GRCA Commerce Quarterly Summer 2021 - 34

in your community
kutztown
" Kutztown Made
for Walking "
By Sandy Green, Kutztown Community Partnership
On April 22, 2021, the Commonwealth Financing Authority
awarded the Borough of Kutztown a $674,844.00 grant for Multimodal
Transportation projects that will focus on making Kutztown a
walkable community and developing " streets as places, " which can
mean the difference between a monotonous route and a destination
people want to return to.
Borough Manager Gabriel Khalife said that the grant will be
used " to assist with improvements and enhancements to make the
Borough more walkable and accessible for pedestrian traffic and ADA
compliance, and to connect pedestrian traffic to the community. "
Kutztown Community Partnership (KCP) partnered with the
Borough to make Kutztown a safe and walkable community by
creating an Art and History Self-Guided Walking route. The goal of
this project is to promote walking in Kutztown and engage a diverse
set of community partners to help enhance the social infrastructure
and to leverage existing visual assets.
Pennsylvania State Sen. Judy Schwank commended Borough
officials for " their vision and foresight to pursue a project to make
an already friendly Borough more welcoming for residents and
visitors alike, " and Pennsylvania State Rep. Gary Day was pleased
to see the award go to Kutztown as he thinks it is " one of the most
walkable boroughs in Berks. "
To celebrate this accomplishment, Kutztown Community
Partnership hosted the " Kutztown Made for Walking " Sunset Walk,
a walk and networking outdoor event.
The 64 people who registered for the event walked
through Kutztown to a scenic view overlooking the
town. The event was to create an enjoyable walk
through our town and end up with one of the
most beautiful views in Kutztown. It provided an
opportunity for the community to walk together,
talk together, and hang out together.
Participants enjoyed a sampling of wine from
Weathered Vineyards, cheese from Haven Farmstead
and the amazing view from the property of Joel,
Dakota and Jack Seidel.
34 COMMERCE QUARTERLY SUMMER 2020
This was the first themed walk that KCP
sponsored, and it definitely will not be the last.
FALL DATES YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!
Kutztown Folk Festival Announces
New Director and Fall Schedule of Event
Berks County native Heather Zimmerman has been named
Director of the Kutztown Folk Festival.
" We are thrilled that Heather accepted our offer to lead the Kutztown
Folk Festival, " said Alex Ogeka, Executive Director of the Kutztown
University Foundation. " I am confident that her strategic vision and
strong local connections will help us take this event to the next level. "
Zimmerman was previously employed as the director of sales and
operations for the Hampton Inn and Suites Kutztown, where she
spearheaded all sales and marketing initiatives, developed partnerships
with local businesses, and planned events highlighting local artists
and vendors.
Zimmerman graduated from Kutztown University
in 1992 with a B.A. in English.
" I am delighted to be part of the Kutztown Folk
Festival, and I'm excited for its future, " Zimmerman
said. " I look forward to working with the team,
community, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors who
have made this festival a beloved event for years. "
Fest with us this fall as the Kutztown Folk Festival
presents our fall schedule!
www.kutztownfestival.com
http://www.kutztownfestival.com
GRCA Commerce Quarterly Summer 2021

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