State Official Says Pennsylvania Building on Initial Successes of Impact Bradford Project

Release Date: Sep 26, 2008  |  Author: Janel Miller

BRADFORD – Three years after “Impact Bradford” launched with the support of Governor Edward G. Rendell and the commonwealth, a top Department of Community and Economic Development official celebrated the most recent evidence of progress and community revitalization yesterday and said the commonwealth was committed to building on that track record.

Jackie Parker, director of DCED’s Community Action Team, was on hand as the city held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for two projects made possible by Impact Bradford—the conversion of Old City Hall into six professional offices and 13 new homes on Onofrio Street.

 Parker also announced additional state investments for the initiative that will improve streetscapes, build new curbs and sidewalks, and demolish a dilapidated commercial building.

“The ‘Impact Bradford’ name says it all,” said Parker.  “Just as in countless other communities across the state, we’re investing our resources and building partnerships among state and local governments and community leaders to revitalize our communities and create new opportunities and a better quality of life for our people. And with this latest commitment on the part of the commonwealth, we’re going to build on our accomplishments thus far and make Bradford even stronger.”

 Parker said the state would invest $250,000 in new community revitalization funds to support additional streetscape improvements, install new lighting, plant trees, improve the facades of existing buildings, and demolish a large, unused and dilapidated commercial building that was formerly a creamery.

Parker’s announcement today brings overall state support for Impact Bradford to more than $10 million.  First announced in 2005, Impact Bradford was among the first projects of Governor Rendell’s Community Action Team--a division of the Department of Community and Economic Development assigned to develop investment packages for significant development projects in core communities.

Impact Bradford funding has helped renovate Old City Hall; build 13 new homes; create new parking facilities; replace sidewalks, curbs and crosswalks; install streetlights, and plant trees and shrubbery along Boylston and Kennedy Streets.    

For more information on DCED’s programs, call 1-866-466-3972 or visit www.newpa.com

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