READING, Aug. 17 – State Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Berks, announced today that he will host the fifth annual Back-to-School Resource Fair this Wednesday. He is partnering with Reading Mayor Eddie Moran to provide information and free school supplies to students as they prepare to return to school. Guzman said the fair, now in its fifth year, has more than 55 community partners that have stepped up to support Reading students and families. The event will feature school supplies available on a first-come, first-served basis, free haircuts for children, refreshments, and information about state and local programs and services. “I am proud of all the work we have put into this fair. It has become the largest back-to-school event in Berks County, and that is truly rewarding to see. One of the important additions this year will be free vision screenings, along with glasses repairs and adjustments. This event gives families access to a wide range of resources and services all in one place, and we are eager to welcome them,” Guzman said. “This is a way to offer immediate assistance to families who may need extra support getting their children ready for the new school year. We want to make the process a little easier for parents. There will also be free parking provided by Shuman Development Group at the 6th & Cherry Street lot. “We are going above and beyond to make this an incredible experience. Attendance has grown so much Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Main Street Matters (MSM) Who May Apply: Units of local government, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofits, economic development organizations, housing corporations, community development corporations, business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities. Use: A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Funds: Individual grant awards vary depending on the type of grant. Application Deadline: August 31, 2026 More information: DCED Website Department of Transportation: Rail Freight Grant Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, or user of rail freight infrastructure Use: Capital maintenance of freight or intermodal rail infrastructure and capital construction of freight or intermodal rail infrastructure Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PennDOT Website Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Motorized Trails and Recreation Program (formerly known as the All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile Read more

READING, Aug. 4 – State Rep. Manny Guzman , D-Berks, today announced that a $251, 390 Green Light-Go grant was awarded to the City of Reading to support traffic signal modernization projects. The grant was awarded to: City of Reading - $251,390 to upgrade traffic signals at: Schuylkill Avenue & Buttonwood Street 9th Street & Walnut Street 3rd Street & Franklin Street “I’m pleased to announce that the City of Reading has been awarded $251,390 through Pennsylvania’s Green Light-Go Program to modernize traffic signals at Schuylkill Avenue & Buttonwood Street, 9th & Walnut streets, and 3rd & Franklin streets,” Guzman said. “As a member of the House Transportation Committee, I understand the importance of investing in projects that improve safety, reduce congestion, and strengthen our transportation infrastructure. These upgrades will help create safer and more efficient travel for residents, commuters, and visitors across Reading.” Read more

LANCASTER, Aug. 4 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, announced today that Green Light-Go grants totaling $945,186 were awarded to the city of Lancaster and the borough of Millersville to support traffic signal modernization. The city of Lancaster received $494,466 to modernize two signalized intersections in Lancaster—North Broad Street and East Chestnut Street, and North Broad Street and East Walnut Street. A separate award of $494,466 was provided for two additional signalized intersections in Lancaster, which are in state Rep. Nikki Rivera’s district. The borough of Millersville received $450,720 for traffic signal equipment upgrades across six intersections: Millersville Road / Manor Avenue / Millersville Pike Blue Rock Road / Manor Avenue / George Street / Shertzer Lane Millersville Road / Barbara Street / Oak Knoll Circle George Street & Frederick Street Manor Avenue / Herrs Market Driveway / Turkey Hill Driveway Manor Avenue & Leaman Avenue “These investments in transportation safety will create safer intersections, support better traffic flow and improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in our district,” Smith-Wade-El said. “This strategic use of state funding will help Lancaster and Millersville residents get around their communities more easily, whether it’s behind the wheel, on a bike or on foot.” The Greenlight-Go Program is a competitive state grant program designed Read more

LANCASTER, Aug. 4 – State Rep. Nikki Rivera, D-Lancaster, announced today that Lancaster received a Green Light-Go grant of $494,466 to modernize traffic signals at two key intersections to improve safety and increase traffic flow for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The funding will support upgrades to the traffic signal systems at North Duke Street and East Walnut Street and New Holland Avenue and Franklin Street to modernize aging infrastructure, increase signal reliability and accommodate increased traffic. “I’m thrilled that the City of Lancaster is receiving state funding to make these necessary investments in transportation safety,” Rivera said. “This money will make Lancaster an easier and safer place to navigate for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians while extending the traffic signals’ lifespan and supporting the city’s growing transportation needs.” The Greenlight-Go Program is a competitive state grant program designed to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals in Pennsylvania and is administered by the state Transportation Department. Applicants are required to provide a 20% match. Funding may be used for traffic signal retiming; study and removal of unwarranted traffic-control signals; monitoring of traffic signal corridors; innovative technologies; installation, upgrade or maintenance of traffic signal communication systems; upgrade or installation of detection systems and Read more