The groundwork has been laid in Tamaqua.

From this point forward, it's all about taking the community to the next level.That was the message conveyed to members of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast mixer held recently at the Tamaqua Salvation Army.State Sen. David Argall was among those to attending, and he discussed the theme of a parallel universe, noting that the borough was in rough shape as recently as a quarter of a century ago."I think if you walk down Broad Street, I think to a great degree, we have recovered," Argall said.That, Argall said, is due in large part to the formation of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership."If you think of what's been done in the last 24 years, it's so different from that decaying town 24 years ago," he said. "I'm very proud of what I've seen happening in this community."Mary Linkevich, Director of Community Development for the Tamaqua Borough, also attended.Linkevich shared facts about the Tamaqua City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, and said Tamaqua is one of only three City Revitalization and Improvement Zones in the state. Bethlehem and Lancaster are the others."We have the community infrastructure in place, and the CRIZ is going to take Tamaqua to the next level," Linkevich said. "The one piece we're missing is to bring the next big (developer) anchor into town."Linkevich said the Tamaqua CRIZ includes 297 parcels on more than 130 acres.She said it consists of the majority of the general commercial and highway commercial zones in Tamaqua.It also includes a mix of productive business and blighted properties, Linkevich said.She said the 2015 state revenue paid to the Tamaqua CRIZ Authority in October 2016 was $189,900, and with local tax revenue, the total came in at just over $200,000.Linkevich said properties were strategically selected to advance Tamaqua's revitalization plans.She said those include the Main Street Plan, Elm Street Plan - South Ward Neighborhood Plan, Community Safety Initiative Tamaqua Safety Initiative Corridor Project Action Plan, Upper Story Revitalization Plan, Tamaqua Blueprint LISC Sustainable Community Plan, and Regional Comprehensive Plan.Linkevich said that benefits of the CRIZ program are that it offers a solid incentive to attract a developer; creates new commerce, increased tourism, and new companies; new jobs; a range of housing options; a distinctive, attractive and vibrant downtown and hubs; smart growth that encourages the preservation of historic buildings; expected property value increase; and more business for more foot traffic for more people working in the CRIZ."A CRIZ, to me, is this gold mine," she said. "The fact that there are only three is huge."Any business or property owner located within the CRIZ is required to submit a state report by June 15.Instructions and links can be found at

www.revenue.state.pa.us/CRIZ.Electronic filing will be available after April 1.