PA DCED Announces Its Support of Cooperative Regional Revitalization Effort in Bucks County

YARDLEY, Pa., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Under the direction of Governor Edward G. Rendell, the Department of Community and Economic Development affirmed Pennsylvania’s commitment to community partnerships today with a $50,000 grant that will jump-start new regional economic development, community revitalization, and conservation efforts in eastern Bucks County.

Landmark Towns of Bucks County and the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor will use the Main Street grant funds to hire a full-time coordinator.

“No matter where it takes place, we find that one of the keys to unlocking a region’s full potential is communities and groups working together,” Department of Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Ken Klothen said at today’s press conference in Yardley. “The dedicated folks of Bristol, Yardley, Morrisville, and New Hope, and their partners in this project, have exciting plans to: make their towns more attractive and accessible; increase recreational opportunities; and promote tourist destinations and products unique to the area.

“The investment will help make Bucks County a place people are delighted to call home; proud to say they work here; and eager to come visit.”

Main Street grants are used to help enhance the business districts of Pennsylvania’s core communities with new buildings, improvements to existing businesses, upgraded streetscapes and other rehabilitation projects. In many instances, the first step is using the funds to hire a full-time professional coordinator.

Under the direction of Governor Rendell, more than $23 million has been allocated to more than 230 Main Street projects in virtually every part of the state.

The $50,000 allocated to the Landmark Towns of Bucks County and Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is just part of the more than $341 million allocated to Bucks County in the five years since Governor Rendell first took office.

“Every time we invest in a project, we build relationships that enhance our future,” Klothen said, noting that 14,600 more people are working today in Bucks County than there were in January 2003. “Today’s announcement further shows our commitment to Bucks County and communities across the commonwealth.”

The Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is a joint effort of private groups and interested citizens, county and municipal governments, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government to conserve cultural and natural resources in the five-county region of Pennsylvania that traverses the historic Delaware and Lehigh Canals. Since the Delaware and Lehigh’s designation by Congress in 1988, it has been the group’s mission to restore historic places, conserve green space for public use and preserve and interpret our heritage to enhance life for generations to come. To learn more about the group, visit http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/.

The Landmark Towns project is a regional revitalization initiative of Bucks County boroughs along the Delaware Canal — New Hope, Yardley, Morrisville and Bristol — that have traditional downtown business districts. The project is designed to help these small towns breathe economic life into their business districts, while preserving and enhancing the industrial and cultural heritage they share. The boroughs have exhibited the will and interest to improve their quality of life, preserve historic resources, and enhance economic conditions. For more information, visit http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/communityDetail.asp?id=3.

To learn more about DCED programs geared towards revitalizing communities, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-466-3972.

   CONTACT:   Janel Miller   (717) 783-1132  

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

CONTACT: Janel Miller of the Pennsylvania Department of Community &Economic Development, +1-717-783-1132

Web Site: http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/http://www.newpa.com/