The latest funding targets the Northeast for specific projectsin Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Reading. Easton is the biggestbeneficiary with $9 million to support redevelopment at theBushkill Creek Corridor and Village. Lafayette College ispartnering in the public-private initiative to revitalize the areabetween Route 22 and College Hill, which includes acquiring landand buildings along the corridor, razing buildings and beautifyingexisting facades. It has invested nearly $4.4 million.

Reading received close to $4.3 million in RACP funding. Of that,$3 million will be used to convert the former Dalloz eyeglassfactory into a regional arts center for 40 artists' studios, atheater and five galleries. Sovereign Bank received $500,000 forconstruction of a new office building in Reading. With another$758,000, the City of Reading will buy the 2.6-acre former GardenState Tanning Inc. site and clear it for sale to FleetwoodIndustries for construction of a new plant.

The largest share of a $2.7-million grant to Bethlehem went tothe City's parking authority for construction of a $5-millionparking complex at the Lehigh Riverport. A new, 76,000-sf officeand retail complex in Allentown will utilize $2 million of thatcity's $2.5-million RACP funding. Local contractor Alvin H. ButzInc. will construct the building and lease space for itsheadquarters there.