WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — State officials in Luzerne County announced $36 million in funding to help bolster local businesses through the Neighborhood Assistance Program.
"These NAP credits are going to support projects that bolster art programs, help prevent gun violence, improve people's homes, and develop affordable housing," said Secretary Rick Siger of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development.
The millions of dollars in new state funds were approved under Governor Josh Shapiro's 2024 state budget. They will be funneled into the neighborhood assistance program in communities across Pennsylvania, in cities like Wilkes-Barre.
The program provides tax credits to businesses that contribute to nonprofit organizations, and it already has a proven track record downtown.
"A year to date, seven new businesses have opened in storefronts in the block that we're standing today. In this block, there are 88 new apartments that didn't exist a decade ago, and downtown has a 1,000 more residents than it did in 2010. There's economic value in the creation of great places," said Diamond City Partnership Executive Director Larry Newman.
But the cutest faces in the crowd were the 4-year-old Pre-K students. The group represented the partnership between the neighborhood assistance program and the new Building Blocks Early Learning Center along South Main Street.
"On the bus lines, we're in the center of the city. We're what I like to call a beacon for people to come and bring their children to a center where they feel safe," said Building Blocks director Daniel Luce.
Money that goes much, much further than just a building.
"This is a place that's providing kids a safe and important place to learn, but it's also, we know that access to childcare is a key barrier to our economy. So it's solving a key problem, helping people get back in the workforce," said Secretary Siger.
"It helps families in Wilkes-Barre because it allows parents to enroll their children in this program, a safe program, and they're able to go about their lives so they can provide for their family," added Luce.
The state is opening up another round of business applications for this funding. More information will be listed on the DCED's NAP website.
