tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38655365560782921722024-03-19T00:32:18.323-04:00Lehigh Valley Main StreetsA blog dedicated to the revitalization of Main Streets across the Lehigh ValleyBorough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-54424181760284512682009-02-19T14:29:00.002-05:002009-02-19T14:32:48.461-05:00Moving over!Hi everyone,<br /><br />The LVMS blog is moving! One of the things we started noticing is that many of the stories we would post here (on urban revitalization, business trends, etc) also fit on the Chamber blog. Thus, in an effort to combine forces and readership, as well as give our readers more content, we are combining the Lehigh Valley Main Street blog with The Chamber's blog.<br /><br />The new URL is http://lehighvalleychamber.blogspot.com. You will still be able to find the same great content and more.<br /><br />See you over there!Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-59685805307445701292009-02-18T12:23:00.003-05:002009-02-18T12:31:25.265-05:00Comprehensive PlansWhat, exactly, is a comprehensive plan?<br /><br />This is a question that comes up quite a bit. I'm a big believer in the importance of planning. Without proper planning, a community will have absolutely no common vision or course of action. simple put, a municipal plan gives a community an idea of what they want to be and how they are going to get there. It is a long-range document that is meant to guide a community for many years. <br /><br />Plans are crafted over a long period of time, often a year or more. The most critical component of any comprehensive plan is that they have appropriate community feedback. Public outreach is critical; otherwise, a plan will not be reflective of a community's will, and thus bound for failure.<br /><br />These plans are expensive, depending on the size of the community and the scope of the plan, they can often run into six figures. Fortunately, an ample amount of state and local grant sources are available to help municipalities deal with the costs of these plans. Larger cities, like Allentown and Bethlehem, also have their own planning department that helps to create these plans. For example, Allentown's comp plan is <a href="http://www.allentownpa.gov/Government/DepartmentsBureaus/PlanningandZoning/CurrentPlanningInitiatives/tabid/276/Default.aspx">on the internet</a>.<br /><br />Smaller communities often band together to form a regional comprehensive plan. For example, Alburtis, Emmaus, Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Macungie and Upper Milford banded together in 2004 to form the <a href="http://macungie.pa.us/SW%20Leh%20comp%20plan.htm">Southwestern Lehigh Comprehensive Plan</a>. Hellertown, Lower Saucon and the Saucon Valley School Board have formed the <a href="http://www.sauconvalley.k12.pa.us/svPartnership.asp">Saucon Valley Partnership</a> and are looking to have their comprehensive plan approved in the next few months.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-54305223306399258622009-02-12T10:56:00.001-05:002009-02-12T11:39:00.426-05:00Mainstreet GrantsThe Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP), in conjunction with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Lehigh County and Northampton County, is pleased to announce the funding they have acquired over the past three years. As can be seen from the table, the BBRP has helped acquire over $692,000 for their various initiatives dealing with urban revitalization. The total cost of these various initiatives is expected to cost over $2 million dollars. This number is reflective of the strength of the various projects that the BBRP is working on in each community. It also reflects the high level of confidence that the various participating private and public agencies have placed in the BBRP.<br /><br /><br /><u>BBRP Wide</u>:<br />- Keep PA beautiful, think green grant- Five communities provided with 22 trash receptacals.<br />Total award: $10,000 (out of project cost $10,000)<br />- Keep PA Beautiful- Twelve Benches<br />Total award: $4,500 (out of project cost $4,500)<br /><br /><u>Alburtis</u>:<br />- Lehigh County Main Street Planning Grant- Streetscape Planning Grant for Alburtis Streetscape plan<br />Total award: $11,212 (out of project cost $16,212)<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Senator Pat Brown)- Implementation of Streetscape Plan for Alburtis<br />Total award: $10,000 (out of project cost $800,000)<br /><br /><u>Bangor</u>:<br />- PA DCED Downtown Reinvestment Grant- Downtown Sidewalks and Street Lighting<br />Total award: $488,000 (out of project cost $976,000)<br />- State Farm Good Neighbors Grant- Façade Program<br />Total award: $5,000 (out of project cost $18,500)<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Senator Lisa Boscola), Northampton County Streetscape Amenities Grant- Improvements of pocket park<br />Total award: $10,000, $5,000 respectively (out of project cost $15,000)<br />- Northampton County Economic Development Planning Fund, GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant- Professionally developed Vision & Action Plan<br />Total award: $8,506, $3,000 respectively (out of project cost $11,506)<br /><br /><u>Bath</u>:<br />-GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant, Northampton County Streetscape Amenities Grant- Funding of new gateway signage<br />Total award: $2,000, $5,000 respectively (out of project cost $10,000)<br />-Northampton County Economic Development Planning Grant- Professionally developed Vision & Action plan<br />Total award: $7,500 (out of possible $11,506)<br /><br /><u>Catasauqua</u>:<br />- Lehigh County Housing Authority, Lehigh County Main Street Amenities Grant, GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant- Streetscape & Borough Hall beautification<br />Total award: $4,500, $8,000, $1,000 respectively (out of possible $20,000)<br />- Lehigh County Main Street Planning Grant- Downtown Master Plan<br />Total award: $24,000 (out of project cost $32,000)<br /><br /><u>Coopersburg</u>:<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Representative Lisa Boscola)- Façade Program<br />Total award: $5,000 (out of project cost $13,500)<br />- GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant, Lehigh County Main Street Planning Grant, Lehigh County CDBG, PA DCED LUPTAP- Grant to fund Comprehensive Plan<br />Total award: $2,000 (downtown), $5,086.00, $7,914.00, $15,000 respectively (out of project cost $30,000)<br /><br /><u>Hellertown</u>:<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Senator Lisa Boscola)- Façade Program<br />Total award: $5,000 (out of project cost $13,500)<br />- Lutron Foundation- Streetscape Planning<br />Total award: $2,500 (out of project cost $20,000)<br />- GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant- Parking Study<br />Total award: $2,000 (out of project cost $4,000)<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Representative Bob Freeman)- Streetscape Amenities project<br />Total award: $5,000 (out of project cost $7,500)<br /><br /><u>Macungie</u>:<br />-Lehigh County Main Street Planning Grant- Streetscape Planning Grant for Macungie Streetscape plan<br />Total award: $24,000 (out of project cost $32,000)<br />- GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant- Historical lighting in downtown<br />Total award: $2,000 (out of project cost $17,000)<br />- PA DCED Community Revitalization Grant (Representative Doug Reichley), Lehigh County Main Street Planning Grant- Downtown Master Plan<br />Total award: $5,000, $7,500 respectively (out of project cost $30,000)<br />- Lehigh County Main Street Streetscape Amenities Fund- Historic lighting<br />Total award: $8,000 (out of project cost $16,000)<br /><br /><u>N. Catasauqua</u>:<br />Northampton County Streetscape Amenities Fund, GLVCC Foundation Special Opportunities Grant- Sidewalk and lighting project for park<br />Total award: $5,000, $1,000 respectively (out of project cost $20,000)<br /><br /><u>Wilson</u>:<br />Northampton County Economic Development Planning Grant- Professionally Developed Economic Revitalization Strategy<br />Total award : $19,000 (out of project cost $30,000)<br /><br />TOTAL:<br />$692,218 in funding for $2,272,724 of project costsBorough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-85871891524002088332009-02-11T14:45:00.002-05:002009-02-11T14:57:12.381-05:00Lehigh Valley Crime MapHi everyone,<br /><br />The Morning Call has a relatively new feature that I wanted to share. It is their <a href="http://projects.mcall.com/crime_map/">Lehigh Valley Crime Map</a>. The map lists where crimes were reported and also has a link to a Morning Call story on that crime, if applicable.<br /><br />This is one of the many ways that technology can be used to keep local residents better informed of the happenings in their local municipality. In the long-run, wouldn't it be great if local governments could utilize their intern websites to have more than just contact information? Things like forms, a calendar of events, information about criminal activity, garbage pick-up, ability to pay taxes online, etc. <br /><br />Governments in the 21st century have to stop limiting themselves to 20th century methods of government. A great example of this is <a href="http://www.macungie.pa.us">Macungie's</a> website. The website contains a large variety of information, including permits & zoning forms, a business directory, calendar of events and information on parks and recreation, among other things. It even has a link to their comprehensive plan!<br /><br />The internet has proven massively effective in increasing democracy by opening up government and making it more accessible to the masses. I would love to see more governments have website's like Macungie's. I am also very curious to see how governments can take advantage of social networking in the future.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-7081890530976354192009-02-09T11:01:00.001-05:002009-02-09T11:03:14.663-05:00Legislative AlertThis message comes from Geoff Brace with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, regarding the Governor's proposed budget and how it will affect the Main and Elm Street programs:<br /><br /><strong>Legislative Alert<br />Governor’s Proposed Budget<br />What it means for Main Street and Elm Street and What YOU can do today!</strong><br /><br />On February 4, 2009, Governor Rendell released his budget proposal for FY 2009-2010. There was a build up in anticipation over this budget after several cuts were made to the FY 2008-2009 budget in December of 2008. Amongst the cuts in the mid-year review of the 2008-2009 budget were freezes in New Communities’ spending and a total cut of approximately $2.3 million (13.29% cut). This dropped the line item for New Communities from $18 million to $15.4 million for the FY 2008-2009 budget.<br /><br />The FY 2009-2010 budget includes additional spending cuts, though not as drastic as had been feared. This budget projects $15 million in spending for FY 2009-2010, a cut of approximately $400,000 over the revised projections from FY 2008-2009. In total, from FY 2007-2008, this represents a total of $3 million in cuts to the New Communities budget, a total of 15% cut. It should be worth noting that several other community development line items, including the Community Revitalization Program, Urban Development Program, Community and Business Assistance Program, Community and Municipal Facilities Program, Local Government Resources and Development Program and Regional Development Initiative Program were all cut completely, representing a total elimination of $101 million. The Community Action Team, Community Conservation and Employment, Economic Advancement and Community and Regional Development budgets were also significantly reduced. In other words, Community Development, as a whole in this budget, has taken significant cuts in budgeted spending for 2009-2010. <br /><br />PDC is already making arrangements to provide budget testimony in attempts to either restore funding to the 2008-2009 budget projections or at a minimum ensure that the cuts to funding do not exceed the Governor’s proposal. While other programs throughout the budget were eliminated completely, PDC staff is comfortable in saying that the Governor continues to show his commitment to Pennsylvania’s Core Communities when he reduced rather than eliminated funding for Main Street and Elm Street. In today’s economic climate, simply said, this could have been worse. <br /><br /><strong>What Can You Do Today<br /></strong>The budget presented yesterday was Governor Rendell’s proposal. It is not law until approved by both chambers of the General Assembly. If the last several years are any indication, this will be a long process until approval. Expect both chambers to debate this vigorously. While the budget is supposed to be passed and signed into law by the end of June, expect this to drag out through the summer. This means you will have several opportunities to advocate to your legislators on this matter. Effective advocacy, however, starts early and is a constant relationship with your legislators. PDC has prepared the following action steps to get you started in your advocacy efforts TODAY:<br /><br />1. Make sure your 2008 quarterly reports are completed and submitted to PDC. PDC anticipates having to provide testimony on the impact of Main Street and Elm Street across the commonwealth. In order to do that, we are relying on YOUR reports. There are several communities that have outstanding reports