HARRISBURG – The January edition of the local TV program hosted by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) focuses on the past achievements and future goals of the Tamaqua City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ). Argall, who wrote the law that allowed Tamaqua to apply for its CRIZ designation, has often praised the many community partners who have worked to breathe much-needed new life into Tamaqua.
“When I was growing up in a ‘half a double’ on Arlington Street, I never could have imagined the progress we’ve seen in Tamaqua in the last few years,” said Argall. “Without the CRIZ and the hard work of so many members of the Tamaqua community, this transformation would not have been possible. While much remains to be done here, the benefits of the program continue for many more years. I hope we can take the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve revitalized Tamaqua and bring them to new towns, small and large, across the state.”
Tamaqua is the only borough in the state with this designation, which allows the community to utilize its state tax payments for economic development. Members of the Tamaqua CRIZ Authority recently led a group of state officials on a tour of many of the sites that have directly benefited from these investments, including the Perla Building, Child Development, Inc., the Bischoff Inn, the Tamaqua Train Station Restaurant, Boyer’s Food Market Complex, and Gimbel’s restaurant. Now, as noted in this month’s “Argall Report,” a new dental college and housing for students may locate in downtown Tamaqua in 2026 because of the CRIZ designation.
“The state is once again opening the CRIZ initiative to new communities for the first time in many years, due to bipartisan legislation I supported,” Argall continued. “My staff and I have reached out to communities throughout this Senate district in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties to consider an application, so that they too can take advantage of the benefits that have revitalized parts of downtown Tamaqua.”
This edition of the Argall Report will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Service Electric Cablevision: Hazleton, Mahanoy City; Shenandoah – on Hazleton’s WYLN TV 35 Channel 507 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for airtimes.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19). Please check local listings for airtimes.
The Argall Report is also available online at https://www.senatorargall.com/argallreport/
CONTACT: Jim Brugger