Pashinski applauds City of Wilkes-Barre’s Keystone Communities Main Street Designation

WILKES-BARRE, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, applauded today’s announcement from the Department of Community and Economic Development that downtown Wilkes-Barre has officially been designated as a Keystone Communities Main Street, allowing for funding that supports targeted investment and development to address community needs. The Diamond City Partnership will be the administering agency responsible for implementing the revitalization effort in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

“The Keystone Communities Main Street designation is another big step in the revitalization and growth of downtown Wilkes-Barre,” Pashinski said. “Thank you to DCED Secretary Dennis Davin and his department for prioritizing the need for more funding and targeted investments in downtown Wilkes-Barre. I look forward to continuing to advocate for funding and programming that builds on the incredible progress we’re making here in Wilkes-Barre to make our downtown an attractive place to live, work, and enjoy life.”

As a DCED-designated Keystone Communities Main Street, downtown Wilkes-Barre will be eligible for complimentary technical assistance and programmatic support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center over the next five years and will receive priority status for various funding applications submitted to DCED. It will also be eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone tax credits for private sector development within the designated Main Street Program area.

The Keystone Communities program is designed to encourage the creation of partnerships between the public and private sector that jointly support local initiatives such as the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities; social and economic diversity; and a strong and secure quality of life. The program allows communities to tailor assistance to meet the needs of specific revitalization efforts.

A Keystone Communities designation is a flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses, including planning activities, façade grant programs, accessible housing programs, and development grants, and designation applications are accepted at all times.