This is an interesting photo gallery/store about how one shop, started by residents, helped to save a vacant town in Powell, Wyoming. Yes, Wyoming.
Click here for the story.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Treevitalize
The Lehigh Valley has been selected as a pilot region for a new state program, Treevitalize.
The goal of the program is simple: plant 1,000,000 trees throughout Pennsylvania in the next five years. It will do this by giving grants to help municipalities pay for trees. There are a variety of components to this plan, including educational seminars and trainings, but the jist of it is that the state, in conjunction with Lehigh and Northampton County, wants to help bring greenery to the Lehigh Valley.
This is great news. Studies have demonstrated that trees can help enhance property values, reduce electric and gas bills and even improve business for a commercial district.
Interested municipalities will be expected to contribute some of the costs of planting these trees, but the good news here is that the public works department's work on planting and maintaining the trees can count towards that match.
More information on this project is available through Virginia Savage, Lehigh County Manager of Main Street Initiatives. Virginia can be reached at virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org.
This program is good for property values, commercial districts, community pride and the environment...so basically, you can't go wrong!
The goal of the program is simple: plant 1,000,000 trees throughout Pennsylvania in the next five years. It will do this by giving grants to help municipalities pay for trees. There are a variety of components to this plan, including educational seminars and trainings, but the jist of it is that the state, in conjunction with Lehigh and Northampton County, wants to help bring greenery to the Lehigh Valley.
This is great news. Studies have demonstrated that trees can help enhance property values, reduce electric and gas bills and even improve business for a commercial district.
Interested municipalities will be expected to contribute some of the costs of planting these trees, but the good news here is that the public works department's work on planting and maintaining the trees can count towards that match.
More information on this project is available through Virginia Savage, Lehigh County Manager of Main Street Initiatives. Virginia can be reached at virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org.
This program is good for property values, commercial districts, community pride and the environment...so basically, you can't go wrong!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Properties of Merit
Hi everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to talk about a great program for Main Street communities, Properties of Merit. PoM is based on the philosophy that well-kept properties will help encourage more well-kept properties. To summarize it briefly, Properties of Merit engages neighbors and volunteers to award properties that are kept in outstanding condition. The theory here is that it will encourage other properties to be well-kept as well - its basically the "broken window" theory in reverse. Awards are given by volunteers and ultimately given at a banquet reception.
This is a great program that is expanding by the month. It started in Allentown and has since grown to numerous localities across the Lehigh Valley and the entire Commonwealth. Other local communities involved include Bethlehem, Coplay and Northern Lehigh. It also just expanded into Catasauqua and Macungie, two BBRP communities.
We need as much help as possible to encourage communities to keep their properties in outstanding physical condition. Properties of Merit does just that, and I think that any community interested in pursuing this worthy goal should check out this program.
I wanted to take a moment to talk about a great program for Main Street communities, Properties of Merit. PoM is based on the philosophy that well-kept properties will help encourage more well-kept properties. To summarize it briefly, Properties of Merit engages neighbors and volunteers to award properties that are kept in outstanding condition. The theory here is that it will encourage other properties to be well-kept as well - its basically the "broken window" theory in reverse. Awards are given by volunteers and ultimately given at a banquet reception.
This is a great program that is expanding by the month. It started in Allentown and has since grown to numerous localities across the Lehigh Valley and the entire Commonwealth. Other local communities involved include Bethlehem, Coplay and Northern Lehigh. It also just expanded into Catasauqua and Macungie, two BBRP communities.
We need as much help as possible to encourage communities to keep their properties in outstanding physical condition. Properties of Merit does just that, and I think that any community interested in pursuing this worthy goal should check out this program.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Update on the 2008 Facade Program
Hi everyone,
Below is some information that will shortly be going out to all potential applicants in this year's Facade Program. I'm pleased to say that the program is actually moving faster than we originally anticipated this year.
As of this writing, Design Assistance is in progress. It should be completed by July 23. The renderings should be ready no later than two weeks from that date (August 6) and another two weeks will be needed for potential revisions. If you did not receive Design Assistance, then this section has no effect on you.
Regardless, we believe that we will be ready to mail out the formal application at some point in the beginning or middle of August. At that time, you will be asked to get two bids on any items that you are looking to complete for your property. Formal applications will be due somewhere around the beginning of October, with formal awards made no more than two weeks after that. Once you have received your formal notification, you will be ready to proceed with your project.
If your project requires warm weather and must wait until the Spring of 2009 to proceed, that is absolutely fine with this program. We understand the time constraints of contractors, and if it easier for you to wait until 2009 to begin your construction, that is allowed and will not affect your eligibility for the program or funding that you are awarded.
This is a tentative schedule; however, if anything changes in the future, we will inform you of the new calendar. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Below is some information that will shortly be going out to all potential applicants in this year's Facade Program. I'm pleased to say that the program is actually moving faster than we originally anticipated this year.
As of this writing, Design Assistance is in progress. It should be completed by July 23. The renderings should be ready no later than two weeks from that date (August 6) and another two weeks will be needed for potential revisions. If you did not receive Design Assistance, then this section has no effect on you.
Regardless, we believe that we will be ready to mail out the formal application at some point in the beginning or middle of August. At that time, you will be asked to get two bids on any items that you are looking to complete for your property. Formal applications will be due somewhere around the beginning of October, with formal awards made no more than two weeks after that. Once you have received your formal notification, you will be ready to proceed with your project.
If your project requires warm weather and must wait until the Spring of 2009 to proceed, that is absolutely fine with this program. We understand the time constraints of contractors, and if it easier for you to wait until 2009 to begin your construction, that is allowed and will not affect your eligibility for the program or funding that you are awarded.
