READING, Aug. 11 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, announced today that he will partner with Reading Mayor Eddie Moran to host a Back-to-School Resource Fair to help families in need prepare for the school year. Guzman explained that the event will include free school supplies, haircuts, family-friendly activities, and information on local and state programs and services. Guzman noted that the fair continues bringing expanded support and resources to families in the community. “As someone who understands how challenging it can be for many families to prepare their children for a new school year, my goal is to help ease that burden,” Guzman said. “I want to make sure students are ready to start the year with confidence and without added stress. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed -- and that starts with having the right tools and support from day one. “Twenty-five hair professionals will provide free haircuts and styling to help kids get ready for school. We will also offer free refreshments, free parking on 6th and Cherry from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and plenty of family-friendly surprises.” "I’m deeply grateful to Empire Beauty School for generously volunteering their students' time for such a worthy cause, and to Crown and Lens Hair Studio, along with many other sponsors, whose commitment will make a meaningful difference and is already helping create an Read more
Medical Assistance Ended? Act Now to Get Covered Through Pennie! Did your Medical Assistance eligibility just change? Don’t panic — you DON’T have to go uninsured! You might qualify for awesome, low-cost health coverage through Pennie. It’s super easy to check out your options and find a plan that fits your needs and budget. Go check out pennie.com NOW and find the plan that’s right for you! Let’s get you covered! Purple Heart Day: A Salute to Courage, Service, and Sacrifice Purple Heart Day, observed on August 7th each year, honors the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life. It's a day to recognize their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to defending our country. More Time to Apply! Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to Dec. 31. This rebate means money back in the pockets of our older friends and neighbors here in Berks County – and I’m ready to help you apply! Read more
¿Terminó tu Asistencia Médica? ¡Actúa ahora para obtener cobertura a través de Pennie! ¿Tu elegibilidad para Asistencia Médica cambió recientemente? ¡No te preocupes! ¡No tienes que quedarte sin seguro! Podrías calificar para un seguro médico excelente y de bajo costo a través de Pennie. Es muy fácil revisar tus opciones y encontrar un plan que se ajuste a tus necesidades y a tu presupuesto. Visita pennie.com AHORA y encuentra el plan ideal para ti. ¡Vamos a asegurarte! Día del Corazón Púrpura: Un homenaje al valor, servicio y sacrificio El Día del Corazón Púrpura, que se celebra cada año el 7 de agosto, honra a los valientes hombres y mujeres de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos que fueron heridos en combate o que hicieron el máximo sacrificio entregando su vida. Es un día para reconocer su valentía, sacrificio y dedicación en defensa de nuestro país. Tu voz puede salvar una vida Usa Safe2Say para reportar preocupaciones El tiempo de preparación para el regreso a clases ha comenzado. A medida que iniciamos el año escolar, recuerda: si ves algo que te hace pensar que alguien que conoces podría ser un peligro para sí mismo o para otros, Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 22, 2025 More information: RAAC Website Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Transportation Grant Who May Apply: Redevelopment authorities, rail companies, and for profit businesses Use: Investments in rail structure to keep and/or boost economic development. Funds: $41 million in funding is available. Application Deadline: August 29, 2025 More information: PennDOT Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Endowment Act – Treatment Training Who May Apply: For-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), unit of local government, or schools including colleges and universities. Use: This funding is specifically for the training of persons who treat adult and/or child victims/survivors of child sexual abuse. Funds: A total of $250,000 in state Endowment Act funds is being announced to Read more
“The CRIZ designation for Reading is a game-changer, and what we hope will spur an economic boom in the city of Reading for years to come,” said state Rep. Manny Guzman, who represents portions of Reading and hosted Tuesday’s event. “A rejuvenated downtown will help create jobs and improve the lives of our residents for years to come.” Read more
“We heard loud and clear from winemakers about some of the issues they are facing,” said Rep. Manny Guzman, who represents portions of Berks County and serves as the Chairman of the Central PA House Delegation. “Winemakers are looking for legislation to support, promote and protect our homegrown wines and local businesses.” Read more
The time to raise the wage is long overdue! It’s been 16 years since Pennsylvania’s minimum wage was last increased, remaining stuck at just $7.25 per hour. I proudly voted to raise wages for over one million hardworking Pennsylvanians, helping to build an economy that works for everyone—not just a few. Families in Reading deserve good-paying jobs with benefits that provide real security and support. I am committed to fighting every day to make sure those opportunities become a reality for our community. National Night Out in Reading Read more
