{"id":13760,"date":"2025-10-24T15:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T15:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/13760\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T15:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T15:16:09","slug":"these-berks-county-projects-are-competing-for-a-slice-of-coveted-state-grant-funding-berks-regional-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/13760\/","title":{"rendered":"These Berks County projects are competing for a slice of coveted state grant funding | Berks Regional News"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story was produced by\u00a0the Berks County Bureau of Spotlight PA<\/a>, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at\u00a0spotlightpa.org\/newsletters\/gooddayberks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Local governments, private businesses, and colleges in Berks County are among those seeking more than $92 million collectively from the state to help fund projects they say will benefit the community.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of projects across the commonwealth are vying for Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants. While the legislature authorizes how much will be spent annually through the program, the governor has final approval over who gets a grant.<\/p>\n

Over the years, the program has been criticized for its lack of openness and transparency,\u00a0disproportionate funding<\/a>\u00a0to certain communities, and minimal job creation.\u00a0State audits<\/a>\u00a0have called for increased oversight of the process and the hundreds of millions of dollars doled out through the program.<\/p>\n

The money is supposed to be used for projects that have a cultural, regional, or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other economic measures.<\/p>\n

Applicants must be able to\u00a0match 50% of the total project costs<\/a>, and the project cannot be completed when the application is submitted. Project proposals also cannot be located in a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ), like in the\u00a0city of Reading<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Office of the Budget is\u00a0taking comments until Oct. 30<\/a>\u00a0on the projects proposed for grant funding. Comments can be sent to\u00a0RA-OB-PublicComment@pa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the 18 proposals in Berks County:<\/p>\n

ByHeart expansion<\/p>\n

Ask: $15 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $30 million<\/p>\n

Location: Exeter Township<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Redevelopment Authority of the County of Berks<\/a>\u00a0is requesting a $15 million grant for\u00a0ByHeart, Inc.<\/a>, so the company can expand production of baby formula at its facility on Vanguard Drive in Exeter. The request is the largest among the county\u2019s applications.<\/p>\n

The project estimates creating 50 jobs, but the grant application doesn\u2019t specify how many will be temporary construction jobs versus full-time employment at the plant.<\/p>\n

ByHeart has received $18 million in RACP grants since 2021 for \u201cend use packaging,\u201d with\u00a0$5 million<\/a>\u00a0awarded last year.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Kutztown Elementary School expansion<\/p>\n

Ask: $10 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $23.7 million<\/p>\n

Location: Kutztown<\/p>\n

The Kutztown Area School District is requesting a $10 million grant to help expand and modernize its elementary school. The $23.7 million project will streamline programs, reduce class sizes, and create a \u201cmore collaborative learning environment for both students and staff,\u201d administrators wrote in the grant application. The construction includes upgrading the school\u2019s HVAC system with something more energy efficient.<\/p>\n

The northern\u00a0Berks County school district previously floated<\/a>\u00a0closing Greenwich Elementary to combine kindergarten through 5th grades into one elementary school, but parents and students earlier this year\u00a0expressed concern about Greenwich\u2019s possible closure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The project estimates creating 20 jobs, but the grant application doesn\u2019t say whether they are temporary or permanent. Kutztown schools did not report receiving RACP grants in previous years.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Muhlenberg High School expansion<\/p>\n

Ask: $10 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $39.4 million<\/p>\n

Location: Muhlenberg Township<\/p>\n

\"Muhlenberg<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Muhenberg School District is seeking a $10 million state grant to expand its high school.<\/p>\n

Amanda Fries \/ Spotlight PA<\/p>\n

The Muhlenberg School District is seeking a $10 million grant for the expansion of its high school, adding a new wing with 14 classrooms and renovating the hallways and auditorium.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, the district has seen enrollment explode, necessitating the $39.4 million high school expansion. The construction will help with class sizes and course offerings, while adding extra space. Muhlenberg has a 5-year action plan for upgrades to many of its facilities, including the turf fields and the junior high school. Earlier this year, the\u00a0district broke ground on the new middle school<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The project is estimated to create 20 jobs, but it\u2019s unclear if those are temporary or permanent. The school district did not report receiving RACP grants in prior years.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

