HAZLETON -- The city of Hazleton was just awarded a million dollars of state money to give new life to some old buildings and revitalize its downtown.
"The city is moving in the right direction. We have a lot of good people focused on rejuvenating and revitalizing the whole city," said Mayor Jeff Cusat.
The recently awarded state grant puts the city a step closer to that revitalized downtown.
The money will be used to complete two current downtown projects and start a new effort to renovate three other buildings along Broad Street.
Krista Schneider with the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress helped apply for the grant two years ago. It will now pay for the finishing touches to the new city's park project.
The money will also continue renovations on a building to make it an arts center. It'll pay for renovations at the HNB Bank building and the Remember When building to get it up to code so that a new business can occupy the space. The grant money will also be used to renovate another building to hopefully turn it into a business incubator.
"With these potential businesses coming in, that brings jobs. That's the most important thing. That is what this grant is all about, redevelopment capital assistance program. It's about economic development and job growth," said Schneider.
Renovations are expected to begin on some of these buildings as early as the beginning of the new year.