September 18, 2018
HARRISBURG, September 18, 2018 – Thirteen Berks County municipalities will receive a total of $1.325 million in new state investments for their ongoing efforts to improve water and sewer services.
Sen. Judy Schwank today said the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved Small Water and Sewer System grants for:
- Robeson Township Municipal Authority, Sewage Pumping Improvements, $125,000;
- Joint Authority of the Wyomissing Valley, UV Light Disinfection Enclosure, $75,000;
- Caernarvon Township Authority, Mill Road Water Softener Replacements, $50,000;
- Antietam Valley Municipal Authority, Friedensburg Road Sewer Main Extension, $125,000;
- Fleetwood Borough, E. Locust Street Water Main Extension, $125,000;
- Ruscombmanor Township, Walnuttown Road Sewer Extension, $125,000;
- Western Berks Authority, Mohrsville Water District Arsenic Removal System, $125,000;
- Alsace Township, Sewer Extension, $125,000;
- Reading Area Water Authority, Filtration Bed Rehabilitation, $125,000;
- Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority, Emergency Water Interconnection, $81,250;
- Maxatawny Township Municipal Authority, Village of Bowers Waterline Replacement Project, $81,250;
- Muhlenberg Township Authority, SCADA System Upgrades, $81,250;
- Wyomissing Borough; 2018 Capital Sewer Project, $81,250.
“These projects are vital to critical infrastructure in these Berks communities and to protect our local environment,” Schwank said. “I was pleased to advocate for these grants to help these local communities make necessary improvements.”
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October 24, 2016
Harrisburg – October 24, 2016 – State Senator Judith L. Schwank today announced that two Berks County municipalities, Laureldale Borough and Exeter Township, have been approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for $180,000 in grant funding through the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program to support recreation improvement efforts.
According to Senator Schwank, Laureldale Borough will receive $150,000 to support improvements, including the installation of new, permanent restroom facilities and repaving of parking areas, at the Borough’s Dominic Manzella Community Park. Exeter Township will receive $30,000 to support the development of a comprehensive parks, recreation, and open space plan.
“These state grant funds will allow both municipalities to better address the recreational needs of area residents for many years to come,” said Senator Schwank, who strongly advocated for the approval of these grants. “I commend local officials for taking the initiative to pursue these funds.”
The Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program is funded through the Act 13—Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund and is administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
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February 1, 2016
February 1, 2016: Senator Judy Schwank (D-11) and Representative Mark Rozzi (D-126) today announced that Lower Alsace Township has been awarded a $41,300 Municipal Services Program Shared Services Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to enhance a joint code enforcement program with Mount Penn Borough.
According to the state legislators, the two neighboring communities are consolidating their separate code enforcement officers into a joint program under the operational control of the Central Berks Regional Police Department, which serves both municipalities. These state grant funds will pay up-front and transition costs and two years of costs and increased level and quality of services, including database and website development. The total cost of the project is $82,875.
“I commend Lower Alsace and Mount Penn Officials for pursuing this joint effort to improve services in their municipalities,” said Senator Schwank. “This cooperative effort will save money and help improve the quality of life for residents of the Antietam Valley and is another excellent example of cooperation between these municipal neighbors.”
“This unique blending of police and code services is an innovative approach to managing growth and keeping blight in check,” noted Representative Rozzi. “Local officials are taking proactive steps to the maintain character and viability of area neighborhoods and that is a smart and effective approach to community-building.”
The Municipal Assistance Program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development is part of the Commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to promote the efficient and effective delivery of municipal services and improve communities across the Commonwealth.
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April 17, 2015
HARRISBURG, April 17, 2015 – With the May 1 deadline quickly approaching, state Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded Berks County students who are headed to college or are renewing their application to apply soon for a state grant.
During the 2014-’15 academic year, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency awarded 3,989 grants worth $9.12 million to students in Schwank’s 11th Senatorial District.
The average grant to local residents, which do not require repayment, was valued at nearly $3,000.
“Students looking for help in paying their college or junior college tuition bills can get that help from PHEAA,” Schwank said today. “Better yet; grant recipients will not have to pay back those awards.”
Students planning to attend a community college, a trade school, school of nursing or a two-year program that is not transferrable have until Aug. 1 to apply for a state grant.
To apply or renew, the senator said students or parents should visit PHEAA’s website.
First-time applicants will need to be armed with the date they received – or plan to receive – their high school diploma or GED, Social Security number, and a recent statement (if applicable) from their PA Treasury 529 College Savings Program account.
Applicants will also have to open a ledger with American Education Services’ “Account Access” student aid management tool. They must also complete the 2015-‘16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Easy instructions for opening the accounts are on PHEAA’s website.
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September 27, 2011
September 27, 2011, Harrisburg – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) announced today that Berks County will receive nearly $27,000 in state grants to assist with recycling efforts and waste management.
“Recycling and waste management are two effective ways to combat pollution in Pennsylvania,” Schwank said. “The Department of Environmental Protection recognizes this and works diligently to provide local communities the resources they need to combat pollution. These funds will go a long way toward helping these communities with their recycling and waste management programs.”
The Berks County Solid Waste Authority will receive a $22,861 grant to reimburse 50 percent of the costs for developing and operating a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection at the Exeter Township Municipal Building, which was held on April 26. The Authority also received a $2,087 to reimburse 50 percent of the costs for the development and operation of a HHW collection event for pharmaceuticals, which was held on April 16.
These grant funds were distributed through DEP’s Pennsylvania Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Grant Program.
Also receiving grant funding was Fleetwood Borough. The borough received $2,026 based on the 187.2 tons of recycling in 2009 and the municipality’s population. The funding, provided through DEP’s Recycling Performance Grant Program, was awarded to help the borough increase the amount of materials recycled.
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