Sen. Schwank Announces $4.21 Million in State Grants for Berks County Projects

Reading, PA - December 18, 2025 -Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) today announced that 14 projects in the 11th Senatorial District have received a total of $4.21 million in Local Share Account-Statewide grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Local Share Account 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 said the awards will promote public safety, improve infrastructure and support economic development efforts across Berks County.

"It's exciting to see such a strong mix of meaningful investments heading back to Berks County," Schwank said. "These grants will fund critical public safety equipment, emergency response vehicles, municipal infrastructure upgrades and economic development projects that our communities deserve. The wide range of initiatives supported by this funding is a prudent investments by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that set our communities up for long-term success."

Projects in the 11th Senatorial District receiving funding include:

Greater Berks Development Fund - $600,000 to support the GoggleWorks Art Park Phase 2, which aims to transform a neglected urban lot in downtown Reading into a cultural, educational and food hub.

Exeter Township- $563,214 to purchase an asphalt roller and dump truck for the Exeter Township Public Works Department, which maintains 115 miles of public roads.

Laureldale Borough- $538,286 to conduct sanitary sewer inspections and improvements.

Spring Township- $507,704 to purchase a street sweeper and two police vehicles.

Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority- $406,575 to support Step 3 of the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program in the City of Reading.

Lower Alsace Township- $401,649 to purchase two new ambulances for the Lower Alsace Volunteer Ambulance Association.

Fleetwood Borough- $374,495 to purchase tasers, police radios and body cameras for the Fleetwood Borough Police Department.

West Reading Borough- $232,612 to support the replacement of a water main pipe on Olive Street between Elm and Buttonwood Streets.

Berks County Emergency Response Team- $200,000 to purchase, upgrade and enhance equipment for the Berks County Emergency Response Team.

Muhlenberg Township- $110,683 to purchase a traffic control truck for Muhlenberg Township Fire & Rescue.

Mount Penn Borough- $109,565 for renovations to the borough hall to convert a garage into a map, file and archive room.

Mount Penn Borough- $91,466 to support the purchase of three vehicles and a standing mower for the Mount Penn Borough Public Works Department.

Berks County Redevelopment Authority- $45,000 to cover demolition costs at 3925 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township.

Mount Penn Borough- $31,717 for information technology infrastructure upgrades.