Businesses and nonprofits across Potter County and neighboring communities will see building improvements made possible through the PA Route 6 and PA Wilds Regional Façade Program.
Early this month, officials announced that 37 business or nonprofit properties were awarded grants to improve the look of their buildings, with 14 Potter County buildings awarded grants, along with 12 in McKean County, 7 in Tioga County and four in Warren County. The PA Route 6 Heritage Communities of Youngsville, Warren, Kane, Smethport, Coudersport, Austin, Galeton and Mansfield were invited to participate.
Approximately 50 additional locations will benefit through the PA Wilds Cooperative Signage Program, with grant awards expected to be announced shortly.
“Initiatives that encourage revitalization and business development are critical for the strength and vitality of Pennsylvania’s communities,” stated Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. “The funding that the PA Route 6 Alliance received will benefit efforts all along Route 6 in McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties — restoring facades and improving signage — to help bolster the economic well-being of the region’s businesses, communities and residents.”
Projects are funded at $5,000 each, with required 50/50, dollar-for-dollar matching funds coming from the benefitting business or nonprofit. The Department of Community and Economic Development supplied $183,000 in funding for the programs through the Keystone Communities Program. Additional funding was made available by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation and Partnerships Grant Program.
Eligible restoration activities for the façade program include design assistance, paint, new signage and repair or replacement of awnings.
The signage program will make smaller grants available for the purchase and/or installation of new signs. Guidelines were issued to ensure that improvements are consistent with the scale, character and history of the downtown area and each community as a whole.
“We’ve seen a lot of nature and heritage tourism investment in the Pennsylvania Wilds in recent years, and its creating real opportunities for communities to draw visitors in to fuel business and job growth and improve quality of life,” stated Ta Enos, executive director of the PA Wilds Center. “To attract visitors — and most other kinds of investment — communities need to appear welcoming. This program helps communities achieve that.”
Funding was available to commercial building owners and business owners, with property-owner approval, and nonprofit organizations, within the targeted area around the PA Route 6 corridor. Façade improvements need not be costly to improve the appearance of a property.
“It is the belief of those involved in the PA Route 6 and PA Wilds Façade Program that building improvements will not only improve the physical property of our region’s downtowns, but it will also result in a more viable community. Façade improvements will contribute to a more economically competitive central business district,” according to façade program information.
The goals of the façade program are to reduce or eliminate building vacancies and promote the adaptive reuse of commercial buildings; to bring substandard building conditions into compliance with codes and enhance the visual appeal of downtown business across the region; to encourage redevelopment and reinvestment and stimulate private investment to enhance commercial growth; to assist with the preservation of local historic commercial buildings and districts; to improve the aesthetics of downtown properties; and to create a compelling image of the region’s downtowns that will increase commerce, attract new business and foster a sense of community and civic pride.
With awards announced, property and business owners have until the end of October to complete work on their individual projects.
