McNeill: over $2 million redistributed to the City of Bethlehem
Rep. Jeanne McNeill November 2, 2023 | 10:20 AM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 2 – State Rep. Jeanne McNeill today announced that $2,721,809.71 will be returned to the City of Bethlehem through the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone program, known as CRIZ.
“I am proud to see this money going back into the community,” said McNeill. “This money will look to make improvements and developments to this community, allowing for more economic opportunities and a downtown revival.”
The funding being returned is based off the period from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022. The CRIZ program, administered by the Department of Revenue, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Governor’s Budget Office, functions by capturing state and local taxes that are returned to a designated zone up to 130 acres for the purpose of improvement and development in the designated CRIZ.
The CRIZ program was established by Act 52 of 2013 and amended under Act 84 of 2016 to spur new growth in cities that have struggled to attract development, helping to revive downtowns and create jobs for the residents in the regions.
Overall, the CRIZ program has delivered a total of more than $70.2 million since its inception in 2013, spurring new growth in cities and reviving struggling areas while creating jobs.
The Bethlehem CRIZ consists of 130 acres of projects located throughout the city. Most properties are underutilized or vacant former commercial and industrial properties.