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A Must See Movie! News from Harrisburg! Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud!

(1 day ago) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Oct 2, 2025 Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Oct 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Farm-to-School Grant Program Who May Apply: A school district, school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal child nutrition program Use: To educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in this Commonwealth Funds: Up to $500,000 is expected to be available for the program Application Deadline: November 14, 2025 More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school Read more

 

CAO Update, Fighting for Food Dignity in Lancaster, RSVP to My Senior Health Fair

(Sep 26, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, The High Holy Days, Days of Awe Our office hopes that all those who celebrated enjoyed a joyous Rosh Hashanah earlier this week. We pray your reflections on the past year will lead to the fulfillment of your dearest hopes in the coming year. We hope that you, your family and your community experience hope and renewal in this sacred time. We wish our Jewish neighbors a blessed and meaningful Yom Kippur this Wednesday and an easy fast. G’mar chatima tova. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 25, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP) Implementation Who May Apply: Non-profit entities and institutions of higher education Use: To assess the quality of services provided to system-involved youth, support providers in creating and implementing quality improvement plans, and measure progress through follow-up evaluations. Funds: A total of $1,400,000 in state Violence and Delinquency Prevention Programs funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $1,400,000 over the 18-month project period. Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Law Enforcement and Youth R/ED Training Who May Apply: Any organization that can demonstrate the ability to provide training and technical assistance to members of law enforcement interacting with youth in their communities, including, but not limited to, police, probation, and school personnel. Use: To provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement entities across the Commonwealth to improve interactions with youth in their communities. Funds: A total of $250,000 in federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $250,000 over the two-year Read more

 

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster

(Sep 23, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, Sept. 23 – State Reps. Nikki Rivera and Ismail Smith-Wade-El, both D-Lancaster, and state Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, co-chair of the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, last week came together to speak about the impact of SNAP changes and cuts in Pennsylvania. Representatives from over 20 organizations were in attendance. “SNAP has for decades enabled low-income Pennsylvanians to put food on their families’ tables,” Rivera said. “Not only will 550 residents in my district lose their SNAP benefits, leaving them not knowing where their next meal is coming from, but the federal budget will also have a devastating impact on our farms, our groceries and our food retailers.” According to Rivera, in December 2024, SNAP provided $366,850,460 in federally funded food assistance benefits that supported grocers, food retailers and farms in PA. “Now that money is gone, our grocery, food retailing and agricultural industries—and all the people they employ—are going to be scrambling to survive,” Rivera said. “The draconian federal budget is going to push our most vulnerable neighbors into desperate circumstances,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Over the next year, more than 144,000 individual Pennsylvanians will lose 100% of their SNAP benefits, with 1,080 of them living in my district. Everyone in our communities is going to be affected, from our schools caring for Read more

 

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Budget Update It’s been 12 weeks since the end of the fiscal year, and we still don’t have a budget. Without a state budget, the School District of Lancaster is being forced to find a $35 million line of credit j ust to keep schools operating and to ensure employees are paid on time. Those borrowed dollars come with interest and fees, money that could otherwise support teachers, counselors Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety

(Sep 19, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

HERSHEY, Sept. 19 – SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania Tuesday evening awarded the Thomas J. Zuber Memorial Patient Safety Award to state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, in recognition of his leadership in passing legislation that protects the safety, dignity and well-being of health care workers, and advancing patient safety. "It’s real simple: nurses take care of our neighbors and the entire commonwealth at every stage of our lives," said Smith-Wade-El. "It’s my honor to fight in Harrisburg and in Lancaster for folks who are fighting for us in delivery rooms, in hospice hallways and in and out of heart surgery." Recipients of the award also included state Rep. La'Tasha Mayes, D-Allegheny; Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato; and UPMC Magee nurses who just won their union. The award is named after Thomas Zuber, a registered nurse whose advocacy efforts led to Act 102 of 2008, the Ban on Excessive Overtime in Health Care. The award is presented by SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania for exemplary solidarity with nurses organizing for a voice in health care and advancing the profession of nursing. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 11, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the State Fire Commissioner: Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Who May Apply: All fire companies, emergency medical services, and volunteer rescue squads Use: Facility improvements, equipment purchases, debt reduction, training, education, and recruitment and retention Funds: Grants will be not less than $2,500 and not more than $20,000 per applicant fire company and no more than $15,000 per applicant emergency medical service. Application Deadline: October 20, 2025 More information: OSFC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Who May Apply: Counties, county jails/county work release centers, Single County Authorities, and/or County Behavioral Health Administrators. Use: To support counties seeking to increase opportunities to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in combination with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individuals in county jails and work release centers and upon release to the community. Funds: A total of $1,130,905 in federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds is being announced to support this initiative. RSAT funds require a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. The applicant’s source for the cash match must be state or local funds. Federal funds may not be used to meet the match requirement. PCCD expects to fund approximately five grants with budgets not to Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Sep 02, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: September 23, 2025 More information: OB website Department of Community and Economic Development: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2025 More information: DCED Website Department of Agriculture: Agriculture and Youth Organization Grant Program Who May Apply: Agriculture and youth organizations, Read more

 

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program

(Aug 29, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Happy Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program Read more

 

Pennsylvania budget, transit funding remain in the balance

(Aug 22, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

As you know, Pennsylvania has yet to reach an agreement on this year’s state budget or on funding for mass transit across the state. These impasses create uncertainty for families, schools, commuters, small business owners and community services that depend on timely state funding. Read more

 

