State Agency OKs Millions More In Loans For Projects In Downtown Reading

English: Downtown Reading, Pennsylvania; with Berks County courthouse on left; July 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A state agency has approved an extra $5 million in low-cost loans for new projects in downtown Reading, as well as an extra $1 million for the planned Doubletree Hotel on Penn Street.

The loans, sought months ago and already part of the hotel’s financing package, were formally approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Both packages will go through the Greater Berks Development Fund.

The $5 million will be available for as-yet-undetermined downtown projects, said Edward J. Swoyer, Greater Berks executive director.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=511616

West Reading Program ‘Got It Right,’ State Official Says

Editor’s note:  We heartily agree! West Reading is a happening town!  Maybe the leadership from Pottstown should rent a bus and take a field trip to see what revitalization actually looks like!  It sure as heck isn’t found on High Street!

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A state official praised West Reading on Wednesday for being ahead of the curve in its efforts to revitalize the community.

“For a borough of 4,000 people, they’re doing an awful lot of good things,” said Secretary C. Alan Walker of the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

During a tour of West Reading led by Elm Street Program Manager Dean Rohrbach, Walker said borough officials have a good vision.

“They know what they want to do and they’re carrying it out,” he said, referring to streetscape and building-facade improvements throughout West Reading.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=423186