Nazareth Borough Takes Step Toward Downtown Revitalization with Economic Development Commission

With an 8 to 1 vote, Nazareth Borough Council Monday night approved the creation of an Economic Development Commission, which would work to revitalize the downtown.

“We’ve had several groups throughout the years come together with the intention of revitalizing the downtown,” said Councilwoman Cynthia Werner, adding that all previous revitalization plans have always fallen through. 

The Economic Development Commission idea snowballed from meetings held by the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce.  After several gatherings with area residents, business owners and building owners, the chamber felt a commission may be what Nazareth needs, according to Tina Smith, chamber president.

However, Council feels it needs to step in to ensure revitalization plans finally come to fruition, according to Smith.

Council members discussed a Façade Grant, which would be used to finance improvements to the exterior of properties.

The grant would total $10,000: $2,000 from the borough, $5,000 from the county, and $3,000 from the Borough Business Revitalization Plan (BBRP), which was established in 2005 by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

According to Werner, the money could be used toward beautification, promotion and other projects.

“Whatever the commission decides to use [the money] for,” Werner said.

But not everyone is supporting council's action.

For Frank DeRosa, chairman of the Nazareth Chamber, the Council is putting the cart before the horse.

“They are looking into this grant without having the commission established or having a plan,” he said after the meeting.  “They first need a plan to know where exactly this money is going.”

To qualify for the $3,000 from the BBRP, a member of the Lehigh Valley Chamber would need to be involved in the commission and would act like a mentor.

DeRosa doesn’t understand why Council is pursuing an outside source to help with the revitalization of its downtown.

“[The Nazareth Chamber] supports the [Lehigh Valley Chamber], but we support Nazareth fixing its own problems,” DeRosa told Council members.  “Once again you’re bringing in someone who’s not from Nazareth.”

Councilman Jack Herbst agreed.

“I feel [the commission] should be an arm of the chamber, not an arm of the borough,” he said.  “I don’t think this should really be any part of the borough government.”

Herbst, who cast the sole “no” vote, believes the local chamber should be the organization in charge.

“You guys are the experts and if you want to form an Economic Development Committee, there’s funds out there,” he said.  “I’m sure you guys know where to get them.  Form the committee yourself.  You’re the experts, we’re not the experts up here.” 

Although the Economic Development Commission was approved, Smith knows the Nazareth Chamber will be heavily involved with downtown revitalization. 

“We’re the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce.  We’re here and we want to be involved as much as possible,” Smith said.

Details of the commission, such as how many members will make up the group, were not discussed or finalized at the meeting.