The City of Hazleton has announced its Citizen Participation Plan as it relates to the administration of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Click here to read the complete Citizens Participation Plan.
From answering your first basic inquiries, to providing guided tours of the City, to helping you identify the many sources of available financing, the staff of the City of Hazleton’s Office of Community and Economic Development looks forward to serving you in all of your business location and expansion needs.
Regardless of your needs, small or large, we'll either help or point you in the right direction to find an answer.
When you make your next business move, let Hazleton's Office of Community and Economic Development be your partner!
Please contact (570) 459-4965 or (570) 459-4967 for more information.
Visit the PA Human Relations Commission
Loans Available to City Businesses
Enterprise Zone
- site specific-Must be located in an Enterprise Zone to be eligible
- no specific limit on amount of loan, limited to 30% of project cost
- term is five to seven years, 4% fixed interest, quarterly payments
- available for, but not limited to, purchase of property and/or machinery/equipment, renovations, some working capital costs
- one job must be created in first three years for every $35,000 borrowed
- available in former Enterprise Zone area of city
- disbursement of funds requires Hazleton City Council approval
- bank and/or other Economic Development funding source is required to help meet remaining project cost
USDA Rural Business Enterprise
- amounts up to $10,000 or 50% of the project cost, whichever is less
- term is five years, 4% fixed interest, quarterly payments
- available for, but not limited to, start-up inventory; office equipment and supplies; working capital; website development; technology and training; technical assistance; professional services
- one job must be created within 24 months of the loan closing
- available city-wide.
PA Downtown
- amounts up to $5,000 or 50% of project cost, whichever is less
- term is two years, 0% interest (half payable on first anniversary, half on second)
- available for, but not limited to, exterior building improvements such as painting, siding, awnings, windows, doors, roof, sidewalks, and landscaping, signs. Some funds may be used for energy conservation improvements and security cameras
- available within the CBD.
Facade Improvement Program/Main Street-/EDI
- amounts up to $15,000 or 50% of project cost, whichever is less
- term is five years, 3% fixed interest, quarterly payments
- available for, but not limited to, exterior building improvements such as painting, siding, awnings, windows, doors, roof, sidewalks, landscaping, and design fees, signs energy conservation and some funds may be used for security cameras
- Main St. is available in the CBD and EDI is available City Wide
Anchor Building/Housing Redevelopment Assistance Program
- maximum loan is limited to 30% of the total project cost, depending on availability of funding
- interest rate is currently set at 4%. Term is 5-7 years
- eligible use is acquisition of real estate and/or equipment, façade improvements, such as painting, siding, roof, doors, windows, energy conservation, etc.
- soft costs, such as title, legal, architect, engineering, insurance, permits, etc.
City of Hazleton companies interested in being considered for a loan should contact the Office of Economic Development at City Hall. Joseph Zeller can be reached at 459-4965 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The City of Hazleton is an entitlement community receiving funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds are administered by the Office of Community and Economic Development. Limits are placed on the types of activities for which this grant may be used.
Eligible Activities
The following are basic eligibility categories:
- Acquisition of Real Property
- Business Development Loan Program
- Disposition
- Public Facilities and Improvements
- Clearance
- Public Services
- Interim Assistance
- Relocation
- Privately-Owned Utilities
- Rehabilitation
- Construction of Housing
- Code Enforcement
- Special Economic Development Activities
- Special Activities by CBDOs
- Home Ownership Assistance
- Planning and Capacity Building
- Program Administration Costs
- Miscellaneous Other Activities
All activities must also meet one of the following National Objectives:
- Benefit low and moderate income persons
- Prevent or eliminate slum or blight
- Meeting urgent needs
