Freeman announces $9.75 million for Easton-area projects
Rep. Robert L. Freeman July 16, 2026 | 3:57 PM
HARRISBURG, July 16 – State Rep. Bob Freeman today announced that $9.75 million in state grant funding was awarded to help build a new police station in Palmer Township, as well as new community facilities and continued redevelopment projects in Easton.
“My staff and I are always looking for ways to help local municipalities improve facilities and infrastructure, and we strive to encourage economic development throughout the district. By working with the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro and my legislative colleagues, I was able to help secure this funding that will lead to important upgrades, new jobs and business opportunities for Easton and Palmer Township,” said Freeman, D-Northampton.
Palmer Township will use its $1.5 million grant to construct a new police station with visitor parking, perimeter fencing, covered fleet parking, a sally port, and evidence garage.
The Greater Community Development Corp. was awarded $5 million to build the new Greater Community Empowerment Center, a new community facility in Easton that will house a gymnasium, health and wellness area, child care facility, a counseling center that will be used to address mental health needs, and classrooms that will provide job training services to help people with employment opportunities.
ProJeCt of Easton Inc. is using a $2 million grant to renovate a building at Easton and Berwick Streets to transform it into a state-of-the-art educational facility. Planned upgrades include an industrial elevator, modernized mechanical systems, energy-efficient windows that preserve the building's historic stained glass, a fire sprinkler system, and new electrical and plumbing systems. Additional features include new doors, custom carpentry and millwork, a fortified building envelope, and secure entry points.
Black Canyon LLC was awarded $750,000 to redevelop an existing warehouse on Bushkill Street in Easton, which will preserve and enhance the industrial facility. RACP funds will be used to complete critical construction and modernization, and will include buildout of second-floor office space, major upgrades to existing warehouse, installation of climate-control systems, warehouse partitions, and replacing truck loading docks.
Foundry Development Group LLC will use its $500,000 grant for “The Foundry” at Easton, a mixed-use community with commercial space and parking on the buildings' first floors, residential units on the upper floors, and unique architecture focused on environmental sustainability.
The funding was acquired through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, a state grant program for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.