Six projects in Berks County will receive a combined $6.5 million in state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding, part of nearly $445 million in investments announced Thursday by Gov. Josh Shapiro to support community and economic development projects across Pennsylvania.
The statewide funding will support 356 projects focused on economic development, infrastructure, public safety, workforce development and community revitalization. In Berks County, the grants will fund projects involving higher education, public safety, manufacturing, municipal facilities and industrial development.
The projects receiving funding are:
- Wyomissing Borough: $2 million to construct new public safety and municipal facilities, modernizing police operations and improving local government services.
- Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department: $1.5 million to construct a new emergency services building with a fire station, emergency response facilities and support space.
- South Heidelberg Municipal Complex: $1 million to upgrade the township’s municipal complex with expanded police facilities, public access improvements and building renovations.
- Alvernia University: $750,000 to renovate the American House in downtown Reading into a multiuse facility featuring a community-based health clinic.
- Next Generation Distribution Hub: $750,000 to construct a next-generation distribution hub, consolidating business operations into a new warehouse facility with supporting infrastructure.
- Rose Corporation: $500,000 to support the company’s manufacturing expansion through facility upgrades, increased production capacity and infrastructure improvements.
“It’s my priority to see that the investments we make at the state level have an impact in Berks County,” State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, said. “We have no shortage of projects in the pipeline, which speaks to the fact that our businesses, educational institutions and local governments are experiencing growth. That bodes well for the future of our community, and I’m sure there are many more exciting announcements to come.”
Among the local awards, Alvernia University will receive $750,000 to continue redevelopment of the historic American House at 354 Penn St. in Reading as part of the third phase of its Reading CollegeTowne initiative.
The 45,000-square-foot building, purchased by the university in 2022, is being renovated in partnership with Berks Community Health Center to expand health care access and experiential learning opportunities for students.
Once completed, the facility is expected to serve more than 2,000 individuals during its first year of operation. Plans call for a community-based health center offering primary care, mental health support, nutrition and wellness education, financial literacy education, social services assistance and referral services. The project will also provide at least 50 annual clinical experiences for students in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician associate, social work, and addictions and mental health treatment programs.
Renovations will also create space for the John Paul II Center for Special Learning’s client-operated Special Blends Cafe and additional business incubator space for Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. Construction began in February, and the building is expected to open in 2027.
“The American House project is a cornerstone of the CollegeTowne initiative, demonstrating what is possible when a community-engaged university and its partners come together with a shared commitment to strengthening the region,” Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald said. “We are grateful to Governor Shapiro, Senator Schwank, and Representative Guzman, and countless others for their continued belief and support. This funding will help us bring vital services to downtown Reading while creating high-impact hands-on learning opportunities for Alvernia students.”
RACP is administered by the Governor’s Office of the Budget and provides reimbursement grants for the design, acquisition and construction of projects with regional or multi-jurisdictional impact. The grants require matching funds from non-state sources and are intended to promote economic growth, create jobs and strengthen communities.
“Every day, my Administration is focused on getting stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania — and we’re proud to support hundreds of projects across the Commonwealth that will create jobs, strengthen our economy, and deliver real results for our communities,” Shapiro said. “Through this round of RACP investments, my Administration is investing nearly $445 million in projects to revitalize communities, create more opportunity, and drive long-term growth. Pennsylvania is open for business, and we will continue working with the private sector, nonprofits, and organized labor to make our Commonwealth a leader in economic development, job creation, and innovation.”
