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Sixteen downtown State College businesses and properties have been selected to receive funding through the Main Street Matters Facade Improvement Grant Program, supported by an $80,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
The grants, providing up to $5,000 per eligible project with a required 1:1 match, will support exterior improvements designed to enhance the appearance and vitality of downtown State College.
The businesses and properties receiving funding and their planned improvements are:
-- Ambassador Building -- New awning
-- Antifragile Brewing Company -- New canopy roof
-- Appalachian Outdoors -- Painting and lighting
-- Balfurd Cleaners -- New marquee sign
-- Beaver Plaza -- New signage and painting
-- Blue Brick Theatre -- New windows and painting
-- Drip Studios -- New sign
-- The Family Clothesline -- New sign
-- Fraser Street Commons -- New sign, awning refurbishment and painting
-- Hawaiian Yummy Bowl -- New sign
-- Manny's Live Performance Space -- New sign, lighting and planters
-- Penn Steaks -- New sign
-- Penn Tower -- New sign and painting
-- The State Theatre -- Marquee glass and lighting
-- Yoga Lab -- Painting and awning refurbishment
-- Zeno's -- New sign
With both public and private investment, this round of funding represents a total of $114,340 in investment in downtown State College. The facade improvements will contribute to that investment by helping local businesses and property owners make visible improvements to their buildings and storefronts.
"These projects are a great example of how public investment can directly support the businesses that make downtown State College a unique and vibrant place," said Lee Anne Jeffries, executive director of the Downtown State College Improvement District. "Each project will make a visible contribution to the downtown streetscape while helping individual businesses and property owners invest in their spaces."
Next year, DSCID plans to offer a more competitive facade grant opportunity that will allow several additional projects in the district to receive the remaining state funds.
The Main Street Matters program is intended to encourage investment in downtowns and commercial districts, strengthen local businesses, and enhance the appearance and economic vitality of communities.
"We are grateful to the Commonwealth and DCED for making these resources available to our community," Jeffries said. "We look forward to seeing these projects take shape and continuing the momentum next year."
For more information about the Downtown State College Improvement District and its programs, visit the website or contact the office at 814-238-7004 or downtown@downtownstatecollege.com.