that need to be submitted through the online reporting system ASAP. Not only do your reports tell the story of what is happening in your community, but they also help to create a statewide picture that tells of the true economic and community impact of Main Street and Elm Street. To help you tell this story, PDC has attached the State of the Downtown and State of the Neighborhood Summaries for 2008. <br /><br />2. Contact your state representative and state senator to make an appointment (see the link below to find your elected officials). Do this now! Do not delay this step. The purpose of that appointment is to educate your representative and senator about progress being made in your community. The most important part of advocacy is education and your initial visit should be to educate about your community revitalization efforts. Use the PDC assessment to provide data and your quarterly reports to paint a picture of change in your community. Provide narrative stories of business owners and home owners who received assistance and were able to make investments as a result of Main Street and Elm Street. Main Street and Elm Street certainly do make an impact on the Pennsylvania economy. As more communities update their reports, PDC will provide updated aggregates for both the State of the Downtown Report and State of the Elm Street Report. At the latest, expect this to be provided at the manager’s meetings in March. <br /><br />3. As you are finishing your appointment, your state legislator will likely ask what he or she can do to help you. In addition to any other specific needs you might have for your community, ask your state representative to preserve the budget for the New Communities Programs. Ask specifically that the funding to be preserved at the level of $17.7 million from FY 2008-2009. <br /><br />4. Email <a href="mailto:geoffbrace@padowntown.org">geoffbrace@padowntown.org</a> with the date of your appointment with your state representative and state senator. This will allow PDC to track which members need to be targeted most specifically. <br /><br />5. Send a thank you letter to your state legislator with a reminder of the need to preserve the<br />budget for the New Communities Programs. Offer both yourself and PDC as a resource to help your legislator make informed decisions on this matter. Provide your contact information and contact information for Bill Fontana (<a href="mailto:billfontana@padowntown.org">billfontana@padowntown.org</a>) or Geoff Brace (<a href="mailto:geoffbrace@padowntown.org">geoffbrace@padowntown.org</a>) and the Harrisburg office (717-233-4675).<br />To find your legislator<br />Visit http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ and type your zip code in the box found in the upper right hand corner of the page.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-65396954212299506362009-02-05T13:40:00.002-05:002009-02-05T13:44:48.776-05:00Governor's Proposed CutsThe Governor gave his budget address to the Pennsylvania legislature yesterday, and as expected, the news isn't good. In order to close a yawing $2.3 billion budget hole, the Governor has proposed a massive amount of cuts, totaling $400,000,000. For the whole list, <a href="http://www.wgal.com/download/2009/0205/18648122.pdf">click here.</a><br /><br />The plurality of the cuts, as expected, fell on the Department of Community & Economic Development. Quite a few programs were slashed. As far as I can tell, the New Communities Program (under which Main Street funding is housed) is safe, but many many other programs were not so lucky. Below is a list of what was cut. The number next to the program indicates the amount, in thousands. All of these programs have been totally eliminated.<br /><br />18 Cultural Exhibitions and Expositions $6,300<br />19 Base Realignment and Closure 272<br />20 Workforce Leadership Grants 3,010<br />21 Emergency Responders Resources and Training 5,500<br />22 Family Savings Accounts 987<br />23 Local Government Resources and Development 10,000<br />24 Tourism - Accredited Zoos 2,228<br />25 Community Revitalization 40,200<br />26 Urban Development 20,500<br />27 Community and Business Assistance 2,500<br />28 Economic Growth & Development Assistance 6,800<br />29 Community & Municipal Facilities Assistance 5,500<br />30 Market Development 100<br />31 Super Computer Center 900<br />32 Infrastructure Technical Assistance 3,926<br />33 Minority Business Development 3,000<br />34 Fay Penn 600<br />35 Tourist Product Development 1,974<br />36 Manufacturing and Business Assistance 1,000<br />37 PENNTAP 75<br />38 Agile Manufacturing 675<br />39 Powdered Metals 200<br />40 Regional Development Initiatives 13,484<br />41 Digital & Robotic Technology 2,000<br />42 Cultural Activities 3,832Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-10285340648952234422009-02-03T03:00:00.000-05:002009-02-03T03:00:01.040-05:00Recession hits big boxes, tooInteresting <a href="http://www.ilsr.org/columns/2009/011509-2.html">article that originally appeared</a> in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It deals with what some have called the "second wave" of the foreclosure/recession crisis that the U.S. is currently experiencing - the retail crash. The article deals with the fact that the U.S. has been building retail space at a rate that far exceeds consumer spending. The rest, even prior to the recession, was a massive amount of empty retail space, often concentrated in central cities. Rather than attempt to rehabilitate these cities, big-box retailers and developers often found it cheaper and easier to build new, shinier strip malls and big box stores. The model had always been profitable.<br /><br />Well, that is definitely about to change. This country was "overstorred" with retail space in 2003 - and now, with consumer spending hitting declining for the 6th month in a row, development slowing and available credit shrinking, big-box stores and strip malls are about to get hit. Hard. Check out the article to learn more.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-1931169014066815462009-02-02T11:48:00.000-05:002009-02-02T11:50:39.128-05:00Small business tips....Our friends at the <a href="http://www.padowntown.org/">Pennsylvania Downtown Center</a> have put out another version of their "Managers' Market Memo." This issue contains a variety of tips and suggestions for small businesses, and I thought it was worth putting up. See below for more:<br /><br /><br />During tough times, retailers and business owners hope that customers will long for the comfort of hometown shopping among people they know and trust. Customers like to feel important and valued. With this in mind, here are some things you can do to enhance that feeling and build sales during this trying economic period:<br />· Address customers by their names (when you know them). If you don't know their names, try something like "We haven't seen you in awhile, welcome back!" In short, let customers know you recognize them.