The Federal Role in and Local Rewards of Redevelopment and Revitalization in Cities like Easton

The City of Easton has seen remarkable economic growth over the past decade.  In the last year alone, at least thirty new businesses have opened downtown.  The City and organizations dedicated to its economic development have forged this success by maintaining and preserving its historic buildings, removing or redeveloping damaged structures, investing in a clean and safe downtown, and cultivating economies based on the arts, tourism, and food.

Not all development must be on a grand scale, but for a city to really grow and attract new residents and visitors, it must address its blighted structures, vacant lots, and brownfields.  Those are always big and expensive projects, but important ones in terms of image and atmosphere.  When people come to a city and see prominent blight, they tend to think the worst.

Business owners, residents, and city governments themselves, unfortunately cannot always leverage the monies needed to improve properties and basic infrastructure.  The good news is that the federal government does promote economic development by offering some funds for a range of projects like improvements to transportation infrastructure, public spaces, and facilities as well as the redevelopment of brownfields and troubled properties.  Washington needs to keep that critical assistance coming – and even increase it – because it is working in places like Easton.

With my strong support, the Redevelopment Authority of Easton recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through the Public Works program to make improvements to the Simon Silk Mill Complex, which has stood empty and neglected for far too long.  EDA’s Public Works program enables economically distressed areas to revitalize and upgrade buildings and, obviously, their supporting public works using federal dollars.  Ideally, these improvements will attract new industry, encourage business growth, and generate or retain family-sustaining jobs.  By putting in roads and meeting basic needs like water, sewer, and parking, the Easton Redevelopment Authority will prime the Simon Silk Mill Complex for creation of commercial and residential spaces.  The Silk Mill project will not only restore a historic building that highlights Easton’s industrial past, but also will rebuild and connect neighborhoods.  It will create a new space for arts-based commerce, restaurants, and residences and enhance the creative economy already thriving in Easton.

That’s an insightful growth strategy because Easton seems to have a knack for attracting and keeping creative, engaged people.  Over the years, a very welcome number of galleries, restaurants, and shops have opened downtown.  Easton’s charming, historic structures are enhanced by a walkable area with clean streets, trees, planters, welcoming signs, artist-designed bike racks, and, now, hanging lights along alleys.  People can take in a show at the State Theatre, listen to a free concert, or browse a gallery and then enjoy a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant.  Every city in Pennsylvania, big or small, wishes it could boast so much.

The Simon Silk Mill Complex will attract even more like businesses and residents.  The people who choose to live and work there will enjoy access to the nearby Karl Stirner Arts Trail.  They will benefit from easy access to Route 22.  People will be able to walk or bike there from the West Ward, College Hill, and downtown neighborhoods to browse a gallery or enjoy a meal or go to work.

Great redevelopment happens when a symphony of revenue streams, municipal entities, organizations, and federal agencies works towards revitalization.  I see my purpose in Washington as fighting to keep federal programs like the EDA’s Public Works strong – in terms of immediate funding levels and long-term status in the competitive and ever-strained federal budget.  My goal will be to expand federal seed monies for local growth whenever and wherever I possibly can.  I want cities with unlimited potential like Easton to have the opportunity to fully realize their vision and nurture the elements that make them wonderful places to live and work.