HARRISBURG, Pa. — Allentown and Easton and neighborhoods were among 10 Pennsylvania communities welcomed Monday into the Blueprint Communities program, a revitalization effort aimed at improving areas through expert advice and planning.
A release from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, which administers the program, said 150 people including public officials, representatives of the communities and financial institution partners came together to celebrate the induction into the 18-month strategy at the state capitol.
The initiative, created by FHLBank Pittsburgh and administered by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, offers training and resources to help local leaders create thriving and sustainable communities.
Community teams help the effort by developing strategies for revitalization that improve quality of life for residents and focus on building community assets, engaging residents, improving local housing and attracting new businesses and jobs.
Easton and Allentown
Local leaders have assembled their own teams to engage in the 18-month training, planning and implementation process facilitated by the PDC.
Easton’s team includes representatives from FHLBank’s member institution, Fidelity Bank; Easton city government; and organizational leaders and volunteers from Shiloh Church’s Greater Community Development Corporation, Easton’s Redevelopment Authority, Easton’s Housing Authority, the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, the Greater Easton Development Partnership, and the South Side Civic Association.
The city’s South Side neighborhood will get technical assistance and experience aimed at aiding in expanding the business corridor, revitalizing and redeveloping public spaces, and capitalizing on current capacity-building efforts, particularly in the areas of development and affordable housing.
“The cohort assembled is excited to undertake this opportunity, and residents are ready to give the time and effort, and contribute their voices, toward enhancing the neighborhood,” a release from Easton’s city government said.
In Allentown, the city’s team will include representatives from FHLBank’s member institution; Allentown’s Department of Community and Economic Development; the Allentown Housing Authority; and Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley.
Allentown is set to get assistance with addressing housing needs, barriers to employment, business creation and retention, infrastructure improvements and more.
'Catalyst to move forward'
Teams involved in the program will craft a strategy for comprehensive revitalization focused on enhancing the quality of life for residents by building up community assets, engaging residents, improving local housing and attracting new businesses and jobs.
“Pennsylvania Downtown Center is excited to lead the Blueprint Communities teams through their journey of community revitalization in the next few years.” PDC Executive Director Julie Fitzpatrick said.
“For so many of these towns and cities, the timing of this initiative is ideal, and will be a catalyst to move their community forward.
"Long-term transformational change takes committed local leaders like these with a desire to make lasting decisions that impact the community for generations into the future.”
The Blueprint Communities initiative supports communities in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Viriginia to “establish a clear vision and holistic community plan, grow local leaders and enhance collaboration, and attract public and private investments to achieve the community’s vision and goals.”
'What we can achieve together'
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said he was “extremely grateful” to have the South Side — where he lives — included in the program, and thanked the PDC and FHLBank for welcoming them into the 10-year designation.
“We now have the ability to develop and explore a true ‘Elm Street’ revitalization," Panto said.
"And like with the previous West Ward Choice Neighborhoods process, we have an opportunity to capitalize on the passion of the South Side residents to build community momentum around such an initiative.”
“Our concerted efforts are aimed at transforming this vibrant community for the better, ensuring that its growth and revitalization serve as a beacon of progress and inclusivity for the entire city.Phillip Davis, senior pastor at Greater Shiloh Church and chief executive officer of Greater Community Development Corporation
Past participants in the program have witnessed success establishing community centers, rails-to-trails projects, affordable housing, school redevelopment projects, downtown beautification, community gardens, collaborations between local businesses, and other community-driven initiatives, officials said.
Since the program’s inception in 2005, 28 Pennsylvania communities have participated. Participating communities have leveraged the Blueprint Communities efforts into millions of public and private investments for their communities, officials said.
"In embarking on this pivotal initiative, we are not merely investing in the infrastructure of the South Side neighborhood; we are nurturing the very soul of Easton,” said Phillip Davis, senior pastor at Greater Shiloh Church and chief executive officer of Greater Community Development Corporation.
“Our concerted efforts are aimed at transforming this vibrant community for the better, ensuring that its growth and revitalization serve as a beacon of progress and inclusivity for the entire city.
"As we move forward, we do so with a shared vision of creating a stronger, more connected South Side that stands as a testament to what we can achieve together."
Welcoming ceremony in Harrisburg
The 10 selected communities — the others are Berwick, Carbondale, Harrisburg (Allison Hill), Panther Valley Communities (Coaldale, Lansford, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill), Philadelphia (Juniata Neighborhood), Reading (9th Street Corridor), Sunbury (Downtown), and White Haven — were chosen based on community need, strong local leadership, existing capacity, and readiness to participate in the initiative.
“With this approval, I feel this will lift up our community and show that we can all benefit from the plans and ideas that are being birthed — standing together we can achieve."South Side Easton resident and South Side Civic Association representative Michelle Lockhart
Sharing his experience as a member of the McKeesport Blueprint Team in the program’s 2005 iteration, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis fielded questions from the 2024 cohort concerning the lessons he learned and how to properly leverage state resources.
“As a former Blueprint Communities team member, I gained valuable experience and insights — all of which help inform my work now as Lieutenant Governor,” Davis said.
“Both Governor Shapiro and I have worked and served in local government, and we know that investing in our communities and revitalizing our neighborhoods is a smart economic development strategy.
"We look forward to partnering with each community along the way.”
“We are thrilled to welcome these ten communities into the Blueprint Communities initiative,” FHLBank President Winthrop Watson said at the event.
“Our goal is to help equip them with the tools necessary to enhance their leadership skills and the development capacity to achieve their long-term community vision.”
South Side Easton resident and South Side Civic Association representative Michelle Lockhart said she was pleased to have her neighborhood involved in the program, and looked forward to celebrating future success stories with the community as a whole.
“With this approval, I feel this will lift up our community and show that we can all benefit from the plans and ideas that are being birthed — standing together we can achieve,” Lockhart said.
