Breaking: Grant Beneficiaries Unveiled for Lehigh and Northampton by Local Authorities
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In a momentous gathering at Northeast Middle School’s auditorium, Members of Congress and community leaders across Bethlehem converged to unveil the awardees of the 2023 Community Recovery Fund grants. Spearheaded by City of Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, the announcement marks a transformative chapter in the city’s journey toward holistic community development.
Mayor Reynolds encapsulated the sentiment of the day, stating, “This is a pivotal leap forward for both City Hall and our community at large to pave new pathways and bring about change.” He added, “What sets Bethlehem apart is the collaborative spirit among our lawmakers and elected officials who are deeply in tune with the heart and soul of this initiative.”
The Community Recovery Fund, freshly minted this year, draws its financial backing from the federal American Rescue Plan. It serves a grander purpose— to extend much-needed support to organizations committed to helping communities bounce back from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D – PA.) elaborated on the fund’s expansive reach. “The Community Recovery Fund is not just a financial lifeline but a catalyst for comprehensive well-being. It covers a gamut of sectors— from child care and food security to economic resurgence and nonprofit empowerment— essentially lifting up those who are often sidelined when it comes to investment.”
In a boost to the educational sector, every school district in both Lehigh and Northampton counties stands to benefit from additional funding. “It’s a whopping $247 million earmarked exclusively for educational initiatives in these two counties,” Sen. Casey announced, underlining the grant’s substantial impact on schools.
What makes Sen. Casey especially proud of this legislative accomplishment is its commitment to the younger generation. “We’ve taken the child tax credit, a policy instrument since the late ’90s, and supercharged it. We’ve injected more funds and made it refundable, thereby magnifying its reach and effectiveness,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the pivotal role of local insight in determining funding priorities. “It’s clear that local residents have a more nuanced understanding of their unique needs, and this fund enables us to meet those needs head-on,” she concluded.
More than 20 nonprofit organizations and community projects in Bethlehem have been singled out as beneficiaries, promising an invigorated spirit of unity and progress that is bound to resonate throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley.
