The City of Reading took a major step toward economic growth and revitalization with the official submission of its application for the Community Revitalization & Improvement Zone (CRIZ) program. This initiative, aimed at transforming vacant and underutilized spaces in the city, was announced during a press conference held at City Hall Wednesday by Mayor Eddie Moran.
The CRIZ program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), offers a unique opportunity for municipalities to attract private investment by allowing state and local taxes generated in designated zones to be reinvested in redevelopment projects. The program has been instrumental in revitalizing cities like Bethlehem, Tamaqua and Lancaster, and Reading now seeks to follow suit with its own 130-acre zone.
Addressing a room filled with community leaders, city officials, and members of the press, Mayor Moran emphasized the transformative potential of the CRIZ designation. He called the submission of the application a “historic moment” for the city and credited the success of the submission to the tireless efforts of city staff, volunteers, and local leaders.
“This CRIZ application is a game changer,” said Moran. “It’s about more than just money. It’s about changing lives. Picture Penn Street alive with new businesses, families enjoying downtown, and people not just visiting but living and working here. Over $540 million in new development could be unlocked for Reading.”
According to the mayor, the program is projected to create approximately 3,000 jobs and facilitate the development of 6,000 new housing units over the next three decades. The plan also promises to revitalize blighted areas, transform underused spaces into vibrant business hubs, and improve infrastructure across all neighborhoods in the city, not just downtown.
State Representative Manny Guzman, who also spoke at the event, shared a deeply personal connection to the city and the CRIZ program. Guzman, a Reading native, expressed excitement about the opportunities the CRIZ will bring, recalling his experiences growing up in a city with numerous vacant lots and abandoned buildings.
“This CRIZ application is going to be a critical tool in moving our city in a new direction,” Guzman said. “We’re talking about revitalizing neighborhoods like the South Side, bringing back over half a billion dollars in development, and transforming Penn Street into a bustling hub of shopping and retail.”
Guzman, along with Moran, highlighted how the program would benefit not just the business community, but every resident of Reading. Through workforce development programs and support for local entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to create sustainable economic growth that will lift the entire community.
The CRIZ application, submitted this morning, will now be reviewed by the state. Both Moran and Guzman expressed optimism about Reading’s chances, particularly given the strong advocacy efforts from local leaders and state legislators. The program, which has already been successful in cities like Lancaster and Bethlehem, is expected to generate millions in reinvested tax dollars each year.
“This isn’t our first attempt,” Mayor Moran noted, referencing Reading’s prior efforts in 2013 to secure the designation. “But this time, we have more support and a better understanding of what it takes. We are confident this will become a reality for Reading.”
The mayor concluded the press conference with a message of hope for the future: “Reading is ready. We are ready to build a city where businesses grow, families thrive, and opportunities are all around us.”