Sen. Nick Miller announced that $1,297,400 in tax credits through the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program to several community projects through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Legislation, sponsored by Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton, alongside Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, expanded the Neighborhood Assistance Program from $36 million to $72 million in the 2024-25 state budget.

“Our district will benefit tremendously from these tax credits, which will enhance the quality of life across our communities with expanding affordable housing, launching career pathways for our youth, and so much more,” Miller said. “NAP gives business a significant incentive to invest in local projects, helping offset costs while building strong partnerships with the nonprofit sector and encouraging them to take an active role in their community. These strategic investments drive meaningful change, providing the financial support that ensures lasting success for our neighborhoods.”

The investments are as follows:

Neighborhood Partnership Program

• $617,500 to Community Action Development Corporation of the Lehigh Valley: Supporting Center City youth with programs, a new youth center and outreach services for 200-plus young people.

• $142,500 to Ripple Community Inc.: Improving Allentown’s Franklin Park by acquiring a seven-unit building, providing housing for 40-plus people, preventing evictions and connecting 350-plus residents to resources.

Special Program Priorities

• $50,400 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley Inc.: Expanding their STEAM Club to help close educational and workforce skill gaps and combating intergenerational poverty by conducting a feasibility study for a new Workplace Readiness Teen Center hub in Allentown.

• $18,000 to Lehigh Valley Hospital Inc.: Engaging underrepresented Allentown students with health care pathways, mentorship and STEM training to promote diversity in the talent pipeline.

• $135,000 to Ripple Community Inc.: Expanding affordable housing with a seven-unit building on West Gordon Street, including $25,000 in renovations to keep it affordable for low-income families.

• $67,500 to The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science & Technology Inc.: Expanding Fab Labs with hands-on STEAM programs and launching a Photonics/Optics career pathway.

Charitable Food Program

• $266,500 to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA: Maintaining their fleet of eight vehicles, including covering vehicle operating costs like fuel, maintenance, and insurance for the delivery of nutritious food to over 100,000 individuals each month.

The tax credit program encourages business to invest in projects which improve disadvantaged areas.

The Neighborhood Assistance Program has five main components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program; Special Program Priorities; the Neighborhood Partnership Program; the Charitable Food Program; and the Enterprise Zone Program.

For more information about the Neighborhood Assistance Program, visit dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/.