Jan. 23 Email: $3.5 million in new state grants for the 165th District

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara January 24, 2026

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Dear Neighbor,

One of my key roles in Harrisburg is advocating for the needs of Delaware County. This often involves collaborating with municipal and county officials to secure state funding for a wide range of projects—from emergency vehicles and streetscape improvements to water and sewer system upgrades and building renovations. These investments are essential, as our communities depend on this support to thrive.

I was proud this week to announce nearly $3.5 million in new grants for the 165th District. This funding, coming from several state programs, will support critical infrastructure and public safety projects across our communities. I remain committed to being a strong advocate for Delaware County in Harrisburg, and I encourage any local official who believes their community could benefit from a state grant program to reach out to my office. My team and I are always ready to help!

Read more about this week’s grant awards here.

SEPTA’s the way to go to the flower show

Planning a trip to the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show? SEPTA is a convenient way to get there, especially if you prefer not to drive into the city.

The Flower Show runs February 28 through March 8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. If you are 65 or older and plan to use SEPTA, my office can assist you with a senior pass. Please stop by as soon as possible, as SEPTA senior passes take approximately 4–6 weeks to arrive by mail.

Starting the process early will help ensure you’re ready to travel when the flower show begins.

Expected winter storm – be prepared

With the powerful winter storm expected to hit our region this weekend, make sure you’re prepared. For travel conditions on the roads, you can check www.511pa.com before you travel. You can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles. 511PA also shows plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. For more tips on winter driving, check out PennDOT.pa.gov/Winter.

Delaware County’s Health Department has resources available during code blue situations, including warming centers. You can see the full cold plan at https://delcopa.gov/health/cold-information.

All municipalities are asking residents to park in a driveway where possible and may have adjusted their trash/recycling schedule due to the impending storm. If you lose power, you should report it immediately to PECO at peco.com/outages. You can also see PECO’s other winter storm preparation tips at peco.com/storm.

Stay safe and warm this weekend.

Another PA Farm Show in the books

My team and I were thrilled to attend the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show this month! This is always one of my favorite events, as I enjoy meeting Pennsylvania farmers and learning about the incredible impact agriculture has on our state. I’m already looking forward to next year’s show!

PA launches tool to help SNAP recipients meet new work requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a new online tool to help SNAP recipients discover volunteer opportunities in their communities while staying compliant with federal work and reporting requirements.

Under the new rules, certain SNAP participants are required to work, volunteer, or participate in education or training for at least 20 hours per week to maintain their benefits. PA Navigate, a statewide community information tool, now allows recipients to search for local volunteer opportunities, connect with organizations, and track their hours to stay eligible.

SNAP recipients can visit pa-navigate.org to find volunteer opportunities and learn how to report their hours. Questions can be directed to local County Assistance Offices or DHS’ Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930.

Apply now for property tax or rent rebates

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program helps older residents and neighbors stay in their homes while covering life’s essentials, and applications are now open. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. Rebates range from $380 to $1,000, and the deadline to apply is June 30.

Learn more about the program here. My staff are available to assist with applications, so don’t hesitate to contact my district office.

Grants available for school improvement projects

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is now accepting applications from school districts and career or technical schools for facility improvement projects. Eligible projects include roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, plumbing system repairs, window replacements, and accessibility improvements. The deadline to apply is March 13.

For more information, visit the CFA Website.