1 week Ago
In the heart of Northampton County lies a 10-municipality region — including Bangor, Pen Argyl, Wind Gap and Portland — that together make up what we call the Slate Belt, so named for the rock that was quarried there beginning in the 1800s and used across the country in various applications. Rich in heritage and potential, this region has long faced economic challenges that mirror those of small towns in the rest of Pennsylvania and the nation: aging infrastructure, struggling downtowns and limited resources to support business and community development. For many decades after most of quarries closed the Slate Belt struggled.
But something is changing here. Through Slate Belt Rising, a neighborhood revitalization initiative of Community Action Lehigh Valley, we are seeing a true transformation — one built by local hands and fueled by federal funding. Programs such as the Community Services Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant aren’t just lines in a federal budget — they’re the lifeblood of our work.
Both programs provide money to eligible nonprofit community-based organizations or governmental entities that work to ameliorate the causes and conditions of poverty in disadvantaged and low-income communities. However, recently there have been discussions about cutting or eliminating both of these programs. Without these critical funding sources, efforts like Slate Belt Rising wouldn’t be possible.
And without Slate Belt Rising. many of the improvements residents and visitors now see in the Slate Belt simply wouldn’t exist. We’ve used these resources to lift up our communities in visible, meaningful ways: •Scholarship Program – Each year, we help students in the Slate Belt pursue their educational goals by providing scholarships that reduce financial barriers and open doors to new opportunities.
This investment in our youth ensures that talent stays rooted here and that hope for a better future remains strong. •Façade Improvement Programs – Whether it’s a downtown storefront in Bangor or a residential home in Pen Argyl, our façade programs breathe new life into our built environment. Fresh paint, repaired windows new signage — these aren’t just cosmetic upgrades; they are investments that signal pride, attract customers and inspire neighbors.
•Commercial Lease Subsidy Program – Opening a small business is hard enough. Our program eases that burden by covering a portion of rent for new businesses in the Slate Belt. It’s a simple but powerful way to support entrepreneurship and revitalize our main streets.
•Streetscape Enhancements – Grant money also helps pay for new lighting, benches, signage and landscaping projects in the Slate Belt towns’ commercial districts. With these improvements we are reshaping how people experience their communities. These additions help make our boroughs more walkable, more welcoming and more connected.
•Murals and Public Art – Art is more than decoration—it tells the story of who we are. Our murals celebrate history, culture and community pride. They draw visitors, energize neighborhoods and turn forgotten walls into focal points.
These projects didn’t happen overnight. They happened because federal dollars were matched with local vision, collaboration and hard work. Community Action Lehigh Valley operates 12 programs across Lehigh and Northampton counties — programs that address housing, food security, economic opportunity and neighborhood revitalization.
As one of those programs, Slate Belt Rising is a local engine for progress, and it exists because our federal lawmakers have committed to investing in real people and real places. Now, more than ever, that investment must continue. As Congress considers future budgets, I urge our elected officials to protect and expand funding for Community Services Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant programs.
These grants are not expenses — they are investments. They return dividends in the form of stronger communities, more resilient economies, and brighter futures. The Slate Belt is rising.
Let’s keep it that way. This is a contributed opinion column. Brian Fenstermaker is the director of Slate Belt Rising.
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