Cooperation could boost Ashland's grant money
BY JOHN E. USALIS TIMES shamrock
writer
12/22/2007
ASHLAND - Improved cooperation between Ashland Borough
Council and Ashland Downtown Inc. may help secure additional grant
funding for the borough streetscape program - from almost $250,000
to $750,000.
New funding sources were discussed at borough council's
recent meeting when it approved a resolution to submit an application
for a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community
and Economic Development for the streetscape project. Currently, the
borough has a PennDOT grant of $123,000 and a U.S. Department of Agriculture
grant of $99,600 for the project, which is scheduled to begin in the
spring around Centre Street and Hoffman Boulevard.
"Because ADI is in the Main Street Program, it
opens up some funding opportunities," said Borough Manager Steve
Ulceski.
The proposed project will begin at Ashland's main intersection
and expand to the extent of funding availability. It will include
lighting improvements, sidewalks and other items to make the area
more attractive and hopefully help bring new business to the downtown,
which is designated in the Main Street plan from First Street to 13th
Street along Centre Street.
Ashland was designated a Main Street community last
year. The Pennsylvania Main Street Program is a community and economic
development strategy of DCED. The structured five-year program is
part of a nationwide program to revitalize downtown business districts.
Main Street membership includes funds for physical improvements and
the hiring of a downtown manager to coordinate projects.
Earlier this year, ADI hired Greg Fisher as its Main
Street manager.
Shenandoah was also designated a Main Street community
in 2006 with Mary Luscavage as manager. Downtown Shenandoah Inc. coordinates
the revitalization effort.
The borough's DCED grant resolution was a meeting agenda
item, but learning of the additional DCED grant opportunity through
ADI was a surprise announced by ADI President Joseph T. Cataldo.
Through the cooperative effort, ADI will be able to
use the USDA and PennDOT grants as local matching funds for its DCED
grant application. To complete the $250,000 match, ADI will supply
the difference.
"Upper Schuylkill has $16,600 for the Borough of
Ashland for engineering fees to go toward this. That leaves a approximate
shortage of a little more than $10,000 and ADI is willing to meet
the shortage out of our funds so we can apply for the full amount
to have the whole downtown engineered in order to have a plan and
move forward," said Cataldo.
Groody said council is backing ADI's efforts in
downtown revitalization, while ADI assists the borough where needed.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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