Downtown Allentown Alliance Secures $800,000 to Launch Pilot Programs - Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority

Public and Private Funding to Advance the Downtown’s Transformation

ALLENTOWN, PA, September 10, 2025 —The Downtown Allentown Alliance (DAA), an organization formed this year to build on the tremendous success downtown Allentown has achieved over the past decade, announced today that it has secured more than $800,000 in public and private funding. The funds will be used to launch DAA’s pilot programs, including an ambassador program, a marketing campaign and an activation plan, beginning this fall.

DAA aims to provide cohesive management of a sustainable effort to enhance the Downtown Allentown experience for residents, employees and visitors. Initial focus areas include positive public perception, a welcoming environment, retail variety and vibrancy and recognition of the City’s diverse cultural heritage.

In July, Allentown City Council approved a $300,000 donation from the City of Allentown to support DAA’s pilot programs. Last week, the board of the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority (ANIZDA) pledged $150,000 over two years to DAA in support of marketing within the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). Those contributions are in addition to $114,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, previously secured by state Senator Nick Miller to help launch the DAA.

Private funding of $240,000 was awarded to DAA in August by the board of the Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative (DADCI), whose member organizations include Air Products, Alvin H. Butz, Capital Blue Cross, City Center Group, Duggan and Marcon, Dunne Manning, Gross McGinley, Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, LVHN, Morton Brown, North Star Construction Management, PPL and St. Luke’s University Health Network. The DADCI board also voted to become a committee of the DAA board called the Founders Council.

“We are deeply grateful to all of the donors who are helping make our launch initiatives possible,” said Jill Meyers, DAA acting director. “The early support from Senator Nick Miller and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the City of Allentown and ANIZDA, provided a critical foundation that inspired many private-sector partners to join our cause. We’re especially thankful to the DACDI member organizations, whose commitment to downtown Allentown has been instrumental in moving the DAA’s vision forward.”

The $804,000 in total funding will be used by DAA to launch the following pilot programs:

A Downtown Allentown Ambassador Team through Block by Block, a nationally recognized leader in downtown place management, operating in more than 150 cities nationwide. The hospitality-focused Ambassador Team will help create a safe, welcoming environment downtown that encourages foot traffic, repeat visits and stronger community-business connections.
A Downtown Allentown Brand and Marketing Campaign to establish a cohesive identity for Downtown Allentown, shift outdated perceptions and drive sustained engagement, advocacy and visitation.
A Downtown Allentown Activation Plan designed to enhance existing events.

Last year, the DAA Steering Committee led by Senator Miller partnered with Public Sphere Projects, a national planning consultant, to develop a comprehensive strategy to cohesively manage and boost Downtown Allentown’s many assets. Using public input from surveys and in-person events, retailer market analysis, and stakeholder focus groups, the firm recommended DAA focus on four strategic pillars: Enhance Engagement & Vibrancy, Inspire Loyalty & Advocacy, Curate a Dynamic Retail Landscape, and Celebrate and Elevate Cultural Heritage.