EASTON, Pa. — Community leaders and elected officials gathered in Easton on Thursday to celebrate a $1 million state investment supporting Lehigh Valley events and programs tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
The funding, announced by Lehigh Valley 250 organizers, will help support educational programs, performances, tourism initiatives and community events commemorating 250 years of American independence.
“Today we announced that Lehigh Valley 250 was awarded a million dollars from the state, both from a bipartisan, bicameral effort,” said Jessica Edris, project administrator for Lehigh Valley 250.
Edris said the funding follows years of collaboration among local organizations, community partners and state lawmakers across the Lehigh Valley.
The effort also highlighted rare bipartisan cooperation in Harrisburg, according to Democratic state Sen. Lisa Boscola.
“The Senate is Republican majority, the House is Democrat majority, we have a Democratic governor,” Boscola said. “You can’t do anything unless you work together. If you’re going to be a region that wants to secure funding dollars, you have to work together.”
Edris compared the partnership behind the initiative to the cooperation that helped shape the nation’s founding.
“It really is very similar to the work that got the Declaration of Independence written in the first place,” Edris said. “It was a group of people who came together with some ideas and decided to work toward that same goal. And now today, we have the ability to celebrate all of that good work.”
Organizers also announced a new grant opportunity for local businesses and organizations planning anniversary-related events.
According to Edris, a webpage launching Thursday will allow groups to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support events connected to the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.