December 19, 2023
Reading — December 19, 2023 — This morning, the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $405,809 in PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program grant funding for eight Berks County organizations.
The Pennsylvania legislature created PACR to provide grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, local arts and culture districts and arts and culture professionals to ensure the stability and recovery of the commonwealth’s arts and culture sector from the COVID-19 pandemic using federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
“Supporting local arts and culture is an investment in creativity and an investment in the heart and soul of Berks County,” state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said. “We are blessed to live in an area populated with so many talented folks that add character, beauty, and entertainment to our community. With today’s funding announcement, Pennsylvania is ensuring that our arts and culture sector thrives for years to come.”
The award recipients and funding totals are below.
Berks Art Council — $187,715 from two grants. $132,000 to distribute pandemic recovery payments to arts and culture professionals as the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts regranting organization for region 7 that includes Berks, Lancaster, and Schuylkill Counties and an additional $55,715 for operating costs and establishing new programs for the Arts Organization located in the City of Reading.
GoggleWorks Center for the Art — $56,258 to establish new outreach and marketing programs for the art museum located in City of Reading.
Foundation for the Reading Public Museum — $40,000 to establish new programs and marketing for the museum.
Reading Symphony Orchestra — $37,929 for operating costs for the orchestra.
Yocum Institute for Arts Education — $36,668 for operating expenses for the arts organization located in Spring Township.
Reading Musical Foundation — $23,688 for operating expenses for the arts organization located in the City of Reading.
Barrio Alegria — $13,551 for operating expenses for the performing arts organization located in the City of Reading.
Berks Youth Chorus — $10,000 for operating and marketing expenses for the arts organization located in the City of Reading.
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March 16, 2023
Reading — March 16, 2023 — Today, Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11) shared that 20 11th Senatorial District projects received a total of $4.62 million in grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The Local Shares Account-Statewide program was established by the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004, which provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the CFA to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, and redevelopment authorities are eligible to apply for LSA funding. Projects are only eligible if they are owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization.
Schwank said she is proud to support the projects listed below and thanked local leaders for putting together strong applications that address crucial needs in their communities.
“Having a lengthy list of projects that are forward thinking and worthy of funding is a good problem to have,” Schwank said. “When you have great projects that fill important local needs, it’s easy to make a case for why they deserve support. With this funding, the state is improving public safety, boosting access to recreational areas for disabled individuals, investing in the preservation of iconic Berks County venues, and more. Today is a great day for Berks County.”
Schwank added that many of the projects listed are being funded at levels to complete or substantially complete them.
- Spring Township — $800,000 for the Wyomissing Sewer Project, which will upgrade sewer pipes and alleviate wastewater concerns.
- City of Reading — $500,000 for the construction of a modern, multi-purpose training and special operations facility located in Cumru Township.
- Laureldale Borough — $482,255 to construct ADA-accessible bathroom facilities at Dominic Manzella Park.
- Kutztown Community Partnership — $450,000 in support of the rehabilitation of the historic Kutztown Strand Theatre.
- Wyomissing Borough — $400,000 for ADA and safety improvements at Stone House Park.
- Antietam Valley Municipal Authority — $376,379 for vehicle equipment upgrades for use in Alsace Township, Mt. Penn Borough, Exeter Township, St. Lawrence Borough and the City of Reading.
- Muhlenberg Township — $294,000 in support of streambank restoration and to install a riparian buffer at Laurel Run Creek.
- Mount Penn Borough — $275,000 for the reconstruction of ADA-compliant handicap ramps to be constructed on various streets throughout the borough.
- West Reading Borough — $264,750 to upgrade security cameras along the main commercial area, at the police department, and at the municipal building.
- Fleetwood Borough — $225,000 for phase two of construction to stabilize and restore the Willow Creek streambank located at Fleetwood Park.
- Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority — $207,100 for upgrades to an existing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system located in Exeter Township.
- Reading Water Authority — $165,649 for monitoring upgrades for the Maidencreek Filter Plant.