This is a tentative schedule; however, if anything changes in the future, we will inform you of the new calendar. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Macungie Business Directory
Hi everyone,
In a project that has been completely spearheaded by volunteers, Macungie is nearing completion on a Business Directory. Here's the story:
http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-companynews0708.6493261jul08,0,793367.story
MACUNGIE DIRECTORY TO LIST BUSINESSES
The Macungie Business Revitalization Program is seeking to compile a business directory of every business in Macungie.''Macungie has a very large variety of retail and service shops, everything from gift basket and flower shops to hair salons and a bed and breakfast,'' said John Albright, a volunteer with the Macungie Business Revitalization Program.''We have over 100 businesses in our small community. We think that compiling a directory of those businesses and then publishing that directory will really help to promote Macungie as a whole.''
The directory will contain a variety of information on all businesses in Macungie, including contact information, a description of the business, payment methods accepted and an option for businesses to place a coupon in the guide.''The volunteers have worked very hard to complete this project,'' said Michael Schlossberg, Borough Business Revitalization coordinator. ''I have no doubt that this project will result in an increase in customers for Macungie businesses.'
'To be included in the directory, please contact Michael Schlossberg at 484-809-1796 or mikes@lehighvalleychamber.org. The deadline to be included is July 21.
In a project that has been completely spearheaded by volunteers, Macungie is nearing completion on a Business Directory. Here's the story:
http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-companynews0708.6493261jul08,0,793367.story
MACUNGIE DIRECTORY TO LIST BUSINESSES
The Macungie Business Revitalization Program is seeking to compile a business directory of every business in Macungie.''Macungie has a very large variety of retail and service shops, everything from gift basket and flower shops to hair salons and a bed and breakfast,'' said John Albright, a volunteer with the Macungie Business Revitalization Program.''We have over 100 businesses in our small community. We think that compiling a directory of those businesses and then publishing that directory will really help to promote Macungie as a whole.''
The directory will contain a variety of information on all businesses in Macungie, including contact information, a description of the business, payment methods accepted and an option for businesses to place a coupon in the guide.''The volunteers have worked very hard to complete this project,'' said Michael Schlossberg, Borough Business Revitalization coordinator. ''I have no doubt that this project will result in an increase in customers for Macungie businesses.'
'To be included in the directory, please contact Michael Schlossberg at 484-809-1796 or mikes@lehighvalleychamber.org. The deadline to be included is July 21.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Regional Advisory Council
Hi everyone,
I have a message below from Virginia Savage, Manager of Main Street Initatives at Lehigh County. She has information on an important regional upcoming meeting. See the E-mail below for details!
--------------------
Hello Friends,
On behalf of the Borough Business Revitalization Program, I would like to invite you to join our Regional Advisory Council for the Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) and Lehigh Valley’s Main and Elm Street Programs.
With this Council, we hope to work together on projects that will benefit all of the Valley’s Main Street and Elm Street programs while offering you the opportunity to also network with your peers to share ideas and experiences.
Our first meeting will be held Thursday, July 17 from 6:30-8:00p.m. at Northampton Area Community College’s Southside Campus (Fowler Family Center) on 511 East Third Avenue, Room 605.
The agenda thus far will include:
1) Objective for Council and your thoughts
2) Update on the BBRP program extension
3) Chamber Foundation
4) Treevitalize-FYI, DCNR selected the Lehigh Valley as a pilot region and we have the opportunity to request up to $200,000 for tree planting. Come out and here how we can work together to plant trees in the Lehigh Valley
5) Potential projects
6) Façade program update
7) Report from Sara Hailstone, DCED
8) Future meeting dates
A light dinner (sandwiches and/or pizza) will be served.
We look forward to seeing you and sharing ideas!
Kindly RSVP to me by Monday, July 14 so that we may plan accordingly.
Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!
Virginia M. Savage
virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org
Manager of Main Street Initiatives
County of Lehigh
Government Center
17 South Seventh St.
Room 519
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-782-3809
Mobile: 484-764-8085
Fax: 610-820-8257
I have a message below from Virginia Savage, Manager of Main Street Initatives at Lehigh County. She has information on an important regional upcoming meeting. See the E-mail below for details!
--------------------
Hello Friends,
On behalf of the Borough Business Revitalization Program, I would like to invite you to join our Regional Advisory Council for the Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) and Lehigh Valley’s Main and Elm Street Programs.
With this Council, we hope to work together on projects that will benefit all of the Valley’s Main Street and Elm Street programs while offering you the opportunity to also network with your peers to share ideas and experiences.
Our first meeting will be held Thursday, July 17 from 6:30-8:00p.m. at Northampton Area Community College’s Southside Campus (Fowler Family Center) on 511 East Third Avenue, Room 605.
The agenda thus far will include:
1) Objective for Council and your thoughts
2) Update on the BBRP program extension
3) Chamber Foundation
4) Treevitalize-FYI, DCNR selected the Lehigh Valley as a pilot region and we have the opportunity to request up to $200,000 for tree planting. Come out and here how we can work together to plant trees in the Lehigh Valley
5) Potential projects
6) Façade program update
7) Report from Sara Hailstone, DCED
8) Future meeting dates
A light dinner (sandwiches and/or pizza) will be served.
We look forward to seeing you and sharing ideas!
Kindly RSVP to me by Monday, July 14 so that we may plan accordingly.
Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!
Virginia M. Savage
virginiasavage@lehighcounty.org
Manager of Main Street Initiatives
County of Lehigh
Government Center
17 South Seventh St.
Room 519
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: 610-782-3809
Mobile: 484-764-8085
Fax: 610-820-8257
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