Es tiempo de aumentar el salario mínimo Han pasado 16 años desde que se aumentó el salario mínimo en Pensilvania, que sigue siendo solo $7.25 por hora. Voté para dar un aumento a más de un millón de trabajadores en Pensilvania y ayudar a construir una economía que funcione para todos. Reading merece empleos bien remunerados con beneficios que apoyen a las familias trabajadoras — y estoy luchando para lograrlo. ¡Prepárate para la Cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases! ¡Reserva la fecha! Me alegra invitarte a la cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases. Acompáñame el viernes 15 de agosto en este evento comunitario en colaboración con el Alcalde Eddie Moran. Será un día de diversión que incluirá mochilas gratis, útiles escolares, cortes de cabello gratuitos y mucho más. ¿Necesitas Limpiar Tu Historial? Clínica Gratuita de Indultos y Expurgaciones en Reading Acompáñanos el próximo martes, 7 de octubre, de 11:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. en Tech Centro – Berks Latino Workforce, ubicado en el 450 S. 6th Street. Usa el código QR para registrarte y Read more
Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino, As always , here is some information I hope you find useful. For Spanish readers, please read the full Spanish-language version of this email here. Para los lectores en español, lea una versión completa de este boletín electrónico en su idioma aquí. Como siempre, aquí les presento información que espero pueda ser de utilidad. Y no olvides visitar mi página oficial para mantenerte informado. También puede verificar sus preferencias para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos. Important Update for Disabled Veterans in Reading! New opportunity for disabled veterans in Reading! If you applied for the real estate tax exemption in the past and were denied — there’s good news! The eligibility criteria have been updated this year , and you may now qualify for this valuable benefit. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the support you’ve earned through your service. It’s worth reapplying! To learn more about this and check your Read more
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
¡Prepárate para la Cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases! ¡Reserva la fecha! Me alegra invitarte a la cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases. Acompáñame el viernes 15 de agosto en este evento comunitario en colaboración con el Alcalde Eddie Moran. Será un día de diversión que incluirá mochilas gratis, útiles escolares, cortes de cabello gratuitos y mucho más. Oportunidad de Financiamiento para Pequeños Negocios y Proyectos en el Centro de Reading ¿Quieres darle nueva energía al centro, apoyar a los pequeños negocios o mejorar los espacios públicos? El programa de subvenciones Main Street Matters ya está abierto — ¡y Reading es elegible! Grupos locales, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y distritos comerciales pueden postular para obtener fondos y lograr un cambio real. Para más información, haz clic aquí. Fecha límite: noviembre ¡Invirtamos en el futuro de Reading! ¡Actualización importante para veteranos discapacitados en Reading! Si solicitaste la exención del impuesto sobre bienes raíces y fuiste rechazado, ¡buenas noticias! El Read more
¡No pierdas la oportunidad! Solicita la Subvención Estatal de PA La Subvención Estatal de Pensilvania es una ayuda económica basada en la necesidad que no tienes que devolver, ¡pero debes solicitarla! Incluso si ya enviaste tu FAFSA, la Subvención Estatal de PA tiene su propio proceso. Visita pheaa.org/SignIn para completar tu solicitud y verificar tu estado. ¡No esperes más! Solicita hoy. ¡El Distrito Escolar de Governor Mifflin está contratando paraprofesionales a tiempo completo y medio tiempo! ¿Sabías que no necesitas un título universitario para ser paraprofesional? ¡Es cierto! Ser paraprofesional es una excelente opción para quienes ingresan al mundo laboral por primera vez, para quienes desean iniciar una carrera en el ámbito educativo mientras estudian, o para padres que buscan un horario laboral que coincida con el de sus hijos. El Distrito Escolar de Governor Mifflin está contratando paraprofesionales a tiempo completo y medio tiempo en todos los niveles escolares, ¡con un salario inicial de $16.20 por hora! Obtén más información y presenta tu solicitud en línea hoy mismo en gmsd.org/careers. ¿Listo para dar el siguiente paso en tu carrera? Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Who May Apply: Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments or nonprofits with a separate eligible applicant. Use: To construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, incorporate community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, provide environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, create trail projects that serve a transportation purpose, and provide for vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects. Funds: $80 million in funding is available through the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Block Grant Program. Awards will be at least $50,000 and at maximum $1.5 million. This is a reimbursement program and no funds are provided upfront. Application Deadline: Webinar will be held July 9, 2025. Application period opens July 14, 2025. Draft applications due September 5, 2025. Final applications due October 31, 2025 More information: PennDOT 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 Read more
