"I remain committed to fighting for criminal justice reform and ending mass incarceration, and while much more work still needs to be done, I’m pleased to see that one of these grants will allow the Berks County Jail System to decrease its incarcerated population,” Rep. Guzman said. Read more
As a former member of the Reading School Board, I’m well aware of the inequities in funding schools such as Reading face. It’s a relief to see state funds going to a quality program that provides teachers and students with information they can use to improve and grow. Read more
STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries: Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities (Funding Source: Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund) Who May Apply : Local public libraries (state-aided). Must partner with a sponsoring municipality. Use : To plan, acquire, construct, or rehabilitate public library facilities including, but not limited to: ADA upgrades, new roof, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction. Funds : Funding limits not yet announced. Grants require a dollar-for-dollar match; match may include cash, in-kind contributions, federal funds, and other state funds. Letter of Interest : As soon as possible. Letters of interest are currently being accepted in anticipation of opening an application round this summer. The dates of the next application round are still being finalized. More Information : Click on https://www.statelibrary.pa.gov/libraries/subsidies-and-grants/pages/keystone-recreation-park-and-conservation-funds.aspx . Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency: FY 2021 Gun Violence Reduction Grants (Funding Source: General Fund ) Who May Apply : Community-based organizations and local units of government across the Commonwealth with the highest rates of gun violence. Use : Projects that lead to immediate impacts. Read more
READING, May 26 – State Reps. Mark Rozzi and Manny Guzman announced today a state investment in affordable housing in Reading. According to the lawmakers, $200,000 in state Redevelopment Authority grant funding to help rehabilitate and sell properties will help address a shortage of affordable housing in Reading. "Rehabilitating Reading neighborhoods' is a priority," Reading Mayor Eddie Moran said. "We are equally committed to bringing economic development as to invest in our surroundings. With these funds, we can now invest comprehensively and adequately in communities that urgently need improvements. Public investment and partnerships are essential to continue making our city more livable, walkable, sustainable and affordable." $75,000 in Blight Remediation Program funds were awarded in the City of Reading's South of Penn area. The county will oversee rehabilitation on three properties they currently own. Once the three property renovations are completed, these affordable homes can be sold. The total project cost is $575,000 with Reading HOME Program providing $150,000, Wyomissing Foundation providing $100,000 and Customers Bank Loan providing $250,000 of matching funds. “Our focus is investment into people who want to live and work in Reading,” Guzman, D-Berks, said. “Housing insecurity and blight have been a concern for some time throughout many areas and they have only Read more
Send questions to RepGuzman@pahouse.net. Read more
READING, May 10 – State Rep. Manuel Guzman, D-Reading, and the Reading Redevelopment Authority showed the House Democratic Policy Committee how an infusion of investment could benefit Reading and how that success could be duplicated in communities across the state. Overcoming post-pandemic concerns for public safety was a point of concern from Reading Economic Development Director Jamal Abodalo. Alvernia University President John Loyack discussed the university’s renovation and small business incubator investments in Reading. “We have the potential to help lift people out of poverty with investments that would revitalize communities, encourage private investment and put people to work, said Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro. “We must capitalize on federal funding to help people across the state recover from the hardships of the pandemic.” “Our PA Rescue Plan would get money to local businesses, working people and schools to help them recover and thrive as we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Guzman said. “In the absence of any plan on the part of the majority party in Harrisburg to direct federal pandemic relief funds to these areas, I am happy to welcome my colleagues to the heart of Reading’s Keystone Opportunity Zone so that we can show the public how the plan I am working to enact would improve cities like Reading and communities throughout the state.” The PA Rescue Plan proposes a $475 Read more
