Harrisburg–The Corbett administration today announced that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has awarded an $183,422 Keystone Communities grant to Wyalusing Borough to support street improvements in the downtown area.
“I am pleased to support public improvement projects that enhance safety and improve the quality of local economic development,” DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker said. “The improvements that Wyalusing has planned will attract visitors and bring new businesses to the downtown area.”
The Keystone Communities grant will provide funding to undertake improvements on Main Street in the downtown area. Main Street improvements will include the replacement of deteriorating sidewalks, improvement of American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements, and improvement of access to street level businesses and upper floor apartments. In addition, existing lighting will be replaced in conjunction with any deteriorating underground conduits.
“Wyalusing Borough has a strong commitment to seeing their community develop in a sustainable way that promotes a strong and growing downtown,” said Rachel Hauser, Economic Development Program Manager, Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. “This grant is a critical step for this community in revitalizing their downtown and bringing consumers, visitors and residents to experience Wyalusing.”
“I applaud DCED and Wyalusing Borough for making this investment and working together to improve the community,” State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) said. “A thriving Main Street is something that every community across Pennsylvania wants to see, and can serve as the anchor that holds a community together. Undoubtedly, these revitalization efforts represent the kind of progress that will enhance the attractiveness of Wyalusing and Bradford County as a place to live and do business.”
“We’ve known for quite some time that Wyalusing is one of Bradford County’s premier small towns, and with so much potential in their future, community leaders are wise to seek out this matching grant,” State Representative Tina Pickett (R-110) said. “These timely improvements will both make the downtown area safer while enhancing the quality of life for residents and giving a boost to the downtown business district so that the entire town can continue to grow and succeed.”
The Keystone Communities program was created in 2011 to assist commonwealth communities in achieving redevelopment. The program supports physical improvements to both designated and other communities that are undertaking revitalization to restore deteriorated downtowns, residential neighborhoods and industrial/manufacturing sites.
For more information about the Keystone Communities program and other community development initiatives, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
Media contacts:
Steve Kratz, DCED, 717-783-1132