Versión del boletin en español aqui. Dear [firstname],
A few months ago, I announced the $11.7 million I secured for Berks and Chester County nonprofits and municipalities through the Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding Grant process. Shortly after, my team and I, with the assistance of a phenomenal nonpartisan board of community leaders, began working on the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process!
I’m thrilled to share we have selected 15 projects to move forward with that process! Now, there are many steps (which I’ll explain) that still need to happen before our selected projects are official recipients of Community Project Funding Grants. In this update, I’ll break down those steps, share details about each project, and explain why these grants are so beneficial for our community.
Read all about them below, and, as always, reach out if you have any questions.
Community Project Funding Grant Selectees for FY25 |
The Process
Since Congress began Community Project Funding Grants in 2021, each year the majority party for the House of Representatives provides the guidance and updates to the process. This year’s guidance from the House Appropriations Committee made certain organizations no longer eligible, but we were glad to see that many groups in our community were still able to successfully apply!
Once our office received the applications, we worked to ensure the projects met all the guidelines set forth by the House Appropriations Committee, including use of funds, timeline for projects, and much more. I want to thank every organization that submitted projects to address important community needs and the nonpartisan board of community leaders that offered their feedback. I wish we were able to submit all the projects our office received, but each congressional district is limited to submitting no more than 15 projects. This is a community-wide effort and it’s vital that we put forward the best possible projects for consideration.
Our Selections for FY2025 |
This funding is vital to our community, and I am truly excited to announce the 15 Community Projects I’ve submitted for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that, if selected, will update community spaces, improve educational programs, ensure our communities are protected, and much more.
Listed in alphabetical order, the projects are:
Barclay Friends Memory Care Expansion and Renovation Barclay Friends is seeking support to renovate an existing building on its campus to create more capacity for Memory Care patients. These higher-need patients are rising in number, and the local capacity to serve them is inadequate for the current needs of Chester County seniors. Their new facility, when completed, will empower them to double their capacity to serve seniors with dementia at the highest level of care.
City of Reading 11th and Pike Recreation Center Expansion The proposed project would enhance the facility to accommodate more children, including teenagers, by implementing the city's comprehensive recreation facilities and program assessments. This expansion will provide a more inclusive environment that fosters positive peer relationships and mentorship, thereby addressing community concerns such as vandalism and youth crime through increased access to recreational, community, and educational opportunities.
City of Reading Cornerstone at 6th and Chestnut Senior Housing
Connections Work of Berks County Reentry Works Program This funding would go toward Reentry Works, a comprehensive initiative that streamlines the service provision process to reentrants and those soon to be released from the county jail. Reentry Works increases the likelihood of success for reentrants by serving as a centralized resource hub for individuals in the justice system. In addition, it provides a comprehensive case-managed reentry workforce development program designed to empower individuals with the skills and support needed for successful reintegration. Connections Work has provided programs and services to the justice-involved in Berks County, Pennsylvania, since 1975. In 2010 they were involved in the creation of the first reentry workforce development program in the Berks County Jail System (BCJS), and since that time, have grown to be Berks County's largest provider of workforce development services to the justice-involved.
East Whiteland Township Route 30 Corridor Improvements Project This project aims to alleviate congestion while enhancing safety, mobility, quality of life, and sustainability. The request includes FHWA Complete Streets strategies such as consolidating driveways, implementing right-in/right-out access, sidewalks, and crosswalks, and enhancing bus stops with ADA landing pads. Improvements at key intersections, including PA 352 (Sproul Road)/Route 30 and Church Road/Route 30, will include roadway widening to accommodate new turning lanes to improve traffic flow. The project is crucial for enhancing connectivity and vitality in Chester County and the greater Philadelphia Region, serving as a vital link between diverse communities and transportation networks.
Goshen Fire Company EMS and Fire Station Infrastructure Project The funding would be used to demolish the existing 75-year-old fire/EMS station and design, engineer, do site work, and construct a new and updated fire/EMS station. Funding is being sought to assist with the construction of the station itself as it relates to key areas that will be used most frequently, aimed at first responder health and safety, "live-in" volunteer quarters to promote active volunteer service, emergency coordination, and daily facility functionality. This station will continue to serve nearly 35,000 residents in East Goshen, West Goshen, Westtown, and Willistown Townships.
Kennett Square Police Department Force De-Escalation Initiative
Keystone Valley Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement If selected, the fire department would use the proceeds of this grant to replace its inventory of 27 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). These SCBA are in their 15th year of operation. Per the National Fire Protection Agency Standard 1981, SCBAs must be replaced every 15 years. SCBAs are integral pieces of equipment for providing emergency services. They allow firefighters to breathe clean air in hazardous situations where the air is of unsafe quality and heat. Without them, these first responders cannot safely do their jobs.
