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2005 Press Release

ATTENTION: EDITORS / ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

Contact:
Neil Cotiaux, FHLBank of Pittsburgh: 412-288-2851; cell: 412-335-9488
Kate Philips, press secretary, Office of the Governor: 717-783-1116

RENDELL TO ANNOUNCE REVITALIZATION SUPPORT FOR
22 PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITIES AT AUGUST 9 EVENT

'BLUEPRINT COMMUNITIES' REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LOCAL GROWTH TEAMS

HARRISBURG, PA, August 4, 2005 — Gov. Edward G. Rendell will announce the 22 Pennsylvania communities chosen to participate in a comprehensive new revitalization initiative Tuesday, August 9, at 11 a.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

The governor will announce the names of municipalities and neighborhoods across the state that will receive leadership training, technical assistance and funding opportunities to plan for and carry out effective revitalization programs. The training will be conducted this fall and is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) with the support of the Governor's Office of Housing and Community Revitalization, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and twelve other partners.

Blueprint Communities will help local leaders develop a comprehensive, long-term vision, craft strategic revitalization plans including potential sources of funding, and establish a time line for putting specific plans into action. Plans developed during training will be aimed at enhancing the quality of life in each community in a holistic manner and are expected to address the issues of housing, infrastructure, economic stimulation and healthy, safe surroundings.

Next Tuesday's event starts at 11 a.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol and is open to the media. Joining Gov. Rendell will be Jay Roy, president and chief executive officer of the FHLBank. An estimated 125 people will attend the kickoff, including officials from state and federal agencies, community-based organizations, business and universities.

Gov. Rendell will announce the names of participating communities, discuss the state's agenda for community and economic development, and present each Blueprint Community with a large banner that can be hung in a prominent location back home.

The 22 Blueprint Communities to be announced on Tuesday were selected as the result of an application process begun earlier this year. Selected communities assembled local leadership teams, provided detailed information on the neighborhood or community to be the subject of training, and explained how training would assist them in moving forward with a concrete plan of action for enhancing the quality of life in their community. A statewide advisory group assembled by the FHLBank assisted it in evaluating proposals from interested communities.

Media Materials Available

Electronic media unable to attend in person but desiring B-roll, video of the governor's remarks and sound bites from representatives of local communities should contact Cotiaux at the FHLBank to make arrangements. Both B-roll and sound bites will be available via satellite the day of the event, Tuesday, August 9, from 4 to 4:30 p.m. A repeat feed will be provided within that time period for the convenience of local stations. A news release containing the identities of the communities involved will be sent to media well in advance of the satellite feed.

Technical specifications for the satellite feed are as follows:

Date: August 9, 2005
Time: 16:00 - 16:30 (4 to 4:30 p.m. ET)
Satellite: AMC-4 (C-Band)
XP: XP C-24
Orbital Pos: 101 Degrees West Longitude
Polarity: Horizontal
Down Freq: 4180 MHz
Audio: 6.2 / 6.8 Discrete wide

Uplinked by WITF Harrisburg
Technical trouble #: 717-221-2959

For additional information, visit www.blueprintcommunities.com.