Main Street Initiatives - September Connections Article

On every Main Street. These are more than just words to us, they represent who we are and what we do,  as proven by our most recent round of Main Street Lehigh Valley (MSLV) grant projects:

Our four cities are the hub of the Lehigh Valley, and by funding projects in their neighborhoods we are making a difference one small project at a time - projects that encourage community bonding or tourism - many achieve both. Grants were awarded in the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Phillipsburg to civic groups for events with tourism appeal  and accompanying site furnishings at event locations; downtown cleanliness and sidewalk flower bed plantings; way-finding, identity, and historic house signage; alleyway string lighting; holiday décor; and a restaurant guide.

Alburtis is touting their history, their story, by applying for National Historic District designation, and the Foundation is helping them on this path by helping to fund a professional architectural property inventory. Thousands of people attend the Walnutport Canal Festival, an educational celebration of history and heritage; we are now a contributor towards this tradition. We are part of preserving this history.

Coopersburg and Bath previously received MSLV money to fund aesthetic enhancements in their towns. Coopersburg is replacing decade old street banners and Bath is  pursuing the purchase of 3 illuminated American flags in the downtown. Coplay is eagerly anticipating both welcome signs and pole banners this year. A series of eight signs will be installed along Fogelsville’s business corridor to create identity and consistency in a rapidly expanding area. We are part of these high quality visual enhancements, where a little change goes a long way.

We are thrilled to support billboard advertising for Nazareth area library’s “touch a truck” event, a family friendly and educational opportunity for kids that is also  a fundraiser for the library. Emmaus needs financial support in marketing their businesses, as does Forks Township and the Foundation is stepping in to help.

Hellertown benefitted from MSLV funds last year to help construct the band-shell at Dimmick Park. This year, they are investing in the restoration of an historic fountain at Authority Park.

Slatington is pursuing the finishing touches on their Memorial Park, established in 2010.

Northampton plans to purchase a gazebo to be their centerpiece for a new park uptown that will be built on a borough vacant lot. We are part of this enhancement and maintenance of recreational assets.

Bangor Heritage Mural number two is in the works – a follow up to the renowned first mural featuring real people and real places. Catasauqua is following in the success of Bangor – with the installation of their own community-driven mural. Pen Argyl is promoting last year’s MSLV project with a film on their Wisdom Walk: an inspiring, painted sidewalk trail through the business district. We are part of learning and being healthy through art.

Macungie created a $50,000 Streetscape Plan several years ago and they are now ready to take it to the next level; but first, they need a re-evaluation of the proposed improvements. Fountain Hill is making updates to a decade old plan for Stanley Avenue recreation area, which will bring the plan from to completion. The chamber is part of this project for which improves quality of life.

We ARE on every Main Street and these projects are our legacy – join us in making Main Street Lehigh Valley great. 

Anne Baum, Capital BlueCross

Chair, The Chamber Foundation

Buddy Lesavoy, Lesavoy Butz & Seitz, LLC, Co Chair

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The Bangor Heritage Mural Is Complete

This article appeared in the October issue of our monthly Connections publication, written by Anne Baum, Chair of the Chamber Foundation.

The Bangor Heritage Mural (funded in part by a grant from Main Street Lehigh Valley) is complete. 

Bangor Borough and the Bangor Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) partnered with Totts GapArts Institute (TGAI) and Todd Miller, owner of the Bangor Trust Building, to produce a Heritage Mural, on the Trust Building in the heart of our historic downtown business district. The mural was painted by student artists under the direction of James Gloria, art director at Totts Gap. The painting itself was an attraction, with people of all ages stopping by to watch the progress. Long time Bangor residents brought photos and stories of their ancestors who lived and worked in Bangor in the era depicted in the mural.  Most of the people in the mural were real folks who helped build Bangor. View photos of the Bangor Mural here.

