Weaknecht Announces Grants to Local Municipalities

March 18, 2026

BERN TOWNSHIP – Nearly $240,000 in state grant funding through the Local Share Account (LSA) program to assist several local initiatives is coming to the district, Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) announced.

“This grant funding will go along way in improving the lives of district residents through improved public safety and recreational opportunities,” Weaknecht said. “I am proud to have helped secure the funding for our area.”
The following grants were awarded:

• Volunteer Fire Company of Womelsdorf: $75,101 to purchase NFPA 1962-compliant equipment, such as ladders that can withstand higher temperatures; intake and discharge water valves with larger diameters, universal fittings and adapters; hoses with greater diameters; nozzles with improved flow patterns; and Spanner wrenches with bags.
• South Heidelberg Township Police Department: $24,769 to purchase three portable radios and two upgraded decking systems for two police vehicles.
• Shoemakersville Borough: $63,806 to upgrade the electrical infrastructure, including the replacement of approximately 1,050 feet of interior wiring, 25 outlets and outdoor wiring; and upgrading breaker panels at Shoemakersville Park.
• Bernville Community Fire Co.: $65,000 to purchase a 400-gallon skid unit, which includes a diesel pump with hoses, for its brush truck.
• Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association: $9,635 to purchase battery-operated hand tools, including saws, hammers, drills, blowers, borescopes, scene lights and batteries with chargers.

The projects were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development. The grants are supported by revenue collected as part of Pennsylvania’s Gaming Act, not by taxpayer dollars.

Representative Eric Weaknecht
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
www.repweaknecht.com