F.M. Brown\u2019s Sons\u2019 distribution hub<\/p>\n

Ask: $10 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $20,561,786<\/p>\n

Location: South Heidelberg Township<\/p>\n

The Berks County Industrial Development Authority is asking for a $10 million grant on behalf of\u00a0F.M. Brown\u2019s Sons Inc.<\/a>, so the flour and animal feed milling company can build a distribution warehouse in South Heidelberg Township.<\/p>\n

The money would be used to prepare the site and construct the 120,000-square-foot warehouse.<\/p>\n

The private, family-owned business says the project will create 30 full-time jobs as well as 100 temporary construction jobs while \u201csafeguarding\u201d an existing 168 full-time employees, according to the grant application. It has not received RACP grants in previous years.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Titus Clean Industries\u2019 energy hub<\/p>\n

Ask:\u00a0$5,378,610<\/p>\n

Total project cost:\u00a0$10,757,220<\/p>\n

Location:\u00a0Cumru Township<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Titus Clean Industries, LLC, is asking for a roughly $5.4 million grant to help fund its station repower project, including site preparation, installation of reinforced foundations, and on-site sewer and water extensions. The project proposal estimates creating more than 170 permanent jobs and 1,000 temporary construction jobs.<\/p>\n

Titus\u00a0purchased<\/a>\u00a0the once\u00a0243-megawatt coal-fired power plant<\/a>\u00a0in 2021 with intentions to turn the site into a\u00a0clean energy hub<\/a>. Initial plans will transform the site into a waste-to-steam facility, but Titus is working with other potential tenants on uses like anaerobic digestion and solar.<\/p>\n

The company has not previously received RACP grants and hopes to begin design and permitting work in early 2026.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Broadcast District development<\/p>\n

Ask: $5 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $28,922,875<\/p>\n

Location: Spring Township<\/p>\n

\"Construction<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Berks redevelopment authority is seeking a $5 million grant to help fund site preparation and infrastructure for a mixed-use project in Spring Township.<\/p>\n

Amanda Fries \/Spotlight PA<\/p>\n

The county\u2019s Redevelopment Authority is seeking a $5 million grant to help CG Broadcasting, LLC, redevelop land at Broadcasting and Paper Mill Roads into a mixed-use development. Officials\u00a0broke ground on the project,\u00a0<\/a>located across from Broadcasting Square Shopping Plaza, on Oct. 16.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The work will include site preparation, storm and sanitary sewers, water infrastructure, lighting, and landscaping, like a dog park and nature trail.<\/p>\n

The project estimates 500 temporary construction jobs as well as 400 new, full-time jobs once work is completed. The developer\u00a0began seeking project approvals<\/a>\u00a0late last year, and in September, it announced\u00a0Whole Foods<\/a>\u00a0would serve as an anchor tenant.<\/p>\n

CG Broadcasting is a limited liability company with offices in Wayne. It received a roughly\u00a0$1.5 million transportation grant for traffic improvements<\/a>\u00a0in the area that the company is now seeking to develop, but no RACP grants.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Exeter Township emergency services building<\/p>\n

Ask: $4.5 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $21,966,580<\/p>\n

Location: Exeter Township<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Exeter Township is seeking a $4.5 million grant to help fund the construction of a new station for its\u00a0Volunteer Fire Department<\/a>. The municipality expects to spend nearly $22 million to build a one- to two-story, 22,000-square-foot fire station to better accommodate the department. The station will also be the headquarters for Life Lion EMS.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The project is not estimated to create any jobs, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

Exeter was awarded a $500,000 grant in 2023 for the township\u2019s emergency services building in September. The township\u2019s Board of Supervisors\u00a0approved borrowing up to $12 million<\/a>\u00a0to fund the new station\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Boyertown rail improvements<\/p>\n

Ask: $4,015,899<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $20,079,495<\/p>\n