Upcoming Office Closures

(Aug 18, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, Upcoming Office Closures Please note the following office closures due to trainings or community events and plan accordingly if you need our services. We appreciate your understanding! Friday 8/15, closed from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday 8/22, closed all day Monday 8/25, closed all day Friday 8/29, closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Transit Budget Update On Monday, for the fifth time , the PA House passed a bill that would provide funding for mass transit such as Amtrak and Red Rose Transit, which both serve our residents. As none of us loves congested roadways and we all need to get to work, to school, to run errands and more, this bill, HB 1788, would benefit us by making sure our mass transportation systems keep running and helping to repair and maintain our roads and bridges. In short, Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District

(Aug 14, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania-based small businesses Use: Adopt processes or acquire equipment which results in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. Funds: Funding can range from 50% or $7,500 (whichever is less) up to 80% or $12,000 (whichever is less) and will vary depending on environmental impact and project location. A total of $1 million is available in this round of funding. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: DEP website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Funds: $400 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis More information: DCED Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce Read more

 

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures

(Aug 01, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 31, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Broadband Development Authority: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Who May Apply: Cooperative organizations, non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utility companies, public utility districts, municipalities or units of local government, internet service providers registered through the FCC Use: Deploying and/or upgrading broadband network facilities, data collection, broadband mapping and broadband planning Funds: Pennsylvania received $1,161,778,242 in federal funding pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This is the second round of BEAD funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project Application Deadline: August 1, 2025 More information: PBDA Website Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grants Who May Apply: Museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person or an official county historical society. Use: To strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000 Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: PHMC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Sequential Intercept Model Training Initiative (SIM) Read more

 

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry

(Jul 28, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

“Lancaster County has a strong tradition of family-owned businesses. Winemakers have a reasonable concern that Pennsylvania is doing its utmost to support winemaking and Pennsylvania agriculture,” said Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “It will need to be a group effort if we hope to continue to grow the industry.” Read more

 

Come Out for Great Tunes & Support Affordable Housing This Friday

(Jul 25, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbor, The big news this week is that the Todd Miller concert benefitting the Shiloh House is the place to be in Lancaster this weekend! You’ll do some good while feeling good, helping your neighbor while rocking to some great tunes! Also in this newsletter: Upcoming Office Closures Upcoming Community Events Izzy in the District: Mental health services event at CSG & PSEA Leadership Conference Fighting So You Have a Healthier Tomorrow Government Programs: Financial Support for Veterans, the WIC program, and the PA Money Match program Hear Some Great Tunes & Support Affordable Read more

 

Over $1.7 million in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health

(Jul 18, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

Dear Neighbors, Upcoming Office Closures Please note the following office closures and plan accordingly if you need our services. These dates represent times that office staff will be in training or are preparing the materials for 3,000+ families to participate in the 14th Annual Back to School Event. We appreciate your understanding! Friday 8/8, closed from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday 8/11, closed from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Read more

 

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities

(Jul 17, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Who May Apply: Municipalities and counties Use: Advance crisis intervention programs that target the risk factors likely to lead to gun violence and implement projects that support emerging issues and priorities adopted within its SCIP Funding Framework. Funds: A combined total of $4,071,291 in federal FY 2022-2023 and FY 2024 Byrne SCIP Local and Under $10K Share funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately 20 grants with budgets not to exceed $200,000 over the Read more

 

Smith-Wade-El: Over $1.7M in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health

(Jul 16, 2025) Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El

LANCASTER, July 16 – A staunch advocate to improve the lives of City of Lancaster residents, state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, was proud to announce that $1,709,338 in Pennvest funding was awarded to the City of Lancaster to replace 108 lead service lines serving the northwest and west-central regions of the city. The 2,985 feet of 108 service lines to be replaced will help improve the city’s compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule. The lines are in a federally designated disadvantaged and environmental justice community. “Our health is our most precious gift,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Crumbling infrastructure puts that health at risk, especially through the contamination of the water we drink or cook with. This money will protect Lancastrians’ health by removing lead from our water. A healthy population and a clean environment are the basic requirements for our city’s economic growth. I thank the Shapiro Administration for helping to safeguard Lancaster’s public health through this critical investment.” Pennvest provides low-interest loans and grants for new construction or for improvements to publicly or privately-owned drinking water, stormwater or sewage treatment facilities, as well as non-point source pollution prevention best management practices. Pennvest also provides low-interest loans to remediate brownfields sites, to individual Read more

 

A Must See Movie! News from Harrisburg! Protect Yourself from Contractor Fraud!
1 day ago

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Oct 02, 2025

CAO Update, Fighting for Food Dignity in Lancaster, RSVP to My Senior Health Fair
Sep 26, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 25, 2025

Rivera, Smith-Wade-El host Haywood’s Food Dignity Tour in Lancaster
Sep 23, 2025

How the SNAP Cuts are Going to Affect You and Lancaster County
Sep 19, 2025

Smith-Wade-El receives award recognizing his leadership in advancing patient safety
Sep 19, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 11, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Sep 02, 2025

Labor Day and the Mentor-Protégé Program
Aug 29, 2025

Pennsylvania budget, transit funding remain in the balance
Aug 22, 2025

Upcoming Office Closures
Aug 18, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities For Your District
Aug 14, 2025

Downtown Improvements; Upcoming Office Closures
Aug 01, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 31, 2025

PA winemakers explore how to grow local industry
Jul 28, 2025

Come Out for Great Tunes & Support Affordable Housing This Friday
Jul 25, 2025

Over $1.7 million in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health
Jul 18, 2025

Agricultural, Environmental, Public Safety, Redevelopment, Transportation, and Additional Grant Opportunities
Jul 17, 2025

Smith-Wade-El: Over $1.7M in state funding to protect Lancaster City’s public health
Jul 16, 2025