Ludwigs Corner Fire Company Building Renovation This project would modernize their nearly 50-year-old firehouse to meet the community's needs better, ensuring more effective emergency response and enhanced volunteer firefighter support. This renovation includes additional apparatus bay space, dedicated training and decontamination areas, new bunk rooms, and upgraded community spaces, significantly improving the functionality and safety of the facility.
New London Counseling Center Mental Health Facility Expansion This project would construct six additional offices at the New London Counseling Center's current location in the town of Lincoln University, PA. The New London Counseling Center is a rural mental health clinic, and the money from this grant will be used to expand the facility's space to provide more individual, family, and group therapy and a larger space for community educational programming.
Reading Area Community College Schmidt Training and Technology Center Expansion for Workforce Development This project would address the growing demand for skilled manufacturing workers in the Greater Berks Region, particularly in areas such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) operation and welding. By expanding training opportunities and providing access to industry-recognized programs, Reading Area Community College aims to prepare a diverse workforce for successful careers and meet the evolving needs of the regional manufacturing sector.
Valley Township Public Safety Initiative: Preemption System, Emitters, and License Plate Readers The project would replace the non-working preemption equipment at Business Route 30 (West Lincoln Highway) and Airport Road, purchase seven emitters for the Valley Township Police Cars, and an initial 5-year license plate reader subscription. This project would assist our emergency responders — police/fire/EMS — in safely crossing the intersection and reducing response time. The license plate reader would assist police for those who have not registered their vehicles and assist in detecting vehicles traveling through should there be a need for Amber alert or other types of auto search.
Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company Breathing Air Compressor Purchase This project request is to replace the breathing air apparatus air compressor and filling station used by the Wagontown Volunteer Fire Company. The company's current compressor and fill station is over 25 years old and has recently been placed out of service with no parts available to fix the compressor. This leaves the company no way to refill their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units after a fire. Their SCBAs are key to firefighter safety and well-being, allowing them to operate in unsafe environments. The compressor would enable the company to refill their SCBA at their station after a fire or incident where they are used. Currently, they have to rely on a neighboring station's compressor, meaning their equipment is out of service until refilling is complete.
West Chester University Research on Modeling Technology for Affordable Housing The project objectives include creating location-based models to identify area commuting boundaries, pinpointing local zoning impacts and potential solutions, and establishing a collaborative information platform. After completing the project in a targeted location, the analytical framework and models can be used as a baseline to study other job markets, particularly those within the public sector. Together, these information resources will have the ability to engage local stakeholders and facilitate the development of more effective policies for affordable housing. The models would identify opportunities for stimulating local economic growth and pinpoint areas of socioeconomic inequality associated with the commuting patterns of lower-income jobs throughout the state. 3-D models provide a visual representation of an entire land development plan and allow stakeholders to understand better the spatial relationships between elements such as buildings, green spaces, roads, and infrastructure. Development of these models will be key in assessing traffic and stormwater generation, which are common concerns of existing residents. 3-D models will be developed with ArcGIS Urban, a platform that has advanced abilities to measure impacts such as parking, trips, impact on schools, water use, and more. These models will be scalable for other communities across the country. Multiple design iterations can be explored rapidly and cost-effectively. Using ArcGIS Urban, different zoning scenarios can be tested to fine-tune the layout and density of affordable housing projects to determine the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing outcomes within the regulatory constraints. The model is built upon a scenario-based platform that will allow officials and students to explore development options and policies.
West Grove Memorial Park Expansion The project is a much-needed public facility upgrade that would benefit thousands of individuals in the municipality and surrounding areas who utilize the park daily and year-round. One of the updates made will be the installation of an artificial turf field at the Memorial Park soccer field. Improvements installed with the soccer field include stone storage and stormwater piping, adjacent trees and understory plantings, benches and bleachers, stadium lights, and a new equipment storage building.
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Here I was calling last year's project recipients, you can watch a video of that here.
Next Steps
Now that the projects have been submitted to the House Appropriations Committee, they will be further referred to a relevant subcommittee, such as the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. In the coming weeks, the subcommittees will meet and approve the projects. From there, the entire Appropriations Committee will also have to approve each project. Then the entirety of the House will vote on the legislation which includes these projects, and the Senate must also approve them. When both Chambers agree and vote on the same bill, it will go to the President’s desk for signature.
While the grants are not final yet, please know I will be working closely with my colleagues on the relevant committees and Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman to ensure these projects will eventually be signed into law by President Joe Biden. |
Serving as our community's representative is the honor of my lifetime, and I hope to hear from you soon about any issue that concerns you.
As always, please contact my office if you need assistance.
Be well and see you soon! |
Chrissy Houlahan
U.S. Member of Congress |
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