Rep. Marla Brown has announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has approved a grant of $86,400 for New Castle. This funding, sourced from the department’s Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP), will support Phase 1 of New Castle’s plan by financing an economic development role. The position in question is the executive director for the Citywide Development Corporation (CDC), a key component in New Castle’s efforts to move out of Act 47 status and secure long-term sustainability.
Brown highlighted the difficulty towns face when overcoming financial distress, stating, “It’s all too easy for towns to find themselves in financial distress, but it’s far more difficult to claw out of trouble.” She emphasized the importance of community collaboration in revitalizing New Castle: “This grant is an important step toward New Castle’s revitalization, and it only happens when community officials and residents work together to make systematic changes. Everyone in New Castle should be incredibly proud of this progress.”
The grant aims to assist New Castle in meeting conditions required to exit Act 47, Pennsylvania’s program for financially distressed municipalities. To qualify for an exit, the city must eliminate operational deficits and achieve a budget surplus over three consecutive years. The newly funded economic development position is expected to play a pivotal role in implementing necessary changes to reach these objectives.
“This is more than just funding; it’s about building a sustainable future for New Castle,” Brown added.
