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Schwank touts millions of dollars in funding for Berks redevelopment projects | Berks Regional News
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Schwank touts millions of dollars in funding for Berks redevelopment projects | Berks Regional News

BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – A Berks County lawmaker announced nearly $14 million in funding for redevelopment projects in the area.

In a new statement released Friday, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) touted new Redevelopment Capital Investment Program (RACP) funding announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget .

The RACP is a state grant program intended to “support the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.”

In total, $13.75 million in funding was awarded to six projects in the 11th Senate District.

Schwank noted that each project receiving funding will have a lasting positive impact on the greater Reading area.

“This round of grants speaks to the enormous energy and economic potential of Reading and Berks County,” Schwank said.

“I am proud to see these projects receive funding, and I am especially grateful to have worked alongside Governor Shapiro to secure a substantial investment for the GoggleWorks II adaptive reuse project. This project will not only provide those in need with hot, ready-to-eat meals through Helping Harvest, but will also breathe new life into a historically devastated building,” she added.

The rewards are as follows:

  • Our City Reading, Inc. – $5 million for the GoggleWorks II projectwhich will support the adaptive reuse of a devastated building on Washington Street in Reading. Once completed, the facility will be home to three high-impact nonprofit organizations, including Helping Harvest and the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.

  • ByHeart, Inc. — $5 million for construction, infrastructure upgrades and land acquisition to expand ByHeart’s infant formula manufacturing facility in Exeter Township, equipping it to advanced production and packaging to improve capacity, capacity and efficiency.

  • Alvernia University — $2 million for the American house projectwhich will establish a community health center on Penn Street in Reading, in partnership with the Berks Community Health Center.

  • The Rose Corporation — $1 million to upgrade its large-scale industrial metals manufacturing facility in Reading to meet growing demand.

  • Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department — $500,000 to establish the Exeter Township Main Emergency Services Facility, a more efficient and centralized location for the township’s emergency services.

  • East Penn Manufacturing — $250,000 for the expansion of East Penn Manufacturing’s wastewater treatment plant.