We have reason to feel optimistic that our collective voices are being heard and our efforts are being recognized in the Pennsylvania state legislature. Let's not slow down! Instead, please continue to call, write, and email your state representatives and senators with our message.
Read moreThe Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) is seeking expressions of interest from architecture, landscape architecture, planning, and other interested design professionals who would like to participate in a series of small-scale design projects related to the implementation of social distancing in historic communities.
Read moreThis is our time to reinvent what the future holds in our communities, as Main Street and Elm Street programs we are working to lead the effort. It is our fear that the true impact we have on our communities will not be felt, nor appreciated, until we have to close our doors, and by then, it will be too late. We ask that you help us keep the doors open, so that we can continue to provide necessary services, by supporting these nonprofit supporting pieces of legislation.
Read moreThis list is updated weekly, and businesses should be able to expect to access their funding by the following week after posting.
Read moreThese Pennsylvania cities offer an affordable cost of living, amazing job opportunities and an endless list of fun things to do.
Read moreThe Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the availability of $1 million in grant funding to Pennsylvania small businesses and farmers for energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection projects through the Small Business Advantage grant program.
Read moreLocal leaders, elected officials and community members gathered to cut the ribbon on a new monument on the state Capitol grounds recognizing Harrisburg’s African American history.
Read moreIn times of crisis, there is something each one of us can do to work toward a solution. As individuals, we all have a role -whether it’s helping a neighbor in need, making a contribution to the local food pantry, or supporting and promoting your favorite small businesses.
Read moreThe COVID-19 pandemic has forced theaters around the world to shut their doors and face existential questions about the future. Theaters are asking how to safely reopen and how to responsibly welcome back audiences that may be wary of public gathering.
Read morePA Department of Community and Economic Development has opened the Neighborhood Assistance Program for 2020-2021. The application window is Wednesday, July 1, 2020 – Monday, August 31, 2020.
Read moreThe Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) is offering up to $15,000 in scholarships to CLGs in Pennsylvania to participate in the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions’ FORUM 2020 ~ At Home, August 3-9, 2020.
Read moreThe COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program provides grants to cultural organizations and museums that experienced a loss of revenue from the closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency by the Governor on March 6, 2020 published at 50 PA.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020), and any renewal of the state of disaster emergency.
Read moreJulie Fitzpatrick and Mary Tate were just featured as guest speakers on Practical Preservation Podcast, with hosts Danielle and Jonathan Keperling!
Read moreWASHINGTON – To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 today.
Read moreAttention all Main Street and Elm Street programs, and other community revitalization organizations and partners of community revitalization programs – Please contact your county commissioners to inform them of how your organization has been impacted by the current COVID-19 crisis!
Read moreHelping pennsylvania small businesses impacted by COVID-19. APPLICATION INFO COMING SOON
Read moreTo all Main Street and Elm Street programs, and other community revitalization organizations and partners of community revitalization programs – please distribute this information to your local businesses and encourage them to contact their local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI’s) and apply for this funding!
Read moreHarrisburg, PA — Governor Tom Wolf today announced a $225 million statewide grant program to support small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis and subsequent business closure order.
Read moreApplications will be accepted between 06/01/2020 and 07/31/2020. All applications and required supplemental information must be received by 5 pm on 07/31/2020
Read moreThe Community Development Block Grant – CARES (CDBG-CV) Application and Guidelines are available for review.
Read morePDC is offering complimentary remote community development advice and technical assistance statewide for COVID-19-related issues from now through June 30, 2020.
Read morePennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman today reminded businesses of the importance of complying with Governor Tom Wolf and Department of Health Secretary Rachel Levine’s orders – for counties in both the red and yellow phases.
Read moreDo you have questions about COVID-19 risks and spread in your community? Do you need to better understand where vulnerable populations live in order to ensure equitable responses? Get answers with our new public edition (BETA) COVID-19 Quick Maps with data ranging from trends in county level cases and deaths to neighborhood level estimates of underlying health condition.
Read moreSpecial Promotion: Spend $2/Get $2 - This month, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, SNAP participants can bring home more fresh produce: For every $2 you spend at our farmers markets using your EBT card, you'll get $2 in Food Bucks to use on more fruits and veggies!
