GOVERNOR RENDELL SIGNS ELM STREET BILL
Pre-Application Meeting Set for March 8, 2004

Neighborhoods near commercial districts across Pennsylvania will be eligible for funding for reinvestment and development under legislation signed recenty by Governor Edward G. Rendell.

The New Communities-Elm Street legislation, which allocates $5 million for Fiscal Year 2003-04 and $7 million for Fiscal Year 2004-05, is one of several pieces of Governor Rendell's economic-stimulus program recently passed by the General Assembly. Overall, the program would invest $2 billion to generate at least $6 billion in private economic activity, helping jump start Pennsylvania's economy and making the Commonwealth a more attractive place for businesses and families to locate.

"The Elm Street program will do for neighborhoods what the Main Street program has done for downtown business corridors," Governor Rendell said during a ceremonial bill signing in Easton with Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Yablonsky. "Elm Street will clean up streetscapes, restore building facades and allow for communities to integrate a downtown revitalization program with a neighborhood renewal strategy. Commercial districts are vital to downtown areas and cannot succeed when surrounded by decaying residential areas and neighborhoods."

The Elm Street program will help launch neighborhood revitalization efforts. As much as $225,000 will be available for administrative costs, such as hiring a full-time manager for each project. A minimum 10 percent local match in funds is also required through public and private contributions. The five-year program allows project managers to concentrate on the creation and management of these efforts, giving each community the opportunity for growth and development.

Local municipalities and redevelopment authorities and in some cases, non-profit Main Street and economic development organizations, as well as Neighborhood and Business Improvement Districts are eligible to apply for the Elm Street program. DCED will offer technical assistance and training to help guide Elm Street revitalization efforts. There will be training at an annual statewide conference, as well as periodic workshops sponsored through local government associations and other groups throughout the state.

"It is crucial that DCED provide Elm Street grants for planning, technical assistance and physical improvements," Secretary Yablonsky said. "By providing these resources, municipalities will be able to implement a revitalization strategy for residential neighborhoods that will complement existing Main Street projects and commercial districts."

The Elm Street project will consist of five, clearly delineated focal points: organization; promotion; design; clean, green and safe activities; and neighborhood restructuring.

For more information on the "Elm Street" Program, please visit the Department of Community and Economic Development Web site at www.inventpa.com.

Elm Street Program
Pre-application Meeting

Monday, March 8, 2004
1:00 p.m.
The State Museum – Auditorium
300 North Street
Harrisburg, PA

Any community or organization interested in information for the Elm Street Program should attend this meeting. Seating is limited, so please reserve your seat now. Contact Amy Lucas at amylucas@padowntown.org or call 717-233-4675.

The Elm Street Guidelines are now available on line at:

http://www.inventpa.com/docs/Document/application/pdf/21cc4b9d-69d6-43f7-9a06-7806563d6a4c/the_elm_street_program_2-9-2004.pdf