Boscola Announces Almost $2 Million in State Investment for Neighborhood Assistance Projects

Boscola Announces Almost $2 Million in State Investment for Neighborhood Assistance Projects

December 15, 2025

BETHLEHEM (December 15, 2025) - State Senator Lisa Boscola today announced that eleven community revitalization projects in the 18^th Senatorial District have been approved for $1,995,750 in tax credit funding through the Commonwealth's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).

"This investment through the Neighborhood Assistance Program will have a positive impact on revitalizing communities and improving the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the Lehigh Valley and our Commonwealth," Senator Boscola stated. "Through this tax credit program, we are seeing an investment of just under $2 million dollars to eleven projects in Northampton County."

The eleven projects approved for the tax credits are:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA (CFP - $266,500) - Maintain fleet of vehicles ensuring reliable delivery of nutritious food to over 100,000 individuals each month;
• ArtsQuest (NPP - $285,000) - Construction of The Creative Factory to replace Banana Factory. It will serve 10,000 students annually and have a $46 million economic impact;
• Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (NPP - $308,750) - Southside Tomorrow NPP will provide legal training for at least 100 residents, renovate building facades and host cleanup and community building events;
• Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (NPP - $152,000) - Community and Economic Development programs focused on improving neighborhoods and the economy in Bangor, Pen Argyl, Portland and Wind Gap through small business support, community and beautification efforts and student scholarships;
• Greater Community Development Corporation (NPP - $190,000) - Community development in South Side Easton, including affordable housing, educational opportunities, operation of a shelter and food pantry;
• Greater Easton Development Corporation (NPP - $190,000) - The West Ward Community Initiative to support 11 small businesses and engage over 350 residents in various community development programs;
• Greater Easton Development Corporation (NPP - $95,000) - The Easton Main Street Initiative aims to strengthen Easton's economy by connecting the downtown, riverfront and Lafayette College;
• ArtsQuest (SPP - $31,500) - Engage 5,000 community members in inclusive arts programs;
• Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (SPP - $162,000) - Rehabilitation of two blighted row homes in the City's Western Gateway to provide four affordable rental units along with improving building façade and install a new mural in Pulaski Park;
• Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley (SPP - $108,000) - Project will provide 10,000 meals and pantry services to 3,200 people, while also enrolling 150 people in case management; and,
• New Bethany, Inc. (SPP - $207,000) - Project to prevent homelessness by providing housing support and financial assistance to 1,500 people. Programs will also help at least 40 families and 25 families to maintain stable housing.

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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