ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mayor Matt Tuerk announced the launch of Allentown Works, a new initiative aimed at boosting economic opportunity and connecting residents with long-term, stable jobs.
The program seeks to remove barriers and build pathways toward education, training, and job stability, with a goal of connecting more than 650 residents to steady employment by 2030.
“Allentown Works will catalyze change for our city, improving lives and soon entire communities,” Tuerk said in a statement. “This is how our city responds to opportunity; this is how we show up.”
The program will focus on priority neighborhoods of Franklin Park, Center City, and the First and Sixth Wards. It will work with local employers, nonprofits, community organizations, and residents to increase access to training, affordable child care, transportation, and careers.
The City of Allentown and the Allentown Economic Development Corporation will administer the program, which is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s 2024 Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program.
Allentown was one of six communities nationwide to receive implementation funding through the Recompete program, securing a $20 million grant to reduce the city’s prime-age employment gap.
“The Allentown Economic Development Corporation is thrilled to be a part of bringing Allentown Works to our communities,” said Executive Director R. Scott Unger. “We are committed to breaking down barriers that may prevent our residents from accessing economic opportunity and connecting to long-term, stable employment in our city.”
