{"id":141475,"date":"2025-04-04T16:06:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T20:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=141475"},"modified":"2025-04-04T16:07:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T20:07:54","slug":"downtown-allentown-alliance-announces-partnership-with-united-way-of-the-greater-lehigh-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=141475","title":{"rendered":"Downtown Allentown Alliance Announces Partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Allentown, PA, April 2, 2025\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014The Downtown Allentown Alliance (DAA), a new organization formed to build on the tremendous success downtown Allentown has achieved over the past decade, announced today its new partnership with\u00a0United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The DAA, which officially launched in 2025, is dedicated to strategically increasing activation and engagement, retail variety and support, clean and safe streets, recognition of diverse cultures, and positive public perception of downtown Allentown. The DAA works to meet its goals for continuously improving downtown Allentown through community input, public and private funding and, effective immediately, a new partnership with United Way.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnited Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is the perfect partner to help launch our new organization,\u201d said Sen. Nick Miller, who helps lead the DAA Steering Committee. \u201cUnited Way\u2019s expertise in leadership development, donation management, grant writing, and much more will accelerate the startup of DAA and provide invaluable guidance and support until DAA becomes fully independent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThriving downtowns sit at the heart of thriving communities. At United Way, we\u2019re honored and excited to play a role in developing the new Downtown Allentown Alliance with many outstanding public and private partners. By providing strategic guidance, we look forward to building on the foundation of a vibrant district for businesses, residents, and visitors for many years to come,\u201d said United Way Chief Executive Officer Marci Lesko.<\/p>\n

Last year, the DAA Steering\u00a0Committee, including Sen. Miller and the Allentown Economic Development Corp., partnered with Public Sphere Projects, a national planning consultant, to develop a comprehensive strategy to cohesively manage and boost Downtown Allentown\u2019s many assets. Using public input from surveys and events, retailer market analysis, and stakeholder focus groups, the firm recommended DAA focus on four strategic pillars:<\/p>\n