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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Robert Freeman |
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Freeman introduces bill to extend Main Street Program participation
Easton could benefit from legislation
HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 – State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would allow communities such as Easton to extend their participation in the Main Street Program by up to an additional five years to help ensure the success of the communities' overall downtown revitalization.
Easton is one of a limited number of communities that participate in the Main Street Program, a program funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program provides grants to help revitalize downtown business districts and for the assistance of a full-time Main Street manager who works with local officials and downtown merchants to implement a revitalization plan for the downtown.
"Unfortunately, we have seen in numerous cases that the current five-year time frame to turn around a traditional downtown is often too short," Freeman said. "A community just begins to see the progress brought on by Main Street initiatives only to see the plug pulled prematurely, often causing revitalization momentum and success to suffer. By allowing participating communities to continue in the program for up to an additional five years, we can ensure their success in achieving Main Street revitalization goals."
In Easton, the local Main Street office has worked to promote Easton's Centre Square Farmers Market, to improve the cleanliness and safety of downtown, and has promoted greater awareness of downtown businesses. Easton's participation in the Main Street Program has reached the end of its five-year state commitment, although locally Easton continues to operate a Main Street office.
"Without continued state participation and funding, it makes it more difficult for the local Main Street entity to achieve many of their objectives," Freeman noted. "An additional year or two can make all the difference in restoring a traditional downtown into a stable and successful heart of the community."
Freeman said that under the bill (H.B. 295), communities seeking an extension for participation in the program would have to get approval from DCED.
Under current law, funding is provided for the Main Street manager and initiatives in a five-year matching step-down process where the state’s share is greater in the first year of participation and is reduced each year thereafter.
Freeman said the idea for the reduced funding in subsequent years is the belief that the progress made in revitalizing the downtown over the five-year period will enable locals to keep it going on their own after state funding ends.
The bill has been referred to the House Local Government Committee, of which Freeman chairs, for review.
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