Completion of the mural fulfills several strategic objectives in the BBRP-led Bangor Community Visioning Plan, adopted in 2009 and partially funded by an earlier grant from Main Street Lehigh Valley. Among those objectives are:

• Promotion and preservation of Bangor Heritage

• Highlight local art and artists

• Provide educational opportunity for the community

• Be a focal point for the proposed Bangor Historic District, to attract tourists and new investors

Execution of the mural involved no public or borough dollars. The MSLV grant stimulated so many donations in the form of financial assistance, in-kind professional services and volunteer labor. A local business owner donated the printing costs for high quality posters of the mural. We intend to sell the posters to raise funds for our next Bangor mural.

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The Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation

One of the best things that we do at this Chamber is run our Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation.  I'd call it our best kept secret, since many are familiar with the programs that it actually operates but not the Foundation itself, and this is absolutely something worth talking about.

The Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation is a foundation that seeks to raise money to be reinvested in programs and physical improvements in the urban core of the Lehigh Valley.  It raises the money from private and public partners, of which there are several.

The Foundation itself runs a grant program and two Main Street programs:

Community Improvement Grants (CIG):  Operating on a bi-annual basis, the CIG program provides matching grants of up to $2,000 for streetscape improvement, events, urban planning and promotional efforts.  A 50% match is required, ensuring that a grant recipient has multiple partners committed to the success of a project.  To date, 101 grants have been awarded, totaling more than $192,000 in funding that has leveraged an additional $4,300,000 in other funding.  For more information on the grants awarded, see the attached document.  We just made our 5th grant awards and will announce those shortly.

Borough Business Revitalization Program:  The Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) is a regional Main Street program that seeks to revitalize the downtowns of the seven participating Boroughs (Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua Coopersburg, Hellertown and Pen Argyl).   This is a bottom-up program whereby volunteers, elected officials, business and property owners work together to outline the goals of their program and execute projects that fit the need of each participating community.  The coordinator provides technical support, access to resources, and helps to coordinate the volunteer efforts and assist municipal staff.  The program specifically works in five areas:
• Improving the physical appearance of each downtown.
• Recruiting more businesses while assisting already existing ones.
• Promoting each community as a great place to live, work and play.
• Ensuring that each community is safe, clean and green.
• Creating a sustainable board that can manage the program years into the future.

Hamilton District Main Street Program (HDMSP):  The HDMSP operates in downtown Allentown, from 5th to 12th street, Walnut to Linden Streets.  The HDMSP seeks to revitalize downtown Allentown and concentrates specifically in the areas of Marketing, Asset Development, Design, Safe, Clean & Green and Organizational Development.  Like the BBRP, the HDMSP consists of volunteers, elected officials and local business and property owners that are working towards the revitalization of downtown Allentown.

Check out the video below for more info on the Foundation:



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Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation announces fifth grant round selections

As we've discussed earlier, the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation seeks to revitalize the main streets and downtowns of the Lehigh Valley.  We do this through a variety of programs and funding opportunities.

We are pleased to announce that a fifth round of grants has been released.  Information on the recipients of the grants is below.  This brings the total of grants funded by the MSLV Foundation to over $190,000 - something that we are very proud to do.
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CHAMBER’S MAIN STREET GRANTS POUR $50,000 TO SUPPORT 

$2 MILLION IN PROJECTS - ON TO EVERY MAIN STREET!

Lehigh Valley, PA – Main Street Lehigh Valley, The Chamber’s Foundation has released its fifth round of grants totaling $50,000 that will impact 29 projects on Main Streets throughout the Lehigh Valley.  From Allentown to Nazareth and from Hellertown to Philipsburg, this unique program funds projects including security cameras, bicycle parking, promotions and streetscape plans. The program will help shore up $2 million for projects across the Valley.

These community revitalization grants are provided in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. This year, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce was able to provide an additional $10,000 to make even more Main Streets projects  a reality.  The grant program is administered through Main Street Lehigh Valley, the Chamber’s charitable arm. Forty-two applications were received this year.

“These grants are the key to revitalizing our Main Streets to make them attractive places to do business, visit, live and play,” said Ann Baum, Chair of the Foundation.

Other projects funded include banners, benches, tables, greening, events and safe, clean and green initiatives. Proposals must address 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.

“When we say we are On Every Main Street - we mean it – not just cheerleaders, but as an organization that delivers much needed dollars to each of our communities,” said Chamber President & CEO Tony Iannelli.

