November 14, 2017
Harrisburg, November 14, 2017 − Three Berks County municipalities will receive a total of $1.3 million in new state investments for their ongoing efforts to improve recreation services and transportation along 5th Street Highway.
Sen. Judy Schwank today said the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved Greenway, Trails and Recreation Grants for:
- Topton Borough, Topton Community Park Playground, $100,000;
- Muhlenberg Township, Jim Dietrich Park Trail and Recreation Improvements, $100,000;
- Fleetwood Borough, Fleetwood Park Phase 1 Improvements, $100,000.
Additionally, Muhlenberg Township was awarded a $1 million Multimodal Grant to support the second phase of the 5th Street Highway Corridor Revitalization Initiative. This money is in addition to the $750,000 the township received last year through the same grant program.
“The 5th Street Highway is the key commercial corridor in Muhlenberg Township,” Schwank said. “These state funds will help local officials continue their efforts to improve safety and traffic flow along the corridor for pedestrians and motorists alike, and promote economic growth.”
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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 9, 2014
READING, Sept. 9, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank today said Leesport residents will benefit from a new $100,000 state grant that will help the Berks County community pay for a sewer replacement project.
Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the “Small Water and Sewer System Program” grant for Leesport Borough Authority. The project will happen along Leesport Avenue.
“This is an important investment in Leesport and I am pleased that CFA recognized the benefits that we articulated when we urged the authority to approve this grant,” Sen. Schwank said. “The money will deliver environmental and economic benefits to the borough’s residents.”
The “Small Water and Sewer System Program” grant helps Pennsylvania communities like Leesport pay for the construction, improvement, expansion, rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sanitary sewer system. Eligible projects have must cost between $50,000 and $150,000.
Complete details of the grant program are available on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website.
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
September 9, 2014
READING, Sept. 9, 2014 – – The Commonwealth Financing Authority today approved a state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant in the amount of $1 million to support a road improvement and bridge replacement along Saint Bernardine Street in Angelica Park in the City of Reading’s Millmont Section, according to Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Thomas Caltagirone.
The $2.7 million project includes the upgrade of St. Bernardine Street through Angelica Park, including the replacement of a bridge and the installation of pedestrian walkways, bike pathways, and street lighting. Alvernia University has committed significant resources to support the project as well. While additional funds still need to be secured to move forward with this project, the approval of this state grant funding represents a significant step forward.
“I am pleased that these grant funds have been approved for this important project,” said Rep. Caltagirone, whose office worked closely with Alvernia University officials to prepare and develop the Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application. “With increased traffic to Alvernia University and the Millmont Section of Reading in recent years, this roadway and bridge is in dire need of upgrades for the safe growth of the university and community. These state funds will help provide safe access for vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists.”
“These state funds represent an important investment in the safety of local residents and in the economic future of the city,” noted Sen. Schwank, who strongly advocated for the approval of the grant funds for the project. “With Alvernia University, the expected completion of the Berks County Conservancy Facility in the Park, several significant large employers already in Millmont, and additional parcels available for development in the neighborhood, this project will serve as a catalyst for continued growth in the area, which is good for the city.”
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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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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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