READING, May 6 – The media is invited to join Rep. Manny Guzman and the House Democratic Policy Committee for a tour of how the PA Rescue Plan would deliver for downtowns. The tour will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, May 10 at Reading City Hall, 815 Washington St., near the heart of Reading’s Keystone Opportunity Zone. Immediately following the tour at 2 p.m., the committee will host a media opportunity for press to discuss the PA Rescue Plan with legislators and participants. The PA Rescue Plan aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan . READING, 6 de mayo – Se invita a los medios de comunicación a unirse al representante Manny Guzmán y al Democratic Policy Committee de la Cámara de Representantes para una gira sobre cómo el Plan de Rescate de Pennsylvania podría funcionar en los centros urbanos. El recorrido comenzará a la 1 p.m. el lunes 10 de mayo en Reading City Hall, 815 Washington St., cerca del corazón de la Zona de Oportunidades de Reading. Inmediatamente después de la gira a las 2 p.m., el comité presentará una oportunidad para que la prensa discuta el Plan de Rescate de la Pennsylvania con legisladores y participantes. El Plan de Rescate de PA tiene como objetivo garantizar que los fondos del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense Read more
Shots are available; Governor Wolf visits Reading; Hay vacunas disponibles; El gobernador Wolf visita Reading Read more
“I’m thrilled to see the state make this important and valuable investment in the Latino community in Berks County.” Read more
HARRISBURG, April 28 — State Reps. Rick Krajewski, Mark Rozzi, Danilo Burgos and Manuel Guzman have authored legislation that would make it easier for youth to access a copy of their birth certificate, which is especially important for youth experiencing homelessness or other challenges where a copy of their birth certificate is essential to getting a job or accessing programs or services. "We must support young people who deserve to have access to every opportunity they need to thrive,” said Krajewski, D-Phila. “Access to birth certificates helps our youth apply for a job, a passport, bank account, housing opportunities, a driver’s license, or to receive services from the government or community-based organizations. These programs and services are essential for youth becoming successful adults. I am proud to work alongside Representatives Rozzi, Burgos, and Guzman to introduce this bill." “Our legislation would disrupt what would likely become a cycle of poverty,” said Guzman, D-Berks. “The youth who need their birth certificate but don’t have access to a copy of it are often youth who are estranged from their family or lacking in a support system. Poverty is cyclical and those in poverty often face huge challenges to work their way out of poverty. Being able to access services and programs is crucial and having a birth certificate is essential to accessing many support programs.” “Sadly, some Read more
In this week's update, learn about a walk-up vaccination clinic in Reading, the expansion at Mary's Shelter, the opening of a new business and more. Read more
This is a grant program established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, and is administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance. Read more
The Buttonwood Gateway West project has long been a goal for city officials and business leaders. More projects like this are needed, where community development projects like this one deliver access to affordable housing, schools, health care and jobs. Read more
Here are the latest state grant programs that recently opened for applications, as well as a federally funded American Rescue Plan grant opportunity available to humanities organizations. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 16 – State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11 th district) and state Reps. Mark Rozzi (D-126 th district) and Manny Guzman (D-127 th district) announced a grant totaling $129,230 has been approved for the city of Reading through the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. The grants project includes: City of Reading: Approved for $129,230 for a project to replace approximately 2,700 feet of dated log and cable guiderail at four separate street sites. “I’m glad to see the city of Reading pursue all avenues possible when it comes to funding important safety updates,” Schwank said. “The new guiderails will protect both motorists and pedestrians.” The approved project was one of 43 announced throughout the state Friday to address improvements in highway, bridge, rail, pedestrian trails and bike trails. “The fact that the state managed to cover about 70 percent of the estimated cost of this project is fantastic,” Rozzi said. “This project will improve the safety in our city, and it eases the financial burden on our city and taxpayers.” PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on criteria such as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency and operational sustainability. “This is a much-needed project to help improve the safety in our city,” Guzman Read more
“I’m excited that Albright College has been named as one of 26 recipients of a PAsmart Advancing Grant, paving the way for Pennsylvania’s students to prepare to successfully enter the workforce and help grow our state’s economy,” state Rep. Manny Guzman said. Read more
In this week's update, learn about legislation I'm supporting and what's happening in our district. Read more
In this week's community update, find a link to my latest town hall, news on vaccines and a note about Reading's state championship run. Read more
Click here to watch. Email your questions ahead of or during the live web event to RepGuzman@pahouse.net. Read more
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