Location: Boyertown<\/p>\n

The Redevelopment Authority is requesting about $4 million to eliminate and improve crossings and replace three bridges along train tracks in Boyertown. The work also includes adding a visitor center.<\/p>\n

The project is not expected to create any jobs, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

The authority has received a variety of RACP grants over the years, most recently receiving $7 million for incubator businesses and restaurants at\u00a0Goggleworks in Reading<\/a>, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Rose Corporation expansion<\/p>\n

Ask: $4 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $9,916,472<\/p>\n

Location: Reading<\/p>\n

The Rose Corporation<\/a>, a Reading-based industrial fabrication plant, is asking for a $4 million grant to help expand capacity. The Berks County Industrial Development Authority is requesting the grant for the private business to help it with construction costs, upgrade phone systems and electrical power, and add new equipment.<\/p>\n

An estimated 20 jobs will be created from the project, but the application doesn\u2019t say whether those are temporary or permanent positions.<\/p>\n

The Rose Corporation\u00a0received a $1 million RACP grant last year<\/a>, which the company plans to combine with the latest request to help fund the nearly $10 million expansion.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Reading public safety training site<\/p>\n

Ask: $3.9 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $7.8 million<\/p>\n

Location: Cumru Township<\/p>\n

Reading city officials are asking for a $3.9 million grant to redevelop property at 951 Morgantown Road into a public safety training facility and emergency response center.<\/p>\n

The property in Cumru Township was\u00a0purchased<\/a>\u00a0by Reading in 2023 in anticipation of turning it into a public safety training site.<\/p>\n

Reading\u2019s current\u00a0emergency response<\/a>\u00a0facilities are outdated and inadequate, which \u201chinders the ability of police, fire, and EMS to train effectively and respond rapidly to emergencies,\u201d according to the application. The facilities are fragmented, and redevelopment of the 39,000-square-foot building will provide a modern, consolidated space for training and\u00a0operations.<\/a><\/p>\n

The city has not received RACP grants previously, and the project won\u2019t create any new jobs, according to the application.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

RACC Kratz Hall renovation<\/p>\n

Ask: $3 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $6 million<\/p>\n

Location: Reading<\/p>\n

Reading Area Community College<\/a>\u00a0is asking for $3 million to help fund the renovation of campus office space for academic use and student support. College administrators said in the grant application that enrollment has increased, necessitating the need to expand student support space. The project is estimated to create over 100 jobs, but it’s unclear whether they\u2019re permanent or temporary, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

The college has been working with\u00a0Reading officials on floodplain zoning requirements<\/a>\u00a0for the property.<\/p>\n

It previously received a $500,000 RACP grant for renovations to its science labs and $5 million for renovations to the\u00a0Weitz Health Pavilion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Alvernia University American House renovation<\/p>\n

Ask: $3 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $12,293,058<\/p>\n

Location: Reading<\/p>\n

Alvernia University<\/a>\u00a0is asking for a $3 million grant to help pay for the exterior and interior renovations of the first two floors of\u00a0American House<\/a>\u00a0in downtown Reading into a community health clinic. The nearly $12.3 million\u00a0renovation of the historic building<\/a>\u00a0is ongoing, and Alvernia received a $2 million RACP grant in 2023 for American House.<\/p>\n

The project expects to create 200 temporary construction jobs and 20 permanent positions, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

The university received a $7.5 million RACP grant in 2022 for the institution\u2019s\u00a0CollegeTowne renovation<\/a>\u00a0on Penn Street in Reading.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Cumru Township commercial centers<\/p>\n

Ask: $2 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $4.2 million<\/p>\n

Location: Cumru Township<\/p>\n

Cumru Township is asking for $2 million to help turn \u201caging commercial centers\u201d into \u201cvibrant community assets\u201d by upgrading parking lots, incorporating green spaces, and installing public amenities like benches and lighting. The municipality doesn\u2019t specifically identify the commercial center locations.<\/p>\n

The project doesn\u2019t anticipate creating any jobs, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

The township has not received RACP grants in the past.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Olivet Blue Mountain Camp expansion<\/p>\n

Ask: $1,986,177<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $3,936,354<\/p>\n