In the first four rounds the grants have helped to fund $2 million in community revitalization projects in 18 municipalities across the Lehigh Valley.  The Main Street Lehigh Valley grant guidelines require that half of the cost of the projects be funded by other community partners to promote public and private investment in Lehigh Valley downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods.

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Copy of Round 5 - Allocations Final
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The Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation

One of the best things that we do at this Chamber is run our Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation.  I'd call it our best kept secret, since many are familiar with the programs that it actually operates but not the Foundation itself, and this is absolutely something worth talking about.

The Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation is a foundation that seeks to raise money to be reinvested in programs and physical improvements in the urban core of the Lehigh Valley.  It raises the money from private and public partners, of which there are several.

The Foundation itself runs a grant program and two Main Street programs:

Community Improvement Grants (CIG):  Operating on a bi-annual basis, the CIG program provides matching grants of up to $2,000 for streetscape improvement, events, urban planning and promotional efforts.  A 50% match is required, ensuring that a grant recipient has multiple partners committed to the success of a project.  To date, 101 grants have been awarded, totaling more than $192,000 in funding that has leveraged an additional $4,300,000 in other funding.  For more information on the grants awarded, see the attached document.  We just made our 5th grant awards and will announce those shortly.

Borough Business Revitalization Program:  The Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) is a regional Main Street program that seeks to revitalize the downtowns of the seven participating Boroughs (Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua Coopersburg, Hellertown and Pen Argyl).   This is a bottom-up program whereby volunteers, elected officials, business and property owners work together to outline the goals of their program and execute projects that fit the need of each participating community.  The coordinator provides technical support, access to resources, and helps to coordinate the volunteer efforts and assist municipal staff.  The program specifically works in five areas:
• Improving the physical appearance of each downtown.
• Recruiting more businesses while assisting already existing ones.
• Promoting each community as a great place to live, work and play.
• Ensuring that each community is safe, clean and green.
• Creating a sustainable board that can manage the program years into the future.

Hamilton District Main Street Program (HDMSP):  The HDMSP operates in downtown Allentown, from 5th to 12th street, Walnut to Linden Streets.  The HDMSP seeks to revitalize downtown Allentown and concentrates specifically in the areas of Marketing, Asset Development, Design, Safe, Clean & Green and Organizational Development.  Like the BBRP, the HDMSP consists of volunteers, elected officials and local business and property owners that are working towards the revitalization of downtown Allentown.

Check out the video below for more info on the Foundation:


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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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The latest from Main Street Lehigh Valley

At The Chamber, we like to say that we are On Every Main Street.  This means that we have staff on virtually every Main Street in the Valley and work to improve these core communities.  This also involves our work through the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation, which seeks to raise money and then distribute it to the Valley's urban communities for a variety of projects.  In today's Connections article, Anne Baum, Chairwoman of the MSLV Foundation, discusses their latest initiatives and projects.
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- Anne Baum – Capital BlueCross
The Chamber Foundation Chair
Main: (610) 820-2700 • anne.baum@capbluecross.com

Both public and private partnerships are the key to downtown corridor revitalization efforts. Historically, our Main Street community development programs have received funding and support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and local governments. We have been able to leverage these public funds into additional support through foundations like Main Street Lehigh Valley, investments from business owners and corporate donations.

Private sector support is crucial to the long term sustainability of our programs. As governments at all levels slash their budgets, it is essential that we strengthen our existing partnerships with the business community and forge relationships with potential new partners. Corporate and private donations have already helped to fund many projects in the Lehigh Valley including: holiday and seasonal festivals; promotion and operation of local farmers markets; restaurant and retail guides; public art installations; community clean-ups; events; and
façade improvement programs. Donations also support the cost for individual communities to participate in the Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP).

Together, we are succeeding in building our communities and creating excellent environments in which businesses and the community grow and thrive together. These partnerships prove that what’s good for the community is good for business. And that strong communities attract strong businesses.

Join us! Invest in your community. The Main Street Lehigh Valley Project accepts tax-deductible donations in support of our programs. Visit us at www.lehighvalleychamber.org/MainStreet for more information.

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