HARRISBURG, JUNE 26 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, today announced the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed his legislation to ensure that students in the City of Reading and across the commonwealth have access to a career path that leads to family-sustaining jobs. Guzman said this legislation would give students, especially those interested in hands-on, career-ready paths, a real opportunity to start their journey toward becoming licensed barbers while still in high school. The Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program has shown success, and his bill ensures that the program continues without interruption, keeping existing progress in place. “In Reading, where over 90% of public-school students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds , the transition from school to the workforce is often marked by uncertainty, limited job prospects, and financial hardship for both students and their families,” he said. “Reading students are not lacking in ambition or talent—but they are too often lacking access to career pathways that lead to family-sustaining jobs. The continuation of the Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Program directly addresses this challenge by equipping students with professional skills that are in demand, licensable, and immediately employable,” he added. House Bill 1626 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative Who May Apply: Units of local government, nonprofit organizations (including community-based and statewide organizations), institutions of higher education, and state government agencies. Use: To support programming that focuses on firearm-related suicide prevention. Funds: A total of $1 million in federal 2024 Byrne SCIP funds in available. PCCD expects to fund 4 to 6 grants over a 21-month period. Application Deadline: September 9, 2025 More information: PCCD 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 Read more
¡Las comidas gratis de verano están de regreso para niños y adolescentes! Puedes conseguir alimentos para tus niños enviando un mensaje con la palabra FOOD o COMIDA al 914-342-7744. La icónica Pagoda de Reading está siendo sometida a una necesaria mejora en su sistema eléctrico. Por favor, evite transitar por la zona mientras se realizan estos trabajos. Se estima que el proyecto tomará entre cinco y seis meses. La visita de la Asociación de Realtors de Reading-Berks al Capitolio estatal Fue un placer recibir hoy en mi oficina del Capitolio Estatal a la Asociación de Realtors de Reading-Berks para conversar sobre sus valiosas contribuciones a nuestra comunidad, los desafíos que enfrentan y sus metas para el futuro. La asociación desempeña un papel clave en la protección de los derechos de propiedad y en el fomento de una región vibrante e inclusiva. ¡Prepárate para la Cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases! ¡Reserva la fecha! Me alegra invitarte a la cuarta entrega Read more
Otro paso hacia dignidad y salarios justos para todos Me enorgullece haber votado a favor de un aumento salarial para que los trabajadores de Reading y del condado de Berks tengan un salario digno que les permita mantener a sus familias y no solo sobrevivir, sino también prosperar. El miércoles pasado, la Cámara de Representantes de Pensilvania votó a favor de un proyecto de ley histórico que aumentaría el salario mínimo en Pensilvania por primera vez en más de una década. La Cámara estatal tomó medidas para aumentar el salario mínimo a $15 en 20 condados y a $12 para quienes viven en zonas rurales más pequeñas. Este representa un avance significativo en la lucha por el bienestar económico de nuestra comunidad. ¡Prepárate para la Cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases! ¡Reserva la fecha! Me alegra invitarte a la cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases. Acompáñame el viernes 15 de agosto en este evento comunitario en colaboración con el Alcalde Eddie Moran. Será un día de diversión que incluirá mochilas gratis, útiles escolares, cortes de cabello gratuitos y mucho más. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Mixed-Use Revitalization Program Who May Apply: Developers (person or business entity with a demonstrated history of advancing commercial or mixed-use redevelopment projects Use: A community revitalization project that promotes economic growth and includes commercial assets. Eligible projects must be on at least 15 acres of land, contain at least 200,000 square feet of proposed development that has not received a certificate of occupancy as of 7/11/24, and be zoned for planned end use. Funds: Grant amount shall not exceed more than twice the amount of matching funds provided by the developer or $3,000,000, whichever is less. Application Deadline: August 31, 2025 More information: CFA Website Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Grant Who May Apply: Individuals or organizations focused on agriculture research Use: Research on topic areas listed here Funds: All funding is contingent upon 2025-2026 budget appropriations Application Deadline: July 25, 20225 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: Read more
¡Prepárate para la Cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases ! ¡Reserva la fecha! Me alegra invitarte a la cuarta entrega de la feria de Regreso a Clases. Acompáñame el viernes 15 de agosto en este evento comunitario en colaboración con el Alcalde Eddie Moran. Será un día de diversión que incluirá mochilas gratis, útiles escolares, cortes de cabello gratuitos y mucho más. Pavimentación de calles en nuestra comunidad Me complace compartir que la pavimentación ha comenzado oficialmente en la Avenida Perkiomen, la Calle 11 Sur y Mineral Road, en respuesta directa a las preocupaciones expresadas por los residentes de estos vecindarios. Este trabajo es parte de mi compromiso para mejorar las condiciones de las carreteras y garantizar la seguridad de toda nuestra comunidad. El Secretario de Transporte Mike Carroll a Reading vino a Reading para evaluar la condición de las calles personalmente. Gracias a su liderazgo y al constante apoyo del Gobernador Josh Shapiro estas importantes vías fueron incluidas en el Plan de Pavimentación de Verano 2025 de PennDOT. Un enorme agradecimiento a todos los residentes que alzaron la voz y abogaron por estas mejoras. Sus voces fueron escuchadas, y ahora el trabajo de Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
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645 Penn St.5th FloorReading, PA 19601-3543
P*: (610) 376-1529
F*: (610) 378-4406
Hours of Operation - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The office has staff ready to assist you in Spanish and English.
32 East WingPO Box 202127 Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 787-3525