Boscola Announces Over $3 Million in State Investment for Community Revitalization Projects

Boscola Announces Over $3 Million in State Investment for Community Revitalization Projects

October 19, 2026

BETHLEHEM (October 19, 2026) - State Senator Lisa Boscola today announced that fourteen community revitalization projects in the 18^th Senatorial District have been approved for $3,143,700 in tax credit funding through the Commonwealth's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).

"Investment in these community revitalization projects through the Commonwealth's Neighborhood Assistance Program will have a positive impact on improving the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the Lehigh Valley," Senator Boscola stated. "Through this tax credit program, we are seeing an investment of just over $3 million dollars to fourteen important community development projects."

The fourteen projects approved are:

• River Crossing Young Men's Christian Association (CFP - $16,250) - Expand food access across the Lehigh Valley benefitting preschool children, senior citizens and high-need demographic areas.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA (CFP - $174,200) - Will distribute 15.5M pounds of nutritious food through our pantry network, helping 120,000+ food-insecure individuals monthly, including children.
• Serfass Lynden Development, LLC (EZP - $306,250) - To transform an underutilized Downtown Easton gateway site into a mixed-use project that activates commercial space, retains jobs, adds housing, and supports economic development.
• Triple Net Investments LX, LLC (EZP - $500,000) - Addressing South Side Bethlehem economic conditions by helping attract critical employment opportunities while bringing significant private investment into the community.
• Greater Easton Development Partnership (NAP - $16,250) - GEDP will activate a vacant downtown storefront as a shared retail incubator for 10-15 entrepreneurs, providing market access and business development support in a distressed Easton corridor.
• Greater Easton Development Partnership (NAP - $65,000) - GEDP will invest in public art planning and inclusive cultural programming to strengthen economic vitality, social cohesion, and quality of life in downtown Easton's distressed community.
• Lackawanna College (NAP - $162,500) - Expand and update Bethlehem Center to train 250+ students with skills in trades/tech, closing workforce gaps, boosting job placement, and supporting economic growth in the Lehigh Valley.
• ArtsQuest (NPP - $285,000) - ArtsQuest's Creative Factory powered by PPL will expand arts education, serve underrepresented communities, attract national artists, and provide economic growth and support for small businesses.
• Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (NPP - $152,000) - Year 5 continues creates a vibrant economic environment; improves neighborhoods; strengthens communities, and enhances regional cooperation among Bangor, Pen Argyl, Portland, and Wind Gap boroughs.
• Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (NPP - $308,750) - This project addresses three focus area issues in south Bethlehem - housing affordability and quality, communication and connectivity, and public and green spaces.
• Greater Community Development Corporation (NPP - $190,000) - Year 2 will help to resolve several problems in South Side Easton including a high poverty rate, rising housing costs, food insecurity, homelessness, and poor youth academic performance.
• Greater Easton Development Corporation (NPP - $190,000) - The West Ward Community Initiative addresses blight, litter, and disinvestment in Easton's West Ward through neighborhood beautification, engagement, small business support, youth programming, and economic opportunity.
• Greater Easton Development Corporation (NPP - $95,000) - Greater Easton Development Partnership will tackle downtown disconnection and inconsistent clean and safe service. Year 2 funds the Main Street Manager and Ambassador Team Lead to grow recruitment, programming, and services.
• New Bethany, Inc. (NPP - $427,500) - New Bethany's Paving the Way will respond to the complex and interconnected challenges facing South Bethlehem and Fountain Hill through a comprehensive, community-driven plan to House, Heal, and Help.
• United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (NPP - $142,500) - Increase economic mobility and housing stability for low-income residents by reducing employment barriers and connecting families to coordinated services in the Stefko-Pembroke neighborhood.
• Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley (SPP - $112,500) - Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley will provide support for at-risk and vulnerable populations in Census Tracts 105, 109, 110, 112, and 113, providing culturally responsive services that promote stability and self-sufficiency.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development administers the NAP program, whose goals 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 program has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), Special Program Priorities (SPP), the Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP), the Charitable Food Program (CFP), and the Enterprise Zone Program (EZP).

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