NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) announced multiple grant awards at the West Scranton branch of Fidelity Bank on Tuesday, February 21. This funding includes $850,000 total between Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and private partnerships.
Fidelity Bank and Gerrity’s Supermarkets have each committed to making an annual financial contribution over the next 6 years as part of DCED’s Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This funding will allow NeighborWorks to continue with West Scranton improvements. The contributed funding will be used for various improvements throughout the upcoming years. This year, it will be used for vacant lot cleanups and demolitions.
Joyce “Mom” Fasula, President of Gerrity’s the Fresh Grocer, expresses the personal importance for Gerrity’s investing in West Scranton by saying, “Five generations of my family have lived in West Scranton from the 1800’s to today. We are thrilled to be a part of the revitalization of our hometown community.”
Noelle Krempasky, Vice President and Director of Marketing for Fidelity Bank, shows Fidelity’s local commitment by expressing that, “Fidelity Bank is proud to support NeighborWorks in this capacity. We firmly believe in playing as large a role as we can in the sustainability of the communities we serve, and we’re proud to have this opportunity.”
NeighborWorks is also receiving two Keystone Communities grants from DCED. The Keystone Communities Accessible Housing Grant will be used for home repairs and modifications to help older homeowners in West Scranton safely age-in-place in the comfort of their own homes. The Keystone Communities Implementation Grant be used for small business support, community events, and signage in our Elm Street designated community of West Scranton.
Senator Marty Flynn explains, “The best way to support the well-being and future of our cities and communities is to invest resources at a local level. I’m proud to support these state grants and I look forward to the continued progress in West Side led by the outstanding individuals at NeighborWorks.”