<br />· Listen to your customers’ wants, ideas and criticisms.<br />· During staff meetings and focus groups, ask for new business building ideas and new services that can be offered.<br />· Remind your employees to focus on the positive. Customers don’t want to come in and hear doom and gloom or they may not return.<br />· Many customers may plan to scale back on their purchases, so offer more services to build on the perceived value.<br />· Learn customers’ preferences and respond to them. For example, ask "Do you still prefer .......?" in order to let the customer know that you remember them, and in turn help you fine tune your merchandise selection.<br />· Get to know your customers and potential customers as individuals. Learn something about their families, professions, interests, etc.<br />· Compliment and reassure customers on their purchases.<br />· Keep in touch with your customers via newsletters, e-mail, phone calls, events, and local paper advertisements. Now is the time to clean-up and build your contacts database. Remember, monthly e-mail newsletters don't cost a thing to distribute. Make such publications informative, and be sure to include your special events, added services, new merchandise, etc. Don't forget to include your complete contact information somewhere in the publication, including your website, complete phone number, and your business address with the city, state, and zip code.<br />· Get to know your local newspaper editor and help him/her work on a human interest story about you and your business. This is far better and cheaper than advertising.<br />· Take customers' pictures. For example, if you own a pet supply store, take photos of your customers in the store with their pets and post them on a bulletin board or on your website (with permission).Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-25366099808083944752009-01-22T15:18:00.000-05:002009-01-22T15:36:25.390-05:00Small businesses are struggling with...Of course, this is a difficult environment for small businesses, and the goal of the BBRP and numerous other Main and Elm Street programs across the state is to assist businesses to succeed and thrive. But, how exactly can we do that?<br /><br />It's a good question, and a difficult one to answer. That being said, in order to determine how we can help small businesses, we must first figure out what specifically what is causing them problems.<br /><br />Well, we are starting to try to answer that question. Thanks to some research conducted by the BBRP's new intern, Dave, as well as conversation with some of our small business owners, we are starting to get some answers. Here is what we know so far. <br /><br />A <a href="http://www.nfib.com/object/2752737.html">survey was conducted</a> in 2001 to answer this very question. The data is a little old, but I'd venture that many of these problems are still the same (if not exacerbated). The top ten problems are:<br />1) The Cost of Health Insurance<br />2) Federal taxes on business income<br />3) Locating qualified employees<br />4) Unreasonable government regulations<br />5) FICA (Social Security) taxes<br />6) State taxes on business income<br />7) Workers' Compensation Costs<br />8) Federal Paperwork<br />9) Cash Flow<br />10) Cost of natural gas, fuel and oil<br /><br />I would also guess that properly utilizing technology (such as the internet and social networking) has become a big issues lately as well.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-85551825316512380272009-01-21T14:48:00.000-05:002009-01-21T14:57:53.072-05:00Allentown Modernizes CodesThe City of Allentown is in the process of modernizing their zoning and code ordinances. I am a huge fan of what they have done.<br /><br />To summarize (and I'll do my best, because it is a pretty extensive document), the city is attempting to update zoning and codes because the ordinances were outdated and didn't reflect modern urban planning efforts. They had a series of community meetings to get public feedback and ensure that whatever changes they made were reflective of the community will. They also had a relatively extensive and diverse task force oversee the process. Here are some of the changes:<br /><ul><li>The creation of three new special overlay districts that allow for more customized and practical zoning, including regulations on setbacks, parking and design guidelines.</li><li>A series of use changes that have to deal with a variety of areas, including limiting uses within residential zones, encouragement of mixed use, requirements related to street trees, reduction of parking requirements in certain situations, etc.</li><li>Very importantly for Allentown, this ordinance further limits the conversion of dwelling unites into apartments in most residential zones.</li><li>Zoning map changes to be more reflective of community will.</li></ul>I do believe that every community should reexamine their zoning and codes on a relatively regular basis. Like parking requirements, this is an often forgotten area that is vitally important to the quality of life and business recruitment of any community.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-76397686894987022422009-01-16T14:03:00.000-05:002009-01-16T14:13:23.596-05:00It's raining money?Like everywhere else, Main Street is clearly hurting - it's something I am starting to notice in my communities and in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">downtowns</span> across the Valley - businesses are closing and companies are laying off workers.<br /><br />Obviously, the Government is attempting to stop the bleeding. They are doing this in a variety of ways, and President-Elect Obama is considering a massive spending bill. The House Democrats have also unveiled their own spending bill. The price: <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/15/news/economy/house_stimulus_bill/index.htm?postversion=2009011516">$825 billion</a>, with $550 billion in spending and aid to states. Specifics in spending include $50 billion in alternative energy spending, $90 billion in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">infrastructure</span> spending and $140 billion in school construction and modernization. The hope is that the bill will create or save 3-4 million jobs. <br /><br />This bill, if it passes, will have massive <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ramifications</span> on the continuing governance of the United States. Without making a value judgement, I think it is safe to say that this is a truly historical point for the U.S.