x
Breaking News
More () »

More Help For Businesses in Hazleton

HAZLETON — For two years, the Downtown Hazleton Alliance For Progress has been working on projects to improve the look of the city, and help bring more bu...

HAZLETON -- For two years, the Downtown Hazleton Alliance For Progress has been working on projects to improve the look of the city, and help bring more businesses downtown.

"We want to really be a center for multicultural business development here, within Northeastern Pennsylvania," said Krista Schneider with the Downtown Hazleton Alliance For Progress.

The efforts of Schneider and the alliance have paid off, as the state recently gave the city a five-year 'Main Street' designation. It means Hazleton will have a better chance of getting state grants and tax credits to help spruce-up Broad Street downtown.

"More than anything else it validates the fact that we have a plan, we are working towards it," Schneider added.

Over the last year, the alliance says about 40 new businesses have opened up in Hazleton. One of the biggest goals with the new designation is to entice even more businesses to the city while helping current businesses stay.

Maribel Chavez owns Expressions, a clothing boutique on Broad Street. She opened her store last month, after working with the alliance and seeing the progress that's already been made in the downtown.

"I still believe in Hazleton, I've been living in town for eight years. I want my kids to grow up here, and I know there are a lot of possibilities," said Chavez.

Now, with incentives from the 'Main Street' designation, the hope is more businesses will want to open their doors in Downtown Hazleton, and current ones will want to stay.

Before You Leave, Check This Out