Ten Pennsylvania communities were officially welcomed as
Blueprint Communities® today, beginning a unique 18-month local
revitalization program. The ceremony was attended by 150 people
including public officials, and representatives of the ten
communities and financial institution partners.
Blueprint Communities, a program of the Federal Home Loan Bank
of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), is a place-based revitalization
initiative. This year, the program is being administered by
Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) in the Commonwealth. The
initiative creates momentum for revitalizing communities and
neighborhoods by building strong local leadership, developing sound
regional planning skills, and encouraging coordinated investments
in targeted communities by public and private funders.
Community teams will create a strategy for comprehensive
revitalization that improves the quality of life for residents and
focuses on building community assets, engaging residents, improving
local housing and attracting new businesses and jobs.
The ten selected communities – Allentown, Berwick, Carbondale,
Easton (South Side), 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.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a 2005 Blueprint Communities alumnus, led
the busy day with a fireside chat. He shared his experience as a
member of the McKeesport Blueprint Team and the opportunity local
leaders on the Blueprint teams have to enhance their communities.
During this morning session, the 2024 cohort asked Davis a range of
questions including lessons learned from the program and how to
leverage state resources.
Davis provided encouragement to the teams, “As a former
Blueprint Communities team member, I gained valuable experience and
insights — all of which help inform my work now as Lieutenant
Governor. 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.”
The afternoon ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda was a celebration
of the newly selected Blueprint Communities, and was attended by
government officials, local dignitaries and community development
stakeholders. Speakers included:
- Luke Bernstein, President and CEO, The Pennsylvania Chamber of
Business and Industry (PA Chamber);
- Rick Siger, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development;
- Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, PDC; and
- FHLBank leaders including Winthrop Watson, President and Chief
Executive Officer, John Bendel, Senior Director of Community
Investment, and Fred Bañuelos, Community Investment Business
Development Manager.
“We are thrilled to welcome these ten communities into the
Blueprint Communities initiative,” said Watson. “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.”
“On behalf of employers statewide, we are thrilled to help
welcome these ten communities into the Federal Home Loan Bank of
Pittsburgh’s Blueprint Communities initiative,” said Bernstein.
“Collaboration is absolutely essential in driving sustainable
economic growth and nurturing strong, resilient communities across
our Commonwealth. This is a critical initiative for Pennsylvania,
and the PA Chamber is proud to help kick off this important
community revitalization effort.”
"When our communities grow and thrive, Pennsylvania thrives, and
the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh's Blueprint Communities
initiative is a key partner in the work the Commonwealth is doing
to make that happen," said Secretary Rick Siger, Department of
Community and Economic Development. "The Shapiro-Davis
Administration is excited for the ten communities which will
benefit from this initiative, and we look forward to helping them
succeed as they apply the knowledge and strategies they've gained
to advance economic opportunity and quality of life for their
residents."
Community teams are comprised of local government and
organizational leaders, volunteers and representatives from FHLBank
member institutions, including Community First Fund, Customers
Bank, Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley, ESSA Bank and Trust,
Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, First Keystone Community Bank,
Fulton Bank N.A, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Peoples Security
Bank and Trust, and S&T Bank.
“The Blueprint Communities teams are representative of
passionate and committed individuals who are well-positioned to
make lasting effects in the towns and cities they serve,” said
Fitzpatrick of PDC. “It is our intent to engage these communities
with the necessary tools and support to create meaningful
transformational impacts. We are grateful to be a part of their
journey and are looking forward to the future success of these
Pennsylvania downtowns and neighborhoods.”
The Blueprint Communities initiative has supported the
development of local leadership, collaboration across sectors and
holistic planning in 28 communities in Pennsylvania, and 64
communities across FHLBank’s three-state district of Delaware,
Pennsylvania, and West Virginia since 2005.
About FHLBank Pittsburgh
FHLBank Pittsburgh provides reliable funding and liquidity to
its member financial institutions, which include commercial and
savings banks, community development financial institutions, credit
unions and insurance companies in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West
Virginia. FHLBank products and resources help support community
lending, housing and economic development. As one of 11 Federal
Home Loan Banks established by Congress, FHLBank has been an
integral and reliable part of the financial system since 1932.
Learn more by visiting www.fhlb-pgh.com.
About Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC)
PDC is the only statewide nonprofit dedicated solely to the
revitalization of the commonwealth’s core communities. As the state
partner with the PA Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) for the Keystone Communities Main Street and Elm
Street programs, and as the state Coordinator for Main Street
America, PDC accomplishes its mission by engaging local community
leaders and volunteers to advance the sense of place, quality of
life and economic vitality of their downtowns, neighborhood
business districts and nearby residential areas.
www.padowntown.org
“Blueprint Communities” is a registered service mark of the
Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240429371413/en/
Eric M. Slomer, FHLBank Pittsburgh, 412-288-7694,
eric.slomer@fhlb-pgh.com