From Office of State Rep. Manuel Guzman
Photo courtesy of Alexander Grey on Unsplash
State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Berks, announced on Thursday, Dec. 18, that three local projects will receive more than $1 million in grant funding through the state’s Local Share Account program. Among the projects benefiting from the funding is the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority.
The grants were awarded to:
- Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority – $406,575 to complete Step 3 of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program for the rail corridor between Reading and Philadelphia via Pottstown. This phase includes preliminary design, engineering, and environmental documentation, and will allow the project to advance into final design and construction for the restoration of passenger rail service. Local Share Account funds will be used for engineering costs. The total project cost is $8.8 million, with additional funding from the FRA CIDP ($7.01 million, pending), SRPRA county funds ($395,000, committed), and other state funds ($395,000, pending).
- GoggleWorks Art Park Phase 2 – $600,000 for the construction cost of turning a neglected lot in downtown Reading into a vibrant cultural, educational, and food hub called El Zocalo. This is a multi-phase project, and in this phase, the funds will be used to create a mini-golf course, garden, green space area, and pavilion. This project will provide a space designed to engage and educate residents and visitors in STEAM, food access, and cultural engagement.
- Berks County Emergency Response Team (BCERT) – $200,000 to purchase, upgrade, and enhance the equipment and capabilities of BCERT. Items to be purchased include long guns, handguns, ballistic shields, weapon optics, night vision equipment, mechanical breaching equipment, helmets, radios for existing vehicles, and robotics.
“These Local Share Account grants represent a major investment in the future of our community,” Guzman said. “From advancing passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia to revitalizing downtown through arts and culture and strengthening public safety across Berks County, these projects will create opportunities, improve quality of life, and move our region forward. I’m incredibly proud to help deliver this critical funding and will keep working to ensure our district receives the resources it needs.”