<br /><br />Now, that being said, here is an interesting question: how will this affect Main Street and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">downtowns</span>. The infrastructure spending is desperately needed, especially in Pennsylvania, which has some of the oldest and most structurally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">deficient</span> bridges in America. The jobs, if created, would obviously help get money flowing again. Of course, the consequences of the long-term debt could be astounding. <br /><br />Clearly, time will tell how this affects Main Street. But it is something that all aspects of the United States government, especially urban communities, have to be aware of.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-79129942577328849512009-01-15T07:57:00.001-05:002009-01-15T07:59:48.758-05:00PA Promoting Energy EfficiencyI <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">received</span> this press release courtesy of <a href="http://www.senatorwonderling.com/">Senator Rob <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wonderling's</span></a> office. Pennsylvania is trying to increase energy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">efficiency</span> among small businesses, which is particularly critical, given that these businesses often lack the resources to become more energy efficient. Check out the press release below:<br /><br />Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program Now Open<br />Department of Environmental Protection acting Secretary John Hanger is proud to announce an opportunity for Pennsylvania’s small businesses to improve their energy efficiency and manage higher energy prices.<br />The new Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program provides a 25 percent match, up to $25,000, for equipment or processes that significantly improve energy efficiency. The program is the first available through the Alternative Energy Investment Fund, part of Governor Edward G. Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy.<br /><br />Grants will apply to energy efficiency improvements on systems such as lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration and process machinery, as well as building insulation and weatherization improvement projects.<br /><br />An eligible applicant must be an independent, for-profit business with 100 employees or fewer, located in Pennsylvania. The project must save at least 20 percent annually in energy-related expenses, with a minimum savings of $1,000 per year. Examples of eligible small businesses include manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural operations.<br /><br />The grant application and guidelines are available online at <a title="http://enews.state.pa.us/m/7c9Gd2RFC8SKZDvx67Xs1X2VuKwnq5LbgjY38vT4gpn9miOffw" href="http://enews.state.pa.us/m/7c9Gd2RFC8SKZDvx67Xs1X2VuKwnq5LbgjY38vT4gpn9miOffw">www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant</a>, or by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, or by e-mail at <a title="mailto:ra-sbgrants@state.pa.us" href="mailto:ra-sbgrants@state.pa.us">ra-sbgrants@state.pa.us</a>.<br /><br />Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2008. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of $3 million is available for this grant round.<br /><br />In addition to the Small Business Energy Efficiency Program, the state will unveil a number of new energy conservation programs and alternative energy investment programs in the next couple of months that will benefit the state’s power consumers at work and at home and protect the environment.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-71763153636845356742009-01-08T08:39:00.000-05:002009-01-08T08:45:35.550-05:00Ten things Main Street can do right nowI found this link in the E-Newsletter distributed by the Pensylvania Downtown Center and thought it was worth sharing. This story discusses <a href="http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/ten-things-to-do-now.html">ten things that revitalization groups can do</a>, right now, in order to assist Main Streets and Downtowns weather this economic storm.<br /><br />I also think that this is worth discussing because it brings up something that has become more and more prevelant in discussions that the BBRP has had lately, both at a staff and volunteer level: groups like ours have to be able to pivot and assist our businesses more now than ever before. There has, of course, never been a question that one of the most primary purposes of Main Street organizations is to assist local businesses and help the local economy grow. Of course, even before the recession, businesses were facing incredible challenges: rising expenses, increased technological innovation and competittion from big-box stores. Our current financial condition only serves to strain small businesses even more. Now, more than ever, revitalization organizations have to develop ways to help their small businesses.<br /><br />More on that to come from our end!Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-89713628907281084352009-01-06T15:00:00.000-05:002009-01-06T15:19:56.790-05:00The Importance of HistoryHi everyone,<br /><br />A story appeared in the Morning Call today on some of the <a href="http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b4_3historic.6734289jan06,0,5126804.story">historical buildings and historical structures</a> that are located in Easton's West Ward. A <a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf?/base/news-0/123121835850280.xml&coll=3">more detailed story</a> on the same topic appeared in the Express Times. Included in this area is one of Pennsylvania's first power plants.<br /><br />That got me thinking - why do we preserve? Why should we care?<br /><br />Frankly, the reasons are too numerous to get into in a short blog entry, so I'll try to keep it to bullet points.<br /><ul><li>Historical preservation increases property values.</li><li>Historically preserved buildings are often more energy/heat efficient than their modern counterparts.</li><li>Districts with historical components often become tourism locations.</li><li>Historically preserved properties provide a regionally distinctive flavor that differentiates one area of the country from the next.</li><li>It is often less expensive to preserve and rehabilitate already existing structures than to build new ones.</li><li>It is more environmentally sensitive to rehabilitate than to demolish and rebuild.<br /></li><li>Historical preservation is a value statement. It demonstrates that a community cares about its past, and if it cares about the past, then it almost certainly cares about the future.