Building a Stronger Future for the Mount Carmel Area
22 Jul 2026
Articles, News
Partners Launch the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative to Advance Workforce Development, Community Revitalization, and Economic Opportunity
MOUNT CARMEL, PA — A diverse coalition of local, regional, state, and national organizations has officially launched the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative, a long-term collaborative effort dedicated to strengthening the Mount Carmel Area by investing in its people, neighborhoods, businesses, and community assets. Through workforce development, education, strategic partnerships, and economic opportunity, the Initiative seeks to build lasting community capacity while improving quality of life for current and future generations.
Like many rural communities across America, the Mount Carmel Area is defined by its rich history, resilience, strong sense of community, and unwavering pride. The Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative builds upon those strengths - not by replacing what makes the community unique, but by helping residents, organizations, and local leaders work together to create new opportunities while honoring the area's heritage.
The Initiative was made possible through support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, whose investment served as the catalyst for local and regional partners to begin building the relationships, shared vision, and collaborative framework that now form the foundation of this effort. By investing in collaboration first, Bloomberg helped create the conditions for long-term, sustainable community transformation.
At the heart of the Initiative is a simple belief: no single organization can revitalize a community alone. Lasting change happens when organizations align their expertise, resources, leadership, and shared commitment around a common vision. Together, coalition partners are creating a coordinated approach to workforce development, strategic planning, economic development, community engagement, and community revitalization - ensuring that individual projects contribute to a broader vision for the future of the Mount Carmel Area.
Coalition partners include Coalfield Development, Partners for Rural Impact (PRI), Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO), the Mount Carmel Area Community Center, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU), H& P Construction, Inc. (HPCI), Bucknell University, the Borough of Mount Carmel, and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).
Each partner contributes unique expertise - from workforce development and education to grant funding, nonprofit capacity building, economic development, research, strategic planning, and community engagement. Together, the Collaborative will align resources, pursue funding opportunities, build organizational capacity, and support projects that improve quality of life throughout the Mount Carmel Area.
Earlier this year, support from Bloomberg Philanthropies www.bloomberg.org enabled representatives from the Mount Carmel coalition to attend the Partners for Rural Impact Rural Summit for Cradle to Career Success in Buffalo, New York, where community leaders from across the country explored innovative approaches to rural revitalization, workforce development, education, and cross-sector collaboration. The experience reinforced the value of coordinated partnerships and helped inspire the collaborative model now taking shape in the Mount Carmel Area.
Investing in People While Investing in Place
The Revitalization Initiative's first project demonstrates the Collaborative's commitment to investing simultaneously in people and place.
Beginning this summer, four workforce trainees will participate in a hands-on workforce development pilot project centered at the Mount Carmel Area Community Center. Under the leadership of H&P Construction (HPCI) and with oversight from Mayor Bing Cimino, trainees will complete landscape improvements and site enhancements around the Community Center while gaining valuable construction and workforce experience.
The project serves as more than a beautification effort - it represents the Collaborative's philosophy of creating opportunities for residents while making visible investments in community assets that benefit everyone.
While the Community Center serves as the starting point, the vision extends far beyond a single facility. The Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative will continue expanding projects and partnerships throughout the entire Mount Carmel Area as new funding opportunities become available.
Building the Roadmap for Tomorrow
While the workforce development pilot project marks the Initiative's first visible investment in the community, coalition partners are already laying the foundation for long-term revitalization across the entire Mount Carmel Area.
SEDA-Council of Governments will actively pursue grant funding to support the planning effort. Once funding has been secured, SEDA-COG will lead the procurement of a qualified planning consultant to facilitate a comprehensive community engagement process and develop a long-term implementation strategy for the Mount Carmel Area.
The GoMountCarmel! Plan will engage residents, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and community partners in creating a shared vision for the future while identifying priorities and actionable projects related to housing, economic development, workforce development, downtown revitalization, entrepreneurship, parks, recreation, infrastructure, neighborhood investment, and overall quality of life.
