Punxsutawney PRIDE showcase transformation sketches at meeting
PUNXSUTAWNEY — At a “vision update” meeting this week, Punxsutawney PRIDE showcased transformation sketches of what downtown could be with select improvements.
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Ebensburg Borough gains new recognition on National Register of Historic Places
EBENSBURG – Ebensburg Borough is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. According to a press release from the borough, the historic district nomination was recently approved by the National Park Service for the list, which is the nation’s official index of properties that are recognized for their significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and/or culture.
Read moreOMI leads effort to bring a theater back to Downtown Oxford
Oxford leaders see an entertainment venue as an important piece to the ongoing revitalization efforts.
Read moreCheck out the new businesses and historic restorations fueling Wilkinsburg’s renaissance
When Tracey Evans looks at the Wilkinsburg Train Station, she doesn’t see it in its current, dilapidated state. She pictures what once was, and what soon will be.
Read moreErie Hit ‘Rock Bottom.’ The Former Factory Hub Thinks It Has a Way Out.
Pennsylvania city aims to plow $150 million from mix of public, private sources to rebuild blighted downtown; ‘We might not have another chance’
Read moreStreetscape project in Bradford a boost for economic development
You could argue that looks aren’t everything — but in Bradford, one of the northern gateways to The Pennsylvania Wilds, local leaders are taking major steps to improve the façade of the downtown while preserving the historic architecture that so many small towns within the Wilds adore.
Read moreWorking toward ‘a better Plymouth’
PLYMOUTH — Residents, business owners and council members met on Monday night at the Wyoming Valley West high school cafeteria for the second of five planned meetings to discuss the revitalization of Plymouth in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
Read moreDean’s Way Dedication Planned for Cherry Street Mural Corridor
The Cherry Street Mural Corridor is a collection of public art created over the past 6 years. During this time, individual artists and hundreds of community volunteers have worked together with property owners to create this unique outdoor gallery.
Read moreCity of Sharon Maps Its Revitalization
Sharon is following the four-point approach of the Main Street America program – Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion and Organization – “a model that’s worked time and time again in communities,” Phillips says. The city will work with a consultant from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to develop a five-year plan, then apply to the national Main Street organization for recognition of its plan.
Read moreUpcoming New Manager Training - CANCELLED
New Manager Training scheduled for September 30 & October 1 has been cancelled.
Read moreNew Survey: Independent Businesses See Major Threats in Amazon, Corporate Concentration
The results of the 2019 Independent Business Survey from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance demonstrate the strength and resiliency of small, independent businesses. They also speak to the forces independents see as significant threats and roadblocks to their businesses: a playing field made uneven by policies that favor their bigger competitors, highly concentrated markets for key supplies and services, and difficulty securing capital, among other barriers.
Read more2019 Townie Award Winners
Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) recently presented ten (10) awards during the organization’s annual statewide Townie Awards gala.
Read morePA Lt. Governor visits Downtown Shenandoah Inc. innovation center site
Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor, John Fetterman, was in town Friday, meeting with Downtown Shenandoah, Inc., state, and local officials, and business leaders to learn about the revitalization organization's plans for an innovation and event center on North Main Street.
Read morePennsylvania Downtown Center Awards Best Performing Programs
Pennsylvania Downtown Center has named its best performing Main Street programs of 2019. This award recognizes those programs that have demonstrated an “across the board” capacity to generate new jobs, new businesses, public and private investment and volunteer hours during 2018.
Read moreFlip This Town: Episode #218
Recorded live at the Main Street Now Conference in Seattle, Ron and Kristi welcome Bill Fontana, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. Tune in as they explore the incredible things happening in downtowns across Pennsylvania, and Bill's insights on what's next for Main Street.
Read morePennsylvania Council on the Arts Announces New Funding Opportunity for Creative Placekeeping Projects
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) announced the launch of Pennsylvania Creative Communities, a new initiative to support vibrant communities across the commonwealth.
Read more$15M for Keystone Communities Program
PA Downtown Center requests $15 Million for the Keystone Communities Program Line Item in the DCED budget, before supplemental appropriations.
Read moreWhat If All Community Development Started with Local Arts and Culture?
Dee Briggs was expecting to do a routine demolition when she bought the vacant house next to her art studio in Wilkinsburg, Pa.
Read moreDay in the Life: Small but mighty in Easton
This summer, Keystone Edge is hitting the road to share the stories of people across Pennsylvania working in economic and community development. As you’ll discover, this exciting field involves so much more than just sitting behind a desk — it requires engaging the community, forging connections, and tackling new challenges on a daily basis. The “Day In the Life” series is created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association and Team Pennsylvania.
Read morePDC Staff News
Congratulations to PDC's Assistant Director, Julie Fitzpatrick! In July 2019 Julie will transition into the Executive Director position.
Read moreGovernor Wolf Approves Support for 22 Community Revitalization Projects Throughout Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced the approval of funding through the Keystone Communities program to support 22 community revitalization projects across the commonwealth.
Read moreDowntown Allentown wins Global Award for Excellence
The “Downtown Allentown Revitalization District (including PPL Center Arena Block & City Center Allentown)” was one of 13 real estate development projects worldwide to win the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2017-2018 Global Award for Excellence, which is widely recognized as the land use industry’s most prestigious award.
Read morePBS39 | FOCUS - Season 5, Episode 2
We focus on community and economic development. The United Nations eyes Bethlehem, PA as a world heritage site; one of the Lehigh Valley's busiest commuter corridors marks a special milestone; and partners aim to restore a downtown Allentown neighborhood one building at a time.
Read morePA Downtown Center Gala
Were you there? Are you here? Thank you Susquehanna Style for sharing in our celebration with style scene.
Read moreKennet Square Bursting At The Seams With Unprecedented Growth
“The development activity in this town, and the interest in this town, is immense,” said Rusty Drumheller, the borough’s codes enforcement officer. Drumheller said many people have come to his office expressing an interest in Kennett Square.
Read moreRestored Historic Spa Rejuvenates Both Its Guests and Nearby Bedford, Pennsylvania
The eight mineral springs of Bedford, Pennsylvania have been a mecca of rejuvenation for over two centuries…and for thousands of years before that, when one includes the original Native American residents.
Read moreGovernor Wolf Visits West Reading
Governor Wolf was there to see revitalization projects funded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development in collaboration with the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation's Main Street program and the Elm Street program.
Read moreGovernor Wolf tours revitalized Scranton neighborhood
“The state can’t, shouldn’t do everything,” the governor said. “This is really a community activity, but if the state can help and be supportive through things like the tax credits, like the Elm Street Program or the Main Street Program, we ought to be doing that. It’s really helpful to all of us to see success stories like this.”
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