Chamber's Main Street Initiative Grants to be offered for the Fifth Time

You might be familiar with the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation - this is the 501c3 arm of The Chamber that seeks to raise and distribute money for projects related to urban revitalization.  We've done four previous grant rounds to physical improvement and planning project in urban cores in the Valley; now, with the help of our friends at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, we're set to offer our fifth round of funding!  Read below for more info:
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CHAMBER’S MAIN ST. INITIATIVE GRANTS TO BE OFFERED FOR THE FIFTH TIME

Allentown, PA – While State and federal budget discussions threaten the unprecedented elimination of numerous community grant programs, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC) has announced that it will be releasing a fifth round of its Main Street Lehigh Valley (MSLV) Community Improvement grants.

As the final projects from the fourth round of funding near completion, the GLVCC Foundation has announced that it is seeking new grant funding requests; $40,000 will be allocated to Lehigh Valley communities, in amounts not to exceed $2,000 per project.

President & CEO of the Chamber, Tony Iannelli said, “As the 9th largest Chamber in this nation we are focused on our commitment of ensuring that every main street in the Lehigh Valley is alive and well and economically vibrant”.

Projects funded include streetscape amenities such as banners, benches, tables, greening, and signs or promotional assistance in marketing downtown events. Proposals must speak to projects that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission: improving every main street in the Lehigh Valley through targeted investments in façade improvements, streetscape designs, sidewalk beautification and other enhancements to the physical appearance of our downtowns and urban centers.

Over the last few years’ $100,000 of MSLV funds will have leveraged over $2 million in community revitalization streetscape, planning, and promotional projects in seventeen different municipalities.

Applications and guidelines/procedures can be downloaded and printed at www.LehighValleyChamber.org/MainStreet or upon request: 610-739-1597. Applications are due no later than May 31, 2012.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation was established as a 501(c) 3 in Bethlehem, originally to raise funds for holiday decorations. Now that the Chamber has merged with thirteen regional partners, the Foundation has also grown to help all of its communities as part of its MSLV Initiative.  The Chamber’s charitable arm aims to use donations from the private sector and assistance from Lehigh and Northampton counties to directly fund community development projects in Lehigh Valley communities.

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