Read moreUpdated Information on COVID-19 and Eviction Protections for Renters and Homeowners
Read moreThe SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT.
Read moreAs part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program Secretary Perdue announced on April 17 that the USDA is exercising authority under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to purchase and distribute up to $3 billion of agricultural products to those in need.
Read moreThe Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), has received notice of the award of the first allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant program funds appropriated under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) - ESG-CV funds.
Read moreGovernor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 841 today that helps local communities and businesses respond to the COVID-19 emergency and protect the public. The bill provides flexibility on property tax deadlines, allows remote public meetings and notarization of documents so online vehicle sales can resume.
Read moreMore than 60 percent of surveyed small businesses in Pennsylvania at risk of closure in five months
Read morePDC has been informed by our contacts at PA Small Business Development Centers that no one should need to pay for services to apply for SBA loans.
Read moreWe hope everyone is staying healthy and safe in this crazy mixed-up time. We understand that things are still changing, and we are all learning how to respond in the best way possible to be of assistance to our local businesses and non-profit partners.
Read moreFirst of all, our hope is that you and your families are safe and healthy, and that you continue to be so. As the situation evolves, we will make every attempt to respond appropriately. But, at the moment, we are closely monitoring the recommendations from the Governor’s Office, the PA Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control for regular updates.
Read moreEllen Ruby, left, executive director of Lewisburg (Pa.) Downtown Partnership, and Sam Thrush, president of Downtown Chambersburg (Pa.) Inc., display the certificates they earned for completing the Community Revitalization Academy at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s office in Harrisburg. The academy is a series of five, two-day workshops designed for first-year Main Street and Elm Street managers, as well as other revitalization professionals.
Read moreDowntown Camp Hill board of directors came together to fund the First Save Station to be installed in the State. The AED device is being installed on an outside wall at a downtown business.
Read moreGHP is seeking a qualified consultant to develop a Downtown Honesdale Revitalization Plan (DHRP). The project is funded through Local Share Account – Monroe County, Department of Community & Economic Development for the commercial district within the Borough of Honesdale, Wayne County.
Read moreHelp us discover 1,000 places where American women have left their mark.
Read moreCongratulations to PA's Bradford Main Street program for "Cookie Crawl" and to Downtown Carlisle for their "Love Local" campaign - two of the 16 Main Street programs to win in the National Main Street Champion Innovation Contest.
Read moreOfficials say it's an opportunity to showcase examples of community revitalization in the city and Berks County.
Read morePUNXSUTAWNEY — At a “vision update” meeting this week, Punxsutawney PRIDE showcased transformation sketches of what downtown could be with select improvements.
Read moreEBENSBURG – 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 moreOxford leaders see an entertainment venue as an important piece to the ongoing revitalization efforts.
Read moreWhen 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 morePennsylvania city aims to plow $150 million from mix of public, private sources to rebuild blighted downtown; ‘We might not have another chance’
Read moreYou 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 morePLYMOUTH — 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 moreThe 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 moreSharon 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 moreNew Manager Training scheduled for September 30 & October 1 has been cancelled.
Read moreThe 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 morePennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) recently presented ten (10) awards during the organization’s annual statewide Townie Awards gala.
Read morePennsylvania'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 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 moreRecorded 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 moreThe Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) announced the launch of Pennsylvania Creative Communities, a new initiative to support vibrant communities across the commonwealth.
Read morePA Downtown Center requests $15 Million for the Keystone Communities Program Line Item in the DCED budget, before supplemental appropriations.
Read moreDee Briggs was expecting to do a routine demolition when she bought the vacant house next to her art studio in Wilkinsburg, Pa.
Read moreThis 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 moreCongratulations to PDC's Assistant Director, Julie Fitzpatrick! In July 2019 Julie will transition into the Executive Director position.
Read moreHarrisburg, 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 moreThe “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 moreWe 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 moreWere you there? Are you here? Thank you Susquehanna Style for sharing in our celebration with style scene.
Read more“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 moreThe 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 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 more“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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