As we open the state's first CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone) project in Bethlehem, I am proud of the role I played in bringing the CRIZ designation to Bethlehem, but even more proud that a local businesswoman is making this first project happen.

Located in the very South Bethlehem neighborhood where I was raised, this new initiative will help continue Bethlehem's evolution from a declining steel town to modern and vibrant city.

CRIZ allows for the use of future tax revenues to pay for infrastructure and development costs of local projects. Its use in Bethlehem will help enhance and accelerate the city's efforts to attract more jobs and businesses.

It is important to emphasize that CRIZ is a revenue neutral incentive. It leverages and invests revenue from new businesses, not existing ones. Instead of contributing tax dollars to the initiative, the Bethlehem Area School District and the city will benefit from the economic growth and higher property values.

All of the city's development projects are in line with its comprehensive plan, previous revitalization efforts and commitment to smart growth. Bethlehem's CRIZ program is expected to help generate 4,120 permanent jobs, stoke $300 million in new development and plow $83.8 million in new revenue into our economic development efforts.

On a personal level, this project also has special significance to me because of the building involved and the entrepreneur taking the risk. As someone who was privileged to succeed Jeannette Reibman, the first woman ever elected to the state senate, I take pride in encouraging women to play an active role in business and local planning efforts.

Elaine Pivinski is a trailblazer. Named one of Pennsylvania's top 50 businesswomen, she is the founder and owner of Franklin Hills winery, Pennsylvania's first female-owned winery. Elaine's new project, the Social Still, is not only the state's first CRIZ project, it is Bethlehem's first-ever distillery.

Coincidentally, Ms. Pivinsky is remodeling the century-old Goztonyi Savings and Trust building. Rosi Gosztonyi, who has the distinction of being the first woman president of a bank in Pennsylvania, managed that bank, which was well known back in the day for serving immigrants who worked primarily at Bethlehem Steel.

The application for the bank's designation on the National Register of Historic places notes that the "building stands as a representation of the contribution of this industrious woman, who used her skills and resources to improve not only the lives of her family, but the community at large." It is wonderful that almost 100 years later, another successful and industrious woman is using this same building as part of Bethlehem's resurgence.