Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon


PRESS RELEASE

For More Information:

Ginny Hand,
Mayor’s Office
610-655-6320

MAYOR TOM MCMAHON ANNOUNCES NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANTS IN THE CITY OF READING

READING, Pa (March 28, 2006) – Mayor Tom McMahon announced this evening at a Mayor’s Mega-Meeting of City neighborhood groups that a new program would be implemented within the City to provide funding to assist groups in enhancing the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

“Often neighborhoods are able to organize themselves around projects that may need a small amount of capital to kick start their very worthwhile project. This program allows them to do so with their volunteer efforts being capitalized by the local community”, McMahon stated.

Grants will follow an application process available on the City of Reading’s website and will be available in increments of $500.00 up to the maximum amount of $2500.00. Eligibility standards and requirements have been structured for both recipient neighborhood organizations and projects which will be made possible by these grants. Wayne Cockrell, Executive Director of Reading Beautification, Incorporated (RBI) commented that “these grants will allow neighborhood organizations to pursue some of their goals and dreams and make real changes in their community.”

City of Reading Managing Director Leon Churchill explained that this program also “encouraged local businesses to partner with their neighborhood organizations to better their surrounding areas.” Business partners are eligible for tax deductions from RBI for all contributions over $100.00 which will serve as matches for the neighborhood organizations. Additional information may be obtained from the City of Reading’s website at www.readingpa.gov