Representative Chrissy Houlahan

Lea los boletines informativos en español aquí.

Greetings! In this newsletter, you’ll find an update on my visits throughout our District, information on our internship program and application process, and details and deadlines for the Congressional App Challenge. Read on for more!

I’m excited to share with you some of the incredible visits I’ve had while spending time in our community over the past few weeks. Whether visiting with local businesses, meeting with librarians, or speaking with our veterans, I am always learning something new and finding new ways to bring our shared challenges and your personal concerns to my work in D.C.

This time, I had the opportunity to meet with so many of you who are working hard to keep our local economy thriving. From small businesses to large corporations, we are surrounded by innovators and dedicated workers that are the backbone of our hardworking community. (By the way, if we haven’t been to your business or organization recently and you’d like to update us on your work, please submit this form on my website, and hopefully, we can make it happen!)

Some Of My Recent Visits

I visited the PROPEL Tech Hub in Philadelphia, where a lot of our district community members are employed. The tech hub is making significant strides in medical technology thanks to the CHIPs and Sciences Act, which I proudly supported. With my background in engineering, teaching, and entrepreneurship, I loved nerding out on their work and seeing the many initiatives that are making southeastern Pennsylvania a global leader in precision medicine.

I was in Reading again, this time for an informative and inspiring walking tour focused on redevelopment. Joining me for the tour were Mayor Eddie Moran, GRCA president Lucine Sihelnik, and Alan Shuman of Shuman Development Group.

Chrissy Houlahan, Mayor Moran, and Lucine Sihelnik

I started at the Community General Hospital, which has received $5 million in federal funding from the New Market Tax Credits program to restore the facility. This will keep about 400 jobs downtown and create about 95 more when the project is complete.

Next, we went to the Berks County Trust Building, which recently completed its renovation, funded in part with $2.5 million in federal New Market Tax Credits and $3 million in federal Historic Tax Credits. Operating as Vision Federal Credit Union’s eastern Pennsylvania operations center, the project created 120 jobs, 39 quality workforce housing apartments, and a downtown food court incubator. (Pro tip: try the donuts!)

Last, we stopped by the Trexler Mansion. The mansion is undergoing a complete renovation, partially funded with $1.5 million of federal Historic Tax Credits and American Rescue Plan Act funds. This historic building has been sitting vacant for nearly 50 years and will return another beautiful event and community space to downtown Reading. View more photos from this tour here.

Last week, I swung by the Oxford Library to give its staff and board of directors a Congressional commendation award to thank and honor their 240 years (wow, that’s a lot!) of service to our community.

It was a lovely opportunity to tour the library. I even had the chance to decorate and add a “pumpkin” to their pumpkin patch display. Thank you to the staff at Oxford Library for all that you do. Here’s to another 240 years!

On Friday of last week, I was honored to visit Cleveland-Cliffs in Coatesville to welcome Acting Secretary Julie Su and U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai to our community. Coatesville’s history in steel production goes back two hundred years, and as one of the remaining steel mills in the country, Cleveland Cliffs is proudly carrying the legacy forward. This was a great opportunity to see their work and speak directly with our steelworkers, members of USW Amalgamated Local 1165 Chester County.

I’m proud to work with the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that we continue investing in and protecting the jobs and industries that are essential to our nation's strength and future.

Calling All Interns

The deadline for applying to our Spring 2025 internship program is Sunday, October 20! We are looking for press and legislative interns interested in learning about the functions of a Congressional office and serving our community. We like to have interns in all three of our offices (Reading, West Chester, and D.C.). To learn more about the internship and application process, click here.

The Congressional App Challenge Deadline is October 24

I also want to invite middle and high school students in our community to participate in The Congressional App Challenge, with apps due by Thursday, October 24, at 12 p.m. Last year, our winner was Faizaan Siddique, who created an app to tackle the parking problems many drivers in PA face by providing real-time parking information at truck stops. You can find information about his app here. I can’t wait to see what our students create this year! Click here for more details and to register.

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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