- Ruscombmanor Township — $100,00 for ADA accessibility improvements in Strauss Park.
- Mount Penn Borough — $60,000 for renovations to the Mount Penn Fire Company’s heavily used day room.
- Lyons Borough Municipal Authority — $29,260 to upgrade its current water and mapping system and to conduct a leak detection test.
In addition to the LSA-statewide awards, five Berks County entities received $580,791 in LSA-Category 4 Facilities Program grant funding. Projects in counties with Category 4 licensed gaming facilities are eligible for this stream of funding (Berks, Westmoreland and York Counties).
- Greater Reading Chamber and Economic Development Corporation — $142,346 for the Franklin Street Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Plan.
- Berks County Redevelopment Authority — $125,000 to convert an old building located on Gregg Avenue in the City of Reading into office space.
- West Reading Borough — $113,552 for streetlight replacements.
- West Reading Borough — $100,000 for the redevelopment of gateway signage.
- Sinking Spring Borough — $99,893 for a brush chipper at the community yard waste site.
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August 17, 2020
Senator Judy Schwank, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran and Reading City Council Member Maria Goodman-Hinnershitz view Egleman’s Dam
Reading − August 17, 2020 − Twelve Berks County municipalities and municipal authorities, including the City of Reading, have been awarded state water and sewer infrastructure grants totaling $1.78 million by the Commonwealth Finance Authority, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th district) announced today.
“Properly functioning water and wastewater infrastructure protects public health and safety and promotes economic growth,” Schwank said. “I strongly advocated for these grants to help our local communities make necessary improvements.”
Of note, the City of Reading is receiving two grants: A $350,000 H2O grant to modify Egleman’s Dam in Reading and a $125,000 Small Water and Sewer System Grant to improve the Fritz Island wastewater treatment plant.
“It is especially important that the City of Reading is receiving state grant assistance to complete Egleman’s Dam and substantial state help to complete a project at the Fritz Island treatment plant project,” Schwank said. “With its limited resources, the city might not have been able to finish these critical infrastructure improvements without this state grant funding.”
“This state investment in our city will help my administration continue our efforts to improve one of our most scenic parks and our wastewater system for the benefit of all city residents,” said Reading Mayor Eddie Moran. “Partnerships like this with state government are critically important for Reading’s future, and I want to thank Senator Schwank and her colleagues for working diligently to help secure these funds.”
Two other H2O grants include:
- Oley Township Municipal Authority, Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks, $250,000
- Muhlenberg Township Authority, Leiscz’s Bridge Road Intercept Replacement, $100,000
Additionally, Schwank announced the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved Small Water and Sewer System grants for:
- Ruscombmanor Township, MS4 Stormwater BMPS, $55,765
- Oley Township Municipal Authority, Sewer Collection System Televising Manhole Rehab, $100,000
- Robeson Township Municipal Authority, Sewing Pumping State #2 Improvements, $50,000
- Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority, Generate Update, $100,000
- Cumru Township, Tamarack Train I&I, $100,000
- City of Reading, Fritz Island Grit Chamber Project, $125,000
- Centre Township Municipal Authority, Kingsgate WWTP Upgrade, $50,000
- Borough of Laureldale, Sanitary Sewer Lateral Replacement Project, $100,000
- Borough of Kutztown, Solids Handling Improvements, $100,000
- Birdsboro Municipal Authority, Hay Creek Raw Water Pump Station, $100,000
- West Reading Borough, Linden Lane Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project, $200,000
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March 26, 2019
Harrisburg, March 25, 2019 A Reading local recreation project was approved today for a $725,000 Multi-Modal Transportation Grant by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to Sen. Judy Schwank and Reps. Thomas Caltagirone and Mark Rozzi.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved a grant to:
- Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and to make safety improvements along East Wyomissing and Hancock Boulevards in the city of Reading.
“This state investment will bolster efforts already underway to improve the vitality of the 18th Ward,” Schwank said. “The combined efforts of city government, local businesses and the community will lead to improved quality of life, revitalized neighborhoods and economic activity.”
