LANCASTER, Sept. 11 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, today announced that $67,000 in Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Cultural and Historical Support Grants were awarded to two Lancaster County institutions that preserve history and promote understanding of the county’s rich cultural tapestry. “At a time when the Trump administration is trying to whitewash American history, the Rock Ford Foundation and LancasterHistory.org are bravely preserving and sharing evidence-based history about Black, Latinx, AANHPI and LGBTQIA communities’ contributions to Lancaster’s rich cultural, economic and social landscape,” Smith-Wade-El said. “These grants will help counteract the federal government’s assault on who is and what it means to be an American.” The following organizations received grants: $47,000 Lancaster History.org $20,000 Rock Ford Foundation The PHMC grants provide state funding for the operational costs needed to maintain and preserve local heritage. Read more

LANCASTER, Sept. 11 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will host his annual free Senior Health Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Bright Side Opportunities Center, 515 Hershey Ave. Read more

LANCASTER, Sept. 11 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, today announced more than $127,000 in Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Cultural and Historical Support Grants for four Lancaster County institutions that preserve history, inspire interest in science and nature, engage young children’s imagination, and strengthen cultural identities. “As a former high school teacher, I am so grateful for our local museums, which educate us about the world we live in – a world shaped by the past, by the natural world, and by artists’ imaginations,” Rivera said. “This funding will help these local treasures continue their vital work to sustain lifelong learning, build community, and foster cultural engagement.” The following organizations received grants: $20,000 Hands on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster $30,000 Lancaster Science Center $47,000 Lancaster History.org $30,000 North Museum of Nature and Science The PHMC grants provide state funding for the operational costs needed to maintain and preserve local heritage. Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commonwealth Financing Authority: Local Share Account Statewide Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, or councils of government. Non-profits may partner with an eligible applicant to apply on their behalf. Use: Projects in the public interest. Projects that improve the quality of life of citizens in the community. Eligible projects must be owned and maintained by an eligible applicant or a nonprofit organization. Funds: The PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest. Grant requests must be at a minimum $25,000 and no more than $1,000,000. Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 More information: DCED Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2026 PACTT – PA Academic, Career and Technical Training Who May Apply: All existing residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments that are current PACTT Affiliates in good standing and are not on provisional status Use: To advance academic and career/technical training among adjudicated youth receiving services in either residential facilities or from community-based providers or from County Juvenile Probation Departments that are PACTT affiliates Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant Program Who May Apply: Specialty crop growers who experienced a loss of at least 30% of expected production due to freezing temperatures between April 1, 2026 and April 21, 2026 Use: Grants will be awarded on a per-acre basis to help growers recover from lost crops Funds: $10 million in funding is available Application Deadline: September 21, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Agriculture: Pennsylvania Agriculture Innovation Grant Program Who May Apply: A person who grows an agricultural commodity and who has anticipated sales greater than $2,000 per year, a person who processes an agricultural commodity and has anticipated sales greater than $10,000 per year, a person who provides technical assistance or services to farmers for conservation, engineering, veterinary care, animal disease management, farm management, agricultural commodity production, nutrient management or similar services, or a person or cooperative association that utilizes agricultural commodities to create products or energy Use: Grants will reimburse expenses for project planning, on-site project implementation, and larger grants for projects that have a regional impact. Funds: $10 million in funding is available Application Deadline: September 23, 2026 More information: PDA Website Read more