Pocono News Section

Vice President Joe Biden Visits Bethlehem

Vice President Joe Biden Visits Bethlehem - Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 04:03AM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Thursday April 15 2010
BETHLEHEM, LEHIGH COUNTY- Vice President Joe Biden wasn't far from his Scranton Roots on Thursday. He helped break ground for a new company in Bethlehem. According to Mr. Biden, it's a success story coming from recovery act stimulus funds.

Vice President Joe Biden says he's almost home in Bethlehem. "The way I look at Bethlehem in the past is it means I'm almost home, you're not far from Scranton. I was born and raised in Scranton," he said.

Mr. Biden helped break ground for a new company in Bethlehem. He says it's possible because of recovery act funding. Not too far away on Main Street, Bethlehem, some are optimistic projects like this give America and Pennsylvania hope.

Jim Orlando of Bethlehem said, "It's a little too early to tell. I think we're seeing a significant change in the stock market and jobs are starting to come back. I have a neighbor who just received a new job so I think it's starting to work."

According to recovery. gov, a website tracking government stimulus money, Pennsylvania was awarded more than $6.6 billion in federal funds. Companies like the one the vice president spoke at Thursday are an example of who is getting a slice of that money.

But some here say the recovery act isn't trickling down to who needs it most. Tina Wida of Nazareth said, "Absolutely not, no. I don't think there's any help unless you're behind on your mortgage or you're a deadbeat there's no help for you."

Harry Warner of Bethlehem said, "If you just look at the national debt. I don't see any change in this economy to speak of for at least two years."

Whether or not change is immediately seen, visits like this one from the vice president are bringing more attention to efforts to make a change.