Upper Schuylkill receives $1 million grant from DCED
Upper Schuylkill Downtowns (US) has received an impressive
financial shot in the arm in being awarded a $1 million grant that
will keep the regional revitalization organization operating through
2011.
The
grant announcement was made at the US Regional Steering Committee
meeting Wednesday evening at the Ashland Downtown Center by state
Sen. James J. Rhoades, R-29. In addition to funding the operations
of US past the current Main Street Program funding cycle, which will
end next year, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic
Development grant will also be used for development and implementation
of goals and objectives identified by the six US communities of Ashland,
Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown and Shenandoah.
Before announcing the grant award, Rhoades acknowledged
the strides that have been made in each community since the downtown
revitalization began. He also credited the work of US Executive Director
Patrice K. Rader in coordinating the regional effort and keeping people
motivated to do their best for their boroughs.
"We
were fortunate in finding a few dollars sitting around that we are
giving to Upper Schuylkill so you can carry on - $1 million,"
said Rhoades, holding up a large check. "This is to sustain you.
You're not going away next year. You're not falling apart. For all
those who are naysayers who said it won't work, it works."
The steering committee meeting had representatives
from all six boroughs, which gave Rhoades a chance to thank everyone
for their dedication.
"I want to thank all of you for everything that
you have done over these past years," he said. "It hasn't
been easy, but you've done an excellent job. You have a model that
the rest of the commonwealth can look at and emulate. You are doing
a lot of things, and it's getting better and better. Thanks for all
of your time, effort, energy and devotion that you've put into this
to make Upper Schuylkill the reality that it is."
Rhoades said a portion of the grant will be used to
implement new programs during the next five years, such as a regional
cleaning program, way-finding and signage system, regional marketing
and tourism plan, additional façade improvement assistance,
and a business recruitment and incentive program.
"On behalf of the Upper Schuylkill program and
the communities in which it serves, I am very excited and appreciative
of this grant award," said Rader.
"Our communities and volunteers are committed
to making a positive change and they rely on the leadership of the
Upper Schuylkill program in helping them do so. With this funding,
we can continue our hard work as a region and implement the projects
and program to help make those changes happen."
The US program serves a population of about 40,000
resident in the northern region of Schuylkill County. The six boroughs
are surrounded by townships with no downtown areas, so the downtown
business districts are also very important to their residents. Some
key accomplishments of the US program include a regional visioning
process, the development of a downtown organization in each community,
a regional downtown pedestrian and motorist safety initiative, façade
improvement program, shared training and grant writing programs, joint
purchasing of items, such as street banners, new business openings,
the Upper Schuylkill Homecoming, a shared resource library, Web site,
beautification projects, flower programs, streetscape projects and
the designation of two US boroughs as Pennsylvania Main Street Program
communities - Ashland and Shenandoah.
"Many towns across Pennsylvania have seen some
deterioration of the downtown areas as their communities age and people
and businesses come and go," said Rhoades. "The Upper Schuylkill
regional program and the collaborative efforts these six small urban
communities will have a continued opportunity to build consensus among
community partners, enhance the physical apprearance of the communities
and region, strengthen and diversify the economic base, and market
the unique characteristics of the region to shoppers, investors, new
businesses, tourists and others."
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