</li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Sources:<br /></span><ul><li>http://news.ufl.edu/2006/12/20/preservation/</li><li>http://www.preservationnation.org/</li><li>http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&mode=2&objID=1426<br /></li></ul>Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-33669035276086711552008-12-29T09:40:00.000-05:002008-12-29T09:53:18.892-05:00Light Rail expandsHi everyone,<br /><br />As I've <a href="http://lehighvalleymainstreets.blogspot.com/2008/10/why-we-need-rail-in-lehigh-valley.html">argued in the past</a>, I am a big advocate for light rail in the Lehigh Valley. Based on the data currently available, I think light rail is vital to the long-term sustainability of the region, to controlling our taxes, our rate of development and to revitalizing our urban cores.<br /><br />Well, it looks like light rail is expanding: <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/27/news/economy/phoenix_trains.reut/index.htm?postversion=2008122718">A light rail system just opened in Phoenix</a>, now the nation's fifth largest city. The system, which cost $1.4 billion, is twenty miles long and has been in the works since the 1980s. It also is a metropolitan system, as it crosses into neighboring cities. Phoenix also has an additional obstacle to contend with when it comes to light rail: in the summer, passengers must wait in an average of 106 degree weather. Phoenix had been the largest city in America without a public rail system, and other western cities have also opened a rail system recently.<br /><br />I suspect that this is initiative will continue to gain steam across the country. Yes, gas prices are down (to a five year low), but that decline is largely a result of a collapse in demand due to the global recession. When we come out of this recession, gas prices will likely climb again and drivers will, once again, be squeezed at the pump. My biggest arguement for light rail (and, indeed, for urban living) is simply that I believe we are rapidly reaching the point where our current system of transportation (almost total reliance on automobiles) will be untenable, unaffordable and unsustainable. We have to look at alternative forms of transportation now if we want to plan for the future.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-26235077110814166712008-12-23T14:11:00.000-05:002008-12-23T14:26:00.720-05:00What is a Community Benefit District?Hi everyone,<br /><br />The Express-Times featured a story on the possibility of a Community Benefit District coming to <a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122992233480680.xml&coll=3">Bethlehem</a> and <a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122992232080680.xml&coll=3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Easton</span></a>. Perfect timing, then, to explain what exactly a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CBD</span> is.<br /><br />A Community Benefit District (also known as a Business Improvement District, or BID) is basically a funding mechanism that allows for revitalization programs to support themselves. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CBD</span> is governed by a board (made up of local business and property owners, not the government) that would collect funding based on a fee that would be assessed to all properties (excluding non-profits) within the district. The board would then use the money to hire staff and manage programs. Of course, the funding could be enhanced by government, business and non-profit contributions. The fee is mandatory - after a certain percentage of property owners within the district agreed to started the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CBD</span>, all properties would have to pay the fee (the amount varies). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CBDs</span> have been used across Pennsylvania - they are a great way of revitalizing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">downtowns</span>, particularly after state-funding for a Main or Elm Street program has ended. Of course, since they involve assessing another fee. In the long-run, the benefits to the district (enhanced business, reduced crime, better physical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">appearance</span>, higher property values, etc) are supposed to outweigh the assessment of the fee itself. However, the assessment of the fee (often seen by property owners as another tax) can be highly controversial. The process of determining how to spread the costs and the amount of the fee is determined by the community.<br /><br />Really, at the end of the day, community engagement and input is the only way that any bid district will succeed. The community has to be committed to paying the fee, managing the board and determining the priorities and goals of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CBD</span> - otherwise, it is doomed to failure.<br /><br />Happy Holidays to all!<blockquote></blockquote>Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-91747574708827059982008-12-23T10:57:00.001-05:002008-12-23T10:59:00.752-05:00Alburtis Completes Calendar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiU3adywBHQc0cw68rlRtHGY_s4uv9i_vn-c-ajF6cpu6tJKh-aNRAsiC_EPSCAIpt56_RnS4Uo5385YCzaHWAH4UP5P12WFyaZQz1V2g79mGzrdrkXPtYajOfSS3eTEoIhSk7PF-TS0/s1600-h/BRP_Alburtis.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283015509985316642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiU3adywBHQc0cw68rlRtHGY_s4uv9i_vn-c-ajF6cpu6tJKh-aNRAsiC_EPSCAIpt56_RnS4Uo5385YCzaHWAH4UP5P12WFyaZQz1V2g79mGzrdrkXPtYajOfSS3eTEoIhSk7PF-TS0/s200/BRP_Alburtis.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gy3UtFtomfIbV518pQEtfMRce6xuGkJJ4iCBjew7uFJpNP7kSFq6n0fpppDFitgHvhJYr6u1N2L-DjWLRd2o0GksRo9V9bJplj0DuM75-pch-6jD-2TwD5gTs4XMJantWGSR4RaY-2c/s1600-h/BRP_Alburtis.JPG"></a><div><br />Hi everyone, </div><div> </div><div>I'm very happy to announce the completion of a project that we had been working on for months in Alburtis. Please see the information below for more!</div><div>---</div><div><strong>NEWS RELEASE<br /></strong></div><div><strong>Alburtis completes calendar<br /></strong><br /><br />Alburtis, PA (Dec 23) – Mike Schlossberg, Alburtis Business Revitalization Coordinator, announced today that the Alburtis Business Revitalization Program (ABRP) has completed a calendar that contains pictures of Alburtis. The calendar, which was developed by the ABRP and designed by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, is now for sale at Alburtis Borough Hall and First Star Bank of Alburtis. It can be purchased for $15.<br /><br />“This calendar serves two purposes,” said Schlossberg. “First, it allows us to raise money so that we can continue our work in reinvigorating Alburtis’ historical downtown. Second, the pictures in this calendar showcase some of the most beautiful locations in the Borough. Alburtis is an absolutely gorgeous community and we want to help advertise those strengths.