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ALLENTOWN, Sept. 10 – State Reps. Peter Schweyer, Mike Schlossberg and Josh Siegel, and state Sen. Nick Miller announced today $1.06 million in tax credits through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program has been awarded to several community projects.
Schweyer said the investments are as follows:
- $617,500 for Community Action Development Corporation of Allentown to support after-school programs, youth mentorship, community outreach and support for students in the Allentown School District.
- $306,000 for the DaVinci Science Center to continue introducing area children to STEAM projects to inspire them to pursue careers in STEAM fields.
- $142,000 for Ripple Community, Inc. to address low-income housing issues and expand housing options in Allentown’s Franklin Park neighborhood.
“These investments will go a long way to support local organizations, such as Ripple Community, Inc. with providing opportunities for folks to live with dignity in affordable homes. In addition, Davinci and CADCA will continue to nourish and inspire the minds of our children to pursue their dreams,” Schweyer said. “I am proud to support these efforts and want to thank community leaders for the work they do to provide a positive and lasting impact in our area for our friends, neighbors and families.”
Added Schlossberg, “Ripple is a fantastic community partner and I’m thrilled to see the NPP program will help the Franklin Park neighborhood with better housing options, and meaningful economic opportunity. When we invest in people and neighborhoods, our region is stronger for it.”
Added Siegel, “The investments made by the NPP in Lehigh Valley institutions are a vital part of helping our community thrive and putting resources into the programs that can make the biggest impact for our residents and the long-term prosperity of our communities.”
“I was proud to champion legislation last year that raised the cap on the NAP program, which is now part of this year’s budget,” Miller said. “Seeing this program thrive in our district will bring significant benefits to our communities, residents and local businesses. NAP plays a vital role in revitalizing neighborhoods, reducing blight and strengthening the bond between small businesses and the communities they serve.”
The investments to support these projects come from the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program. The goals of the program are to promote community participation and collaborations among nonprofits, businesses and residents while producing outcomes which assist a distressed area or the low-income population in a neighborhood.
The NAP has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP). More information is available on the NAP impact brochure.
| State Rep. Peter Schweyer D-Lehigh RepSchweyer.com State Rep. Josh Siegel |
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg D-Lehigh RepSchlossberg.com State Sen. Nick Miller |
Information provided to TVL by:
Thomas LeClair
Research Analyst
House Democratic Education Committee
