After years of hard work, Ellwood City residents and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the Ellwood City Community Plaza and Farmers' Market The major project will feature a beautiful series of waterfalls, performance stage and gathering place that will make downtown a destination for shoppers and visitors and bolster the city's economy. Construction is scheduled to be complete in time for holiday performances in December 2012.

Rep. Gibbons secured $1.15 million in state funding for the Ellwood City Revitalization project. Already crews have prepared the site's western wall, which will be the focal point of the plaza with water cascading from new windows into flower boxes below in the plaza.

Other features designed to attract people downtown include a 40-by-40-foot outdoor stage that can be aligned toward the Beaver Street parking lot, where there will be space for 2,000 people. The plaza will have seating for 200 to 250 people.

The grants will help fund the project including such work as paving and storm water management improvements, utility installation, making the area ADA accessible, and completing the necessary landscaping and signage.

Ellwood City Farmers’ Market improvements

The farmers' market along the Beaver Avenue parking lot will be made more pedestrian friendly with new landscaping, proper sidewalks and a comfort station. Hundreds of people shop at the market every Saturday and these improvements should make it even more successful.

State Grants Critical to Project

The state is committed to helping Ellwood City revitalize its downtown by committing three grants totaling $1.15 million for the project.

$350,000 DCNR grant

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Community Conservation Partnerships Program is providing a $350,000 grant. CCPP grants are designed to provide financial and technical assistance to local communities and organizations for the planning, acquisition and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenways projects.

$300,000 DCED grant

The Department of Community and Economic Development provided a $300,000 grant through the Housing & Redevelopment Assistance program. It helps communities become more competitive for business retention, expansion and attraction.

$500,000 RCAP grant

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program is providing a $500,000 grant. The competitive grants administered through the Governor's Office on the Budget must be matched by private and non-state funds.