Supporting Elm And Main (SEAM) COVID-19 Relief Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 15, 2021
Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced that 43 projects totaling nearly $2 million have been approved for funding under the COVID-19 Relief – Supporting Elm and Main (SEAM) program.
“Over the past year, communities across the commonwealth have faced devastating impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Pennsylvania’s network of community development organizations never ceased answering the call for help,” said Gov. Wolf. “Our Elm Street and Main Street programs work tirelessly year in and year out—even in the best of times—to improve their communities, and this funding will provide them with the support they need to overcome the challenges they’ve recently faced.”
A list of approved projects can be found here.
SEAM provides financial assistance to community revitalization organizations dedicated to community and economic development in older and historic downtowns, commercial districts, and neighborhoods according to the principles of the Elm Street and Main Street approaches. The program, supported by Keystone Communities funding, is intended to assist Elm Street and Main Street organizations that have been economically impacted by COVID-19.
“Our Main Street and Elm Street programs are crucial partners in sustaining the quality of life, economic vitality and community values that we have all come to rely on. They are the boots on the ground technical service provider, and the convener and coordinator that unite the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in our communities. Throughout the commonwealth our programs have continued to act with ingenuity and resourcefulness – building innovative partnerships and creative solutions every day, but particularly since the pandemic,” said Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
Since the early 1980’s, Pennsylvania’s Main Street program participants have provided crucial on-the-ground support for local businesses, particularly those in smaller and more rural communities—attracting more than $1.764 billion in public and private investment, creating over 24,000 net new jobs and over 7,300 net new businesses. As the Main Street America® Coordinating Program, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) provides technical assistance, board and committee support and education to designated Keystone Communities programs.
Eligible applicants for the program included designated Keystone Main Street, Keystone Elm Street, or Keystone Communities organizations, 2020 Nationally Accredited Main Street programs, and community development organizations. Applicants were required to employ, and continue to employ for at least the next year, a paid professional manager or coordinator responsible for the administration of the revitalization strategy/program.
For more information on the concept of community revitalization, visit PDC’s website. For more information about designated Main Street or Elm Street programs, nationally accredited communities, or how PDC can help you make your town a better place, contact Maria Wherley at (717) 870-9334 or email here.
About Pennsylvania Downtown Center
Founded in 1987, the mission of Pennsylvania Downtown Center is to build and support the capacity of local nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and individuals to enhance the overall well-being and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s core communities. PDC accomplishes this mission by engaging and educating local community leaders and volunteers, to advance the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of the Commonwealth’s downtowns, traditional neighborhood business districts and nearby residential areas. For more information about designated Main Street or Elm Street programs or nationally accredited communities, contact Maria Wherley at (717) 870-9334 or email here.
