Property and business owners in downtown State College will soon have the chance to access new funding aimed at improving appearances of commercial buildings and storefronts.
The Downtown State College Improvement District has received an $80,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to support facade improvement projects throughout the district.
The funding will be distributed through a competitive grant program that offers up to $5,000 per project for eligible exterior building improvements. Applications must provide a dollar-for-dollar match to receive funding.
According to DSCID, the program is designed to encourage reinvestment in downtown properties while helping improve the appearance of commercial buildings and public-facing spaces.
Eligible projects include storefront upgrades, exterior renovations and signage improvements as well as other facade enhancements. To qualify, projects must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown State College Improvement District.