Location: Hamburg Borough<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks County<\/a>, a nonprofit charter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, is asking for a nearly $2 million grant to help update the camp\u2019s recreational amenities. The roughly $4 million project will include demolition of an old pool and construction of a new junior Olympic-sized one, and includes permitting and design costs.<\/p>\n

An estimated 20 new jobs and 100 temporary construction jobs will be created by the project, according to the grant application.<\/p>\n

The nonprofit is requesting the grant through the county Industrial Development Authority. It received a $1 million RACP grant in 2022 to upgrade safety and infrastructure at four of the club\u2019s sites in Reading.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wyomissing Borough facilities<\/p>\n

Ask: $3 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $6,380,850<\/p>\n

Location: Wyomissing Borough<\/p>\n

The county\u2019s most populous borough is asking for a $3 million grant to help demolish and reconstruct a standalone police department and improve Wyomissing\u2019s existing administrative offices on Reading Boulevard. The standalone police department will be built on existing property, and a covered parking lot will be built adjacent to the police station. Township offices will get a 1,000-square-foot addition for receptions, offices, and council chambers.<\/p>\n

The project application estimates that one job will be created.<\/p>\n

The borough was most recently\u00a0awarded $1 million in 2021<\/a>\u00a0to renovate Wyomissing\u2019s public works and safety facility. It received $1 million in 2006 for\u00a0Wyomissing Square<\/a>, an abandoned textile mill turned into a mixed-use\u00a0development<\/a>, according to the community\u2019s grant application.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Reading Housing Authority family services complex<\/p>\n

Ask: $1,812,757<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $3,625,514<\/p>\n

Location: Reading<\/p>\n

The Reading Housing Authority, through the county Industrial Development Authority, is asking for a roughly $1.8 million grant to turn its\u00a0Glenside<\/a>\u00a0property on Schuylkill Avenue into a family services complex. The first phase of construction will provide a neighborhood resource center offering adult education, workforce development, and on-site child care.<\/p>\n

The project is estimated to create 10 jobs, but it\u2019s unclear whether they\u2019re temporary or permanent.<\/p>\n

The housing authority received a $1 million RACP grant in 2022 for a similar project called the\u00a0Oakbrook Homes Center for Community Services<\/a>. The authority in August broke ground on\u00a0baseball field upgrades<\/a>\u00a0at Oakbrook Homes.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

Reading airport hangars<\/p>\n

Ask: $1,812,757<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $3,625,514<\/p>\n

Location: Bern Township<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Reading Regional Airport Authority<\/a>\u00a0is asking for a roughly $1.8 million grant to add three new hangars to the airport in Bern Township. The state grant would help pay for constructing two of the three hangars that will be able to accommodate some of the largest business jets flying into the airport. The expansion will also include more office space.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0expansion was announced in early October<\/a>\u00a0ahead of the airport\u2019s annual aviation expo. The project is expected to create 10 jobs, but the grant application doesn\u2019t say whether they\u2019re temporary or permanent.<\/p>\n

The airport authority has not received RACP grants before.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

South Heidelberg Township municipal complex<\/p>\n

Ask: $1 million<\/p>\n

Total project cost: $2,060,350<\/p>\n

Location: South Heidelberg Township<\/p>\n

South Heidelberg Township is asking for $1 million to help pay for renovations to township offices and reconfigure its public safety offices for better accessibility. The work will include the construction of a new, less visible parking lot for police patrol vehicles, as well as new entrances for township offices and the police department. It\u2019s not expected to create any jobs.<\/p>\n

The township indicated in its grant application that it has not received RACP grants in prior years.<\/p>\n

Read the application.<\/a><\/p>\n

BEFORE YOU GO\u2026 If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at\u00a0spotlightpa.org\/donate<\/a>. Spotlight PA is funded by\u00a0foundations and readers like you<\/a>\u00a0who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This story was produced by\u00a0the Berks County Bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom. Sign up for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13761,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[128,130,129],"class_list":["post-13760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-reading","tag-reading-city","tag-reading-city-headlines","tag-reading-city-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13760\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}