Newman returns to the Pennsylvania Downtown Center board

WILKES-BARRE — Larry Newman, executive director at the Diamond City Partnership, has been reappointed as a Pennsylvania Downtown Center board member after serving as ex-officio and past president during the last two years.

“I’m very pleased to be returning to the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) board,” Newman said. “I had previously chaired the PDC board.”

Following the mandatory break that PDC’s bylaws require of directors who have served for two consecutive terms, Newman can now return to the organization’s board.

“One of PDC’s most important roles is to amplify the voices of those working to improve downtowns and Main Streets across Pennsylvania,” Newman said. “Today, as COVID-19 presents Downtown Wilkes-Barre and its fellow business districts with unprecedented challenges, PDC’s advocacy and resources are more important than ever.”

Today at 2 p.m., Newman said the city’s downtown will welcome another business.

Newman said, “They’re actually old friends, returning to their downtown roots: insurance agency J.W. Hoban & Associates, founded in our center city in 1896 and located in the City of Wilkes-Barre for its entire history, will be cutting the ribbon on its new offices at 265 South Main St., across the street from Bank+Vine.”

Newman said even during the best of times, downtown revitalization is easier said than done.

“So the ability to share ideas with peers is critical,” Newman said. “From Philadelphia to Erie, downtown organizations across the state look to PDC to provide those connections.”

Newman said he is looking forward to rejoining the PDC board.

”I’m honored to be able to represent Wilkes-Barre and Northeastern PA in this leadership role,” he said.

Founded in 1987, the mission of Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) is to build and support the capacity of local non-profit organizations, municipalities and individuals to enhance the overall well-being and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s “core” communities.

PDC accomplishes this mission by engaging local community leaders and volunteers, and educating them, to advance the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of the Commonwealth’s downtowns, traditional neighborhood business districts and nearby residential areas.

The PDC also welcomed Maria Boileau, Justin Dula, Jeanine Henry, Kathy Ramson, and Sonya Smith as new board members effective July 1, 2020.

“We are fortunate to have all of these incredibly talented and dedicated new individuals join the organization, and we look forward to their leadership throughout the next few years.” Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Downtown Center.