Partner Perspectives
"Communities are transformed when organizations work together around a shared vision," said Josiah Hannah of Coalfield Development. "The Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative is about building long-term capacity, investing in people, and helping local partners create sustainable opportunities that will benefit the community for generations."
Mayor Bing Cimino believes the Initiative represents an important milestone for the community. "This pilot project demonstrates exactly what this Collaborative is all about - bringing people together to invest in our community while creating opportunities for residents to learn valuable skills," Cimino said. "It's the first step in what we believe will become a long-term revitalization effort benefiting the entire Mount Carmel Area."
"One of the greatest strengths of this initiative is that every organization brings unique strengths to the table," said Betsy Kramer, Director of Community Revitalization at SEDA-COG. "No single organization could accomplish this alone. By working together, we can pursue funding, coordinate implementation, support local leadership, and help transform community ideas into lasting projects that strengthen the entire Mount Carmel Area."
Cathy Besser from the Mount Carmel Area Community Center added: "We are honored that the Community Center will serve as the starting point for this exciting initiative. While the first project begins here, the vision reaches far beyond our walls. This effort is about creating opportunities for residents, strengthening partnerships, and helping build a brighter future for the entire Mount Carmel Area."
Katherine Vastine, Leadership Coordinator with CSIU shared: “At CSIU, we believe lasting community revitalization begins by investing in people. When individuals have opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence, and discover a path toward meaningful employment, the benefits extend far beyond one person—they strengthen families, employers, and the entire community. We're honored to partner with so many organizations that share this commitment to creating opportunities and expanding what's possible for the Mount Carmel Area.”
Shaunna Barnhart, Director of the Ecology Center's Place Studies Program at Bucknell University University added: “Collaboration with local partners on the priorities they have for their communities is central to how we approach connecting student involvement and learning beyond the classroom to real-world impact. We are excited to support Mount Carmel partners and continue strengthening and broadening place-based partnerships that produce tangible positive impacts.”
Megan Bair, CEO of CSO shared: “CSO is proud to be part of this collaboration that recognizes revitalization begins with people. This collaboration reflects CSO's mission to strengthen communities by empowering individuals. This initiative reflects the kind of shared commitment needed to strengthen the Mount Carmel Area today as we work towards creating economic mobility for all.”
Looking Ahead
In the months ahead, coalition partners will continue expanding the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative by engaging residents, pursuing additional grant funding, strengthening partnerships, and identifying new opportunities to invest throughout the Mount Carmel Area.
The Collaborative invites everyone with a passion for the Mount Carmel Area to become part of this exciting effort as partners work together to build a stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient community for generations to come. Community members, businesses, nonprofits, and organizations interested in supporting the Initiative are encouraged to connect with any coalition partner or contact SEDA-COG, which is coordinating communications for the Collaborative, to be connected with the appropriate partner or opportunity.
Media Contact:
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)
Betsy Kramer
Director of Community Revitalization & Resiliency
201 Furnace Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837
About the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative
Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative brings together a diverse coalition of partners committed to creating lasting opportunity throughout the Mount Carmel Area. Guided by The Mount Carmel Collaborative, the Initiative combines workforce development, education, strategic planning, economic development, and community revitalization to help residents shape and implement a shared vision for the future.
Building the Future Together | |
Organization | Contribution |
Bloomberg Philanthropies | Founding Funder & Initiative Catalyst - Provided the investment that brought coalition partners together, supported participation in the Rural Impact Summit, and launched the Mount Carmel Revitalization Initiative. |
Coalfield Development | Coalition leadership, workforce development, capacity building |
Partners for Rural Impact | Rural prosperity, family and youth opportunity |
Mount Carmel Area Community Center | Community hub and pilot project location |
Borough of Mount Carmel | Local leadership, community engagement, project support |
H&P Construction, Inc.(HPCI) | Workforce training, construction mentorship, pilot landscaping project |
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) | Education, workforce development and career readiness |
Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) | Recruitment and outreach, supportive services, job training and community engagement |
Bucknell University | Research, technical assistance, and student engagement |
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) | Strategic planning, grant development, funding strategy, coalition coordination & communication |
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