J
the
ournal-herald THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 • Volume 43 – No. 36 ©2024, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved
CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 23
SINGLE COPY– 75¢ (USPS 277440)
CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–144th YEAR, NO. 49
White Haven takes stage as one of ten PA communities in community revitalization initiative 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.
MEMBERS OF WHITE HAVEN’S BLUEPRINT TEAM hold the official banner on the steps of the PA Capitol in Harrisburg. From left are Frank Migneco, Linda Sensenbach Miller, John Zugarek, Julie Fallon, Chuck Stoffa and Linda Szoke. Contributed photos Ten Pennsylvania communities were officially welcomed as Blueprint Communities® on April 29 at the Capitol in Harrisburg, beginning a unique 18-month local revitalization program. White Haven was one of them, the smallest by far. 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
Chuck Stoffa with PA’s Lt. Governor Austin Davis. Davis provided encouragement to the teams. “As a former Blueprint Communities team
See BLUEPRINT, page 5