“Improving the recreational and commercial amenities available within the 18th Wonder Project Area will benefit residents and visitors alike, and will pay dividends for many years to come,” Caltagirone said.
“I’m proud to represent an area that recognizes the importance of maintaining and expanding its recreational infrastructure,” Rozzi said. “This is a win-win for residents, business and government.”
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September 18, 2018
HARRISBURG, September 18, 2018 – Three local recreation and conservation projects were approved today for grant funding totaling $375,000 by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to Sen. Judy Schwank and Reps. Thomas Caltagirone and Mark Rozzi.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved grants for:
- Berks County Conservation District, Antietam Valley Storm Water Improvements and Lake Restoration, $125,000
- Reading, Schuylkill River Trail Gap Improvement Project, $125,000.
- Reading, Replacement of the YMCA of Reading and Berks County’s Washington Street location’s roof, $125,000.
“These state grant funds will allow Reading and the Berks County Conservation District to better address the recreational needs of area residents for many years to come,” Schwank said. “I’m glad that we have local officials taking initiative and pursing these funds.”
“The approval of these funds is great news for Reading and the surrounding communities who benefit from YMCA programming,” Caltagirone said. “I commend all involved who worked hard to put together high-quality proposals for these competitive grant funds.”
“These projects, especially the YMCA improvement, represent important investments not only in the present needs of our community, but for future generations,” Rozzi said. “Residents of the Antietam Valley, the City of Reading and beyond will benefit from these projects.”
The funding is through the Act 13—Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund and is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
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Contact:
Jamie Klein
610 929-2151
jklein@pasenate.com
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.
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
September 17, 2013
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17, 2013 — Development Projects in the City of Reading will get a big boost with the approval today of more than $5 million in new investments for the Greater Berks Development Fund, and an additional $1 million for the Doubletree Hotel Project, Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Tom Caltagirone announced.
The investments, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, are loans through the Building PA program.
“There are several exciting development projects, including the hotel project, moving forward in Downtown Reading,” said Schwank. “These important new investments will help keep the momentum going.”
“This investment of state funds is essential to our ongoing efforts to revitalize Reading,” said Caltagirone. “With the state’s support, we will be able to leverage additional private investment in our city.”
The Commonwealth Financing Authority had approved a $12 million loan to the Greater Berks Development Fund. Today’s approval by the authority increases that line to $17 million. The additional dollars will support development projects in Downtown Reading.
For the Doubletree Hotel project, the CFA’s approval similarly increases Building PA loan funds from $5 million to $6 million. The new support is from previously approved Building PA funds that were made available to Greater Berks for local development projects.
The Building PA Program provides capital to developers in small-to-mid-size communities for real estate assets. The funds can be used for industrial, commercial, and multi-use projects. The Greater Berks Development Fund is the Commonwealth-approved Building PA fund manager for Reading and Berks County.
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Follow Sen. Judy Schwank on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
January 25, 2012
READING, Jan. 25, 2012 — A Reading development project has been awarded significant state funding toward the construction of a four-star downtown hotel, according to state Sen. Judy Schwank and state Rep. Tom Caltagirone.
The Greater Berks Development Fund has been awarded a $5 million Building PA Fund loan to support, among other projects, the Downtown Reading Hotel Project.
Reading Hospitality, LLC will develop a 190,000 square-foot, four-star Doubletree Hotel located directly across from the Sovereign Center.
“The construction of a new hotel will provide a real boost to our local tourism and economy,” said Schwank (D-11th dist.). “It will entice visitors of the Sovereign Center to stay overnight in Reading before or after a show, and will attract companies and organizations to host meetings and presentations in Reading.”
“I’m so pleased that the state is investing in our area,” said Caltagirone (D-127th dist). “Hotels are economic engines for cities, and it will give out-of-town guests an opportunity to visit our shops and restaurants and enjoy all that Reading and Greater Berks have to offer.”
The funds were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
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