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STATE COLLEGE -- Sixteen downtown State College businesses and properties will receive funding for façade improvements through a state-supported grant program, the Downtown State College Improvement District announced.
The projects are being supported through the district's Main Street Matters Façade Improvement Grant Program, which received an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible projects and require a 1-to-1 match from recipients. Combined public and private spending on the projects is expected to total $114,340.
The businesses and properties selected for 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
"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."
The Main Street Matters program is designed to encourage investment in downtowns and commercial districts, support local businesses and improve the appearance and economic vitality of communities.
The improvement district plans to offer another façade grant opportunity next year. The next round will be more competitive and will allow additional projects within the district to seek remaining state funding.
"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."