HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced today that nearly $700,000 in state funding has been awarded to support community improvement projects and local museums in her legislative district. Rivera advocated for grants awarded through the statewide Local Share Account, funded by the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, as well as the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which supports the development, rehabilitation, and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails, and river conservation projects. “These grants will enhance the quality of life in our district by improving local trails and constructing a new pedestrian bridge in Manheim Township’s Stonehenge Linear Park,” Rivera said. “These projects will benefit our community in many ways, from providing opportunities for residents to achieve health goals by walking scenic trails, to improving park accessibility so people of all ages can enjoy it and fostering a stronger sense of community.” The project awarded LSA funding in Rivera’s legislative district is: $123,399 to Manheim Township to be used for construction costs to demolish and build a new pedestrian footbridge located in Stonehenge Linear Park. Rivera also worked with fellow lawmakers in the region to help secure the following LSA grant: $400,000 to East Hempfield Township for the Little Conestoga Creek Blue/Green Read more

STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Scott Conklin announced today that more than $859,000 in new grants will fund a range of public safety, transportation and community improvement projects in Legislative District 77. Conklin, who serves as majority chairman of the PA House Commerce Committee, said the new funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will help local municipalities carry out essential repairs and upgrades to improve services in the district. “These new funds will support projects to bring safer pedestrian travel, more efficient police and public safety services and improved amenities in our downtown,” Conklin said. “I am grateful to the CFA and our community partners for helping to secure this funding, which will improve safety and quality of life for residents.” Conkling said the funding, awarded under the Local Share Account, includes: $300,000 to Philipsburg Borough to replace damaged sidewalk sections in the downtown business area, including sidewalks on Front Street and the block of Laurel, Sixth, Seventh, and Pine streets. $133,110 to State College Borough to replace 70 trash and recycling receptacles throughout the downtown area. $125,000 to Ferguson Township for pedestrian crossing improvements to the Science Park-Circleville crossing, including additional lighting, signage, a pedestrian refuge island, a pedestrian-activated warning light and various crosswalk Read more

HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D–Lancaster, announced today that nearly $1.8 million in state funding has been awarded for community improvement projects and local museums across his legislative district. Smith-Wade-El advocated for grants awarded through the statewide Local Share Account, which is funded by the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, as well as the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program, which supports the development, rehabilitation, and improvement of public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails, and river conservation projects. “This state funding will make a real difference in our community -- from expanding affordable housing to creating more community centers and improving our trailways,” Smith-Wade-El said. “I am honored to have helped bring this funding home to support these worthy projects. I want to thank my fellow legislators who also advocated for these grants and give a huge shout-out to the many dedicated people who spearheaded these initiatives to improve their neighbors’ lives. Compassion and collaboration are what community is all about.” Projects awarded LSA funding in Smith-Wade-El’s legislative district include: 250,000 to Lancaster City/Chestnut Housing Corp. to transform a long-vacant historical building into 1,100 square feet of office/meeting space and 11 new affordable apartments called the Dinah's Hill Apartments. Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Violence Intervention & Prevention (VIP) + Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Combined Grant Program Who May Apply: Community-based nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status (VIP or BOOST), municipality, county, or district attorney’s office (VIP only), institute of higher education (VIP only), school district or career and technical center (BOOST only), library (BOOST only). Use: VIP + BOOST funds can be used to support a wide range of eligible activities designed to reduce and respond to community violence. Funds: Approximately $60 million in state funding is available, with no less than $11.5 million designated for BOOST funding. Application Deadline: January 26, 2026 More information: PCCD website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Statewide Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Program Who May Apply: Statewide youth-serving nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(4) status. Use: Funds for the proposed program may be used to support upstream prevention initiatives focused on school-age youth who are at risk, such as mentoring and OST programs. Funds: No less than $11.5 million in state VIP funding has been designated for BOOST funding. Application Deadline: January 26, 2026 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Read more

LANCASTER, Dec. 16 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Nikki Rivera, both D-Lancaster, today announced the approval of over $4.7 million from the Neighborhood Assistance Program to help low-income people and communities and improve distressed areas in Lancaster County. The funding was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Through NAP, businesses can receive tax credits of up to 95 percent on contributions they make to a qualifying community project. “Thanks to NAP’s tax credits, our local businesses are investing in projects that will empower residents and energize our communities,” Smith-Wade-El said. “These public-private partnerships will go a long way to helping to address persistent socio-economic problems like the lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, workforce development, blight and public safety in Lancaster.” “NAP’s tax credits are a game changer for Lancaster County’s businesses and communities,” Rivera said. “They will help build up our communities, which in turn will drive our local economy. I am grateful to the Shapiro administration for its financial support of Lancaster County, and its faith in our future. I will continue to advocate for more dollars to be allocated for Lancaster-based projects.” The following programs received Charitable Food Program funding: $1,864,200 to Blessings of Hope to support its Read more