SHENANDOAH - Downtown Shenandoah Inc. held a public meeting Wednesday to provide information about applying for a Keystone Facade Grant of $50,000.
The meeting of the downtown revitalization group is a requirement by the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the public to know about the grant application and allow for questions and comments about the facade program. About 20 people attended, including DSI members, borough officials, local business owners and individuals. The meeting was held in the American Legion Anthony P. Damato "Medal of Honor" Post 792.
DSI Executive Director Mary Luscavage spoke of the grant and proposed requirement changes the state is still ironing out.
"I want to let everyone know that the facade application is finally in," Luscavage said. "Now we have to wait for approval before we get any kind of funding. I don't know how long that process will take, but I know that it will probably be a couple of months before we know anything."
Receiving revitalization funding from the state is not just a matter of applying but that there is community support.
"The state requires that we have this type of meeting and, especially, that we have people who are interested in facades to be here so we can explain things to you," Luscavage said. "However, the state has changed the guidelines and they have not approved them yet, so they haven't sent them out."
Luscavage said the guidelines that DSI has been working in the borough may change slightly.
"I don't think our guidelines will change much, other than a few things will be added to it," she said. "I don't think there will be anything too major."
The current Main Street area for revitalization/facade funds is the length of Main Street, but DSI plans to expand the area.
"Because we were a designated Main Street area, our funding stopped on June 30," Luscavage said. "We are also applying for redesignation or new designation. We have expanded the area because we wanted to include all of Centre Street. We have to wait for the designation process before that expansion. A few of you here are in that expanded area. It will go from Souchuck's on East Centre Street to the (Shenandoah Valley) high school. Whether it includes just businesses or businesses and residential is something that he need to question."
Shenandoah remains as a Main Street community even without the redesignation and DSI could continue to apply for facade grants even if it is not a funded Main Street program. However, it would not have a priority status for funding without the redesignation.
DSI works with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is the only statewide nonprofit dedicated solely to the revitalization of the commonwealth's core communities, according to its website, www.padowntown.org. Primarily through utilization of the National Main Street Center's Four-Point Approach, PDC provides outreach, technical assistance and educational services in order to assist communities in revitalizing their central business districts and surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Luscavage added that the way funding is given to the facade program has change. In the past, funding for the facade program had the organization, such as DSI, receiving the funds directly and distributed as individual projects are completed. The new guidelines will have DCED keep the approved funding, and then DSI will apply for the project reimbursement.
"We are no longer going to have the money in hand," she said. "It may be a little bit long wait to receive your checks. The process is changing. The state's getting tough."
The facade program matches up to $5,000 for a single facade improvement, but no more than 50 percent of the project cost. A facade project of $12,000 will see the maximum $5,000 funding match. A project of $8,000 will be eligible for a $4,000 match. Corner block properties or free-standing buildings can receive up to $10,000 under the 50 percent conditions. Further details are available at the DSI office at 116-118 N. Main St. or by calling 570-462-2060.