Two Lackawanna County Communities Poised for Revitalization With State Investments in Pennsylvania

SCRANTON, Pa., June 19 PA-Scranton-parks
DCED Deputy Secretary Says Investments Will Benefit Scranton, Archbald Business Districts

SCRANTON, Pa., June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New state investments will help transform central business districts in Scranton and Archbald, Lackawanna County, help revitalize the South Scranton neighborhood, and turn a long-vacant lot into a beautiful civic and recreational "pocket park."

Department of Community and Economic Development Executive Deputy Secretary John Blake announced the investments today during two stops in northeast Pennsylvania, beginning with a $500,000 Main Street grant for major streetscape improvements in Archbald Borough's central business district.

"This investment is a testament to Archbald Borough officials, as well as federal, state and local partners who came together to support this project, which has a total project cost of nearly $1.8 million," Blake said.

Blake also announced a $50,000 Housing and Redevelopment Assistance grant to develop a vacant parcel of land into a small community park at the site of the former Archbald High School.

"Seemingly small changes like a new park or a new sidewalk and streetlights can have a significant effect on communities," Blake said. "An increase in community pride and the perception that 'good things are happening here' is essential for community revitalization and for the renaissance of core business districts in our small communities and neighborhoods throughout the state."

At an afternoon event in Scranton, Blake announced the city's new designation as a Main Street Community and said the city will receive $135,000 over three years toward the implementation of a Main Street program within its central business district. The new investment, awarded to Scranton Tomorrow, an economic-development organization, will be used to pay for a full-time Main Street manager who will coordinate and focus central business district revitalization efforts.

Blake also announced that Scranton has been approved for designation as an Elm Street community and a $50,000 grant to cover the salary and administrative costs of a new Elm Street manager.

The Scranton Elm Street program, awarded to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeast Pennsylvania, will benefit the South Side neighborhood of Scranton. The Elm Street designation, coupled with the last week's announcement of $3 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization funding from DCED to Scranton for housing assistance, will combine to transform South Scranton and restore this wonderful, historic neighborhood.
While the funding announcement was a positive development for Lackawanna County, Blake said future allocations to the Archbald and Scranton projects depend upon future state appropriations for these essential DCED programs

"The Main Street and Elm Street programs and other similar DCED programs have benefited hundreds of communities across the state," said Blake. "Recently, the Senate voted along party lines to pass a proposed state budget that would erase all funding for the programs. Eliminating these vital programs would negatively impact the revitalization efforts that have improved the quality of life in countless communities all over Pennsylvania, and would eliminate support for Main Street and Elm Street managers, causing many dedicated, community-minded workers to lose their jobs.

Main Street grants are used to enhance the business districts of Pennsylvania's core communities with new buildings, improvements to existing businesses, upgraded streetscapes, utilities, infrastructure and other rehabilitation projects. In many instances, communities first hire a full-time, professional coordinator to focus local stakeholders and property owners and leverage public and private resources for needed improvements.

The Elm Street program allows communities to integrate a Main Street or downtown revitalization program with a comprehensive neighborhood renewal strategy. Elm Street provides assistance and resources to residential and mixed-use areas in proximity to central business districts. This assistance further enhances downtown areas as it improves the viability of Pennsylvania's older neighborhoods.

For more information on the Department of Community and Economic Development's community revitalization programs, visit www.newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

CONTACT:  Jamie Fulginiti
(717) 783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development