CARBONDALE, Pa. – The City of Carbondale is one of ten Pennsylvania communities officially selected to participate in Blueprint Communities®, a place-based revitalization initiative created by FHLBank Pittsburgh (FHLBank) and managed by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC). The initiative provides training and resources to support local leaders in building sustainable and thriving communities.

Local leaders across Eastern Pennsylvania have formed teams to participate in an 18-month training, planning and implementation process supported by PDC. The Carbondale team includes representatives from an FHLBank member institution, People's Security Bank, local governments and community organizations including NeighborWorks Northeastern PA, Valley in Motion and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance. Community teams will develop a comprehensive revitalization strategy focused on improving residents' quality of life through building community assets, engaging residents, improving on-site housing, and attracting new businesses and jobs.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) will lead the Blueprint Communities teams for the next few years, said Julie Fitzpatrick, executive director at PDC. “For so many of these cities, the timing of this initiative is ideal and will be a catalyst to advance their communities. Long-term change requires committed local leaders like these who have a desire to make lasting decisions that impact the community for generations.”

FHLBank's Blueprint Communities initiative helps communities in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia:

• Create a clear vision and holistic community plan.
• Grow local leaders and improve collaboration
• Attract public and private investment to achieve the community's vision and goals.

Carbondale residents could improve their quality of life by working together as neighbors. NeighborWorks has already begun building relationships with residents as part of its recent community visioning project, “Heart and Soul.” By working with the City of Carbondale, partner organizations and community leaders, they advance the community in developing long-term sustainable goals that will benefit future generations living in Carbondale, a spokesperson said.

Carbondale was thrilled to be selected, Mayor Michele Bannon said. “This opportunity allows us to bring together members of our community from diverse backgrounds who are striving to build a strong, vibrant future. Our team will work with the community to create a resident-generated plan based on their dreams and the possibilities of our great city. We have so much to offer and so much to celebrate. We continually seek and ask our residents to help shape and shape our future. Blueprint Communities will enable us to build these partnerships and collaborations for a sustainable and impactful future.”

Previous Blueprint Communities participants have seen meaningful initiatives come to fruition, such as: B. Community centers, rail-to-trail projects, affordable housing, school renovation projects, downtown beautification, community gardens, collaborations between local businesses and other community-driven initiatives. Since the program's inception in 2005, 28 Pennsylvania communities have participated in this initiative. Participating communities have leveraged Blueprint Communities' efforts to generate millions in public/private investments for their communities.

About FHLBank Pittsburgh

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of Pittsburgh provides reliable financing and liquidity to its member financial institutions, which include commercial and savings banks, community development financial institutions, credit unions and insurance companies in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. FHLBank's products and resources support community lending, housing and economic development. As one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks chartered by Congress, FHLBank has been an integral and trusted part of the financial system since 1932. Find out more by visiting www.fhlb-pgh.com or during a visit https://www.fhlb-pgh.com/blueprint-communities.

About the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC)

PDC is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the revitalization of the Commonwealth's core communities. As a PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) state partner for Keystone Communities Main

Street and Elm Street programs and as state coordinator for Main Street America, PDC fulfills its mission by engaging local community leaders and volunteers to promote the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of their downtowns, neighborhood business districts and nearby residential areas. Visit www.padowntown.org for more informations.

About NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania:

NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization that has been committed to increasing the financial stability of families and individuals for more than 40 years by providing programs and services that promote responsible homeownership and affordable housing throughout the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and Northeastern Creating and Preserving Pennsylvania. With programs such as homeownership coaching and education, aging in place, home renovation services and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, NeighborWorks has deep roots in the community. For more information about NeighborWorks, visit www.nwnepa.org.