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
###
More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
August 12, 2013
READING, Aug. 12, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank will hold her third annual “Municipal Officials Meeting” at 7 p.m., tonight, Aug. 12, at Penn State-Berks.
The annual get-together reflects Sen. Schwank’s commitment to work collaboratively with local officials to better address local needs and concerns.
Officials from the Department of Community and Economic Development, PennDOT, and the attorney general’s office will be in attendance.
Media coverage is encouraged.
WHAT: Sen. Judy Schwank’s 3rd annual “Municipal Officials Meeting”
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Janssen Building, Penn State-Berks, Tulpehocken Road, Reading
###
Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