<br /><br />For other questions on how to obtain a calendar, please contact Mike Schlossberg at 484-809-1796 or <a href="mailto:MikeS@lehighvalleychamber.org">MikeS@lehighvalleychamber.org</a>. <br /></div><div> </div>Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-48520004010270046462008-12-17T10:54:00.001-05:002008-12-17T10:57:51.082-05:00Well, at least its not just usAs the article I posted yesterday indicated, Main Streets are struggling in the current economic times. That being said, it isn't just us! Check out <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/news/economy/retail_wasteland/index.htm?postversion=2008121706">this article</a> that appeared on CNN's website.<br /><br />Malls are hurting too - in fact, vacancies increased 7% this year, the highest since 2001, and the future forecasts are no better.<br /><br />That being said, it seemed that this was bound to happen, and that the long-term effects could be good for our urban areas. Quoting directly from the article:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Our country has six times more retail space per capita than any other county," said Ellen Dunham-Jones, director of the architecture program at Georgia Institute of Technology.</span><p style="font-style: italic;">"We're just cannibalizing our existing stores by building more stores even when sales aren't increasing," she said. "We were long due for a retail correction and we're going through it now."</p>So, it seems that there is a large amount of available retail and commercial space available already. Gee, I wonder where that space is largely concentrated....Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-87270850620818178462008-12-16T12:59:00.000-05:002008-12-16T13:18:02.456-05:00How is Main Street doing?I came across <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-12-11-recession-main-street-phoenix_N.htm">this USA Today</a> story regarding Main Street and the recession. USA Today went to five different Main Streets to see how they were faring in the challenging economic times of the day. This first city was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pheonix</span>, and the prospects appeared daunting - development has stopped, credit has dried up, the housing market has burst and consumer spending is in decline. <br /><br />The recession will be felt on Main Street and in our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">downtowns</span> for reasons <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">similar</span> to why it is being felt nation-wide. Financing is harder to obtain for urban projects, and this obviously will make it tougher for redevelopment to take place - this is particularly painful for larger projects that need more funding. Consumer spending is declining and consumers are saving more to make up for dwindling revenue and a loss in their retirement accounts<br /><br />For more information, check out these articles:<br /><a title="http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=" href="http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812100438">http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008812100438</a><br /><a title="http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=" href="http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=9871">http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=9871</a><br /><a title="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081207/BUSINESS/812070374/1003/ARCHIVES" href="http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081207/BUSINESS/812070374/1003/ARCHIVES">http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20081207/BUSINESS/812070374/1003/ARCHIVES</a>Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-67539369755343094882008-12-11T11:40:00.001-05:002008-12-11T11:41:17.096-05:00Treevitalize updateHi everyone - good news about Treevitalize. Revoting yesterday, the Lehigh County Commissioners revoted on Treevitalize yesterday, and this time the program passed 7-2. Thank you to the Commissioners who voted in favor of this important project!Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-88598916139517600812008-12-10T11:38:00.000-05:002008-12-10T11:46:49.681-05:00Everybody loves Main Street!In the course of looking for some information about a project I am working on, I got a random idea. I typed "Main Street" into Google to see what I would come up with. As you might expect, I got a lot of results related to Main Street programs. That makes sense. What surprised me, and what I got a big laugh out of, was the amount of businesses that have "Main Street" in their name even if it has absolutely nothing directly to do with a traditional downtown.<br /><br />It makes sense, too, when you think about it. For example, how many times this year did you hear that a politician running for office wanted to make sure that government represented "Main Street, not Wall Street"? The image and symbolism of Main Street has a near sacred place in the American ethos. Main Street conjures up images of home, of the corner drug store, of a safe place and a simpler time.<br /><br />Such an explanation would certainly help explain why so many businesses have Main Street in their name! They are trying to tap into the American soul. For example, there is the Main Street Casino (http://www.mainstreetcasino.com). I don't think any of my downtowns have one of those. There is also Main Street Homes (http://www.mainstreethomes.com), which, judging by the front picture displayed, is probably located far far away from Main Street. How about http://www.mainstreet.com? That's got financial advice. Alright. Then there is http://www.mainstreetlighting.com/, which at least has lighting that is appropriate to Main Street. My favorite, though, is (http://www.certainteed.com/CertainTeed/Pro/Builder/Siding/Prodindex/CertainTeed/MainStreet.htm). They sell siding. That's just ironic. <br /><br />My point is that Main Street remains a popular and desired brand in America. This is one of the biggest strengths that our downtowns have - they represent a way of life that millions seek and desire. We have to learn to tap into that desire in order to get those people back.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-24759855779544399392008-12-08T15:30:00.000-05:002008-12-08T15:38:32.178-05:00How can we help?Hi everyone,<br /><br />Well, unless you are living underneath a rock, you know that the economy isn't doing so well at the moment and we appear to be entering a recession, the likes of which has not been seen since the Great Depression. Let me first just say that I don't believe that this will be an actual depression. A recession has varying definitions, but a good rule of thumb is to define a recession as the time from when business activity reaches it's peak to when business activity bottoms out. It usually lasts about a year. An alternative definition is when the GDP (gross domestic product) declines two quarters in a row. A depression, however, is best defined as a decline of the GDP by more than 10%. Most forecasts I have heard have not been that severe.