15 Berks projects get a total of $2.2 million in state tax credits

Fifteen projects in Berks County have been awarded a total of more than $2.2 million in state tax credits through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program.

The program encourages private sector investment in projects that will help improve distressed communities by providing tax credits of up to 95% on contributions that businesses donate to support projects that address neighborhood and community problems.

The recipients are as follows:

• Reading Historic Properties has received $500,000 to transform two underutilized buildings into a community support center, a new hub for economic and social revitalization. This $2.67 million initiative will create 11 new jobs and restore the buildings’ exteriors and interiors. The center will house a Real Estate Developer University to train entrepreneurs and provide classroom space for free HIV and STI testing. It may also serve as the headquarters for a statewide homeownership program.

• Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank was awarded $459,000 as part of its ongoing renovation of the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen and Annex at GoggleWorks II, 229 Washington St. The facility produces frozen meals and provides space for nonprofits and affordable apartments.

•  Our City Reading got $414,000 to create two Head Start classrooms and a playground for 34 children at the Helping Harvest Community Kitchen and Annex at GoggleWorks II, 229 Washington St.

• The Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation has received $198,000 to launch a bilingual program to close the poverty gap. The project will offer English-as-a-second language instruction, high school equivalency programs and vocational training to place over 100 people in jobs.

• Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank was awarded $109,850 to fight food insecurity for over 76,000 people in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Funds will be used for food purchases and distribution expenses, supporting over 350 locations, mobile markets and the Community Kitchen.

• Safe Berks got $81,000 to upgrade its confidential safe house to enhance security for victims. The project will improve video surveillance and access control, install solar film on all windows to deter abusers and repair a patio, all to ensure the safety of residents.

• The Reading Hospital Foundation has received $76,500 to launch a Food as Medicine project to help 1,195 food-insecure patients. The program provides healthy food and nutritional education.

• The John Paul II Center for Special Learning was awarded $72,000 to build a new cafe in Reading that will serve as a community-based classroom for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Using specialized equipment, the project will provide hands-on workforce training to 29 students and 10 adults to prepare them for jobs and reduce unemployment.

• The Kutztown University Foundation got $63,000 to combat economic barriers in Berks County’s distressed areas. It will offer technical assistance and financial literacy to over 330 entrepreneurs, aiming to create or retain 50 jobs and help 100 businesses with digital transformation.

• Habitat For Humanity Berks County has received $55,250 to address affordable housing in Mohnton. The organization will build eight new homes. Funds will be used for land acquisition, enabling the entire project to provide homeownership.

• United Way of Berks County was awarded $54,000 to employ 225 high school students to tutor 360 elementary students to combat low literacy. The project aims for 75% of the younger students to achieve a full year of reading growth and will also spark interest in teaching careers.

• The Reading Science Center got $43,875 to add classrooms and a lunch area. This will help it serve 6,000 students and 2,000 public guests and increase interest in STEM careers.

• Centro Hispano Daniel Torres has received $39,000 to cover the cost of 81,000 cartons of milk provided to young people through a program in Reading.

• Berks Encore was awarded $22,750 to provide medically tailored meals to 100 aging adults with chronic conditions. Using funds to cover the $15 daily per-client food cost, the project aims to improve health, reduce hospital admissions and boost independence.

• Alvernia University got $13,500 to launch a lending program at the O’Pake Institute to support underserved entrepreneurs in Reading. The project will offer loans up to $1,200 and provide technical assistance to remove barriers to business growth.

The recipients were announced this week by Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger.

“These Neighborhood Assistance Program projects will deliver meaningful benefits for individuals and families, support low-income areas in ways few programs can and promote the vital public-private partnerships that put communities on a path to fiscal health and long-term prosperity,” Siger said in a release.

State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, a Reading Democrat, said she is grateful to the recipients for helping their neighbors and is proud to continue supporting their important work.

“From combating food insecurity to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault have the support and safety they need, these projects will make a meaningful difference in our community,” she said.