Governor Tom Corbett visited South Side Bethlehem March 21, but it was no social call. He was there to see for himself the former Bethlehem Steel No. 2 Machine Shop. Plans to transform this decaying and rusting hulk into a Bass Pro Shop are underway, thanks in large part to Corbett's designation of Bethlehem as not just a Christmas City, but a CRIZ City.

Late last year, Corbett designated both Bethlehem and Lancaster as CRIZ cities. Technically called a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, it's an economic tool for up to 130 acres in cities with a population of at least 30,000. Unlike Allentown's controversial NIZ, only new taxes generated from a CRIZ parcel can be used to fund development. It rewards only new development, not an existing business from another municipality.

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez, who introduced Corbett to a crowd of at least 40 elected officials and business leaders, said the Bass Pro project will give "new life to old steel."

State Senator Lisa Boscola, D-18th, was enthusiastic.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaimed, noting her father would be proud of her because he was a life long steelworker.

For Corbett, it's all about the jobs. He told the audience, on his way to Bethlehem, he learned the state unemployment rate had just dropped another 0.2 percent, bringing it down to 6.2 percent. That's below the 6.7 percent national average and is as low as unemployment has been in Pennsylvania since 2008.

Although Corbett spoke of the steel beams weighing 550 pounds currently inside the Empire State Building, he made clear he's more interested in Bethlehem's future. He called the CRIZ the "beginning of a voyage," and one that brings 3,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs, along with $1 billion in investment. He called the CRIZ the "spark to unleash new development."

He also made clear he'll be watching closely, and won't decide on additional CRIZ designations until he sees how things work in Bethlehem.

Aside from Donchez, two former mayors - John Callahan and Don Cunningham - were also present. So were the Lehigh and Northampton county executives Tom Muller and John Brown. Northampton County Council President Peg Ferraro also donned a hard hat as Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem interim President Doug Niethold led the tour.