New Castle Gets $86K Grant for Economic Development Position

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has approved an $86,400 grant for the city. 

The grant, provided through the department’s Strategic Management Planning Program, will support Phase 1 of the city’s economic development efforts by funding the position of executive director for the Citywide Development Corporation.

“This is more than just funding – it’s about building a sustainable future for New Castle,” state Rep. Marla Brown, R-9th, said in a news release announcing the grant.

The role is “a crucial part of New Castle’s strategy to transition out of Act 47 status and achieve long-term sustainability,” the release states. Act 47 is Pennsylvania’s program for financially distressed municipalities. To qualify for an exit, the city must eliminate operational deficits and record a budget surplus for three consecutive years. The new economic development position will play a key role in driving the changes needed to meet those goals, the release states.

“It’s all too easy for towns to find themselves in financial distress, but it’s far more difficult to claw out of trouble,” Brown said. “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.”

Pictured at top: Downtown New Castle.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.