<br /><br />That being said, there is no question that we are currently in a recession. With public funds limited, the pressure is on Main & Elm Street programs like the BBRP to produce economic results, and I think that's fair. When it comes to economic development, I believe that the expendature in public funding, in the long-run, should result in an enhancement of the economy in whatever area the funding is targetted. Accordingly, if public funds are being used for this program, we must be able to make an improvement on the economy. Given the current economic climate, this need becomes more important than ever.<br /><br />How, then, can we best improve the economy? This is a question that is being discussed in great detail by program coordinators and one which we must answer. Training, business enhancement programs, Facade Programs and promotional/marketing assistance are some of the things we are currently discussing, but there are absolutely more answers.<br /><br />What are your thoughts?Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-78838791704034571262008-12-05T14:42:00.001-05:002008-12-05T14:43:40.606-05:00More revitalization in AllentownCongrats and best of luck to the newly formed Allentown Neighborhood Development Alliance. Good to see that more <a href="http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5jennings.6696895dec05,0,609407.story">revitalization efforts are taking shape in Allentown</a>, especially in an area that is as important and historic to the city as this one.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-78281503520126658232008-12-04T10:46:00.000-05:002008-12-08T14:30:09.941-05:00Treevitalize Program in JeopardyWell, this isn't the happiest blog entry I've had to make.<br /><br />At their last meeting, Lehigh County Commissioners voted down the Treevitalize program. This involved voting no to accepting the funding for the program from the state, no to an intergovernmental agreement to run this program with Northampton County and no to the allocation of grant money via the Streetscape Amenities program. Even more unfortunately, the County also voted no to a $7,500 Master Plan grant that Macungie had applied for and been awarded. Commissioners voted 3-3 against accepting the funding for the program (Commissioners Jones, Eckhart and Leiner voted yes, Dougherty, Roman and Browning voted no and Hamm, McCarthy and Raber were absent). Commissioner Eckhart then voted no on the intergovernmental agreement and the allocation of the grant funding.<br /><br />The rationalle for declining this free state money, according to a statement made by Commissioner Browning on <a href="http://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/">Lehigh Valley Ramblings</a>, is that "The funding priorities of the State need to be readjusted." Commissioner Browning notes that the state has made severe reductions in human services funding and expects the County to pick up the costs. I think we can all sympathize with his concerns - there is no question that Counties are suffering with recent state funding cuts.<br /><br />That being said, I don't see how voting no to accepting funding to Quality of Life grant funding will force the state to adjust its funding stream. Will funding in other areas because Lehigh County voted down this grant? Of course not. Instead, it will just result in Lehigh and Northampton losing funding and other areas gaining it. Voting no to one source of funding will not increase it in others.<br /><br />The failure to accept this funding affects every municipality in Lehigh and Northampton counties that were planning on applying for this grant. In Alburtis and Coopersburg, public meetings have been held on where to put these trees and what types of trees should be placed. In many municipalities, expenditures have already been made under the assumption that the costs would be reimbursed by the County. Should these municipalities now be left out in the cold?<br /><br />Fortunately, since three Commissioners were absent, there will be a revote on this issue. The next Commissioner meeting will be December 10, 7:30pm at the Lehigh County Government Center (7 S. 17th Street in Allentown). If you are able, I encourage you to attend the meeting and let your thoughts be heard. I also encourage you to contact the <a href="http://lehighcounty.org/Commish/comm.cfm?doc=elect_comm1.htm">Commissioners office</a> at 610-782-3050 for the same reason.<br /><br />This program is very important to enhancing the quality of life throughout the Lehigh Valley. I hope you will join me in ensuring that this decision does hurt the efforts of the many revitalization programs that are in progress as we speak.Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865536556078292172.post-80546669288329195002008-12-02T10:30:00.001-05:002008-12-02T10:38:21.478-05:00Economic StatisticsHi everyone,<br /><br />I recently gave a presentation to the <a href="http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/DetailSingle.aspx?id=130&ekmensel=fb5d653b_16_32_130_7">Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce</a>. For the presentation, I gathered some information about the current economy. It's depressing, but everyone should know the shape of our economy. Here is where we are at right now:<br /><br /><ul><li>Consumer confidence is the lowest it has been since the measure first started in 1985. </li><li>The NYSE is at its lowest point in five years, while the S&P 500 is at it’s lowest in eleven years. </li><li>Consumer spending has decreased and the planned increase in consumer spending is at it’s lowest since 2002. This isn't the case for everyone though...Walmart grew about 10% in the 3rd quarter of 2008. </li><li>Home sales in the Northeast are down 10% from last year. In a rapidly growing area like the Lehigh Valley, this bound to hurt the local economy. While this trend won't damage cities as much (since they are already built-out), it is still bound to hurt to some extent, as urban economies depend, in part, on revenues generated from out-of-town shoppers and employees.</li><li>Local governments are feeling the strain, with at least eight local municipalities facing likely tax hikes (in one case as high as 62%). Pennsylvania may have to raise taxes next year as well. </li></ul>Borough Business Revitalization Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05898155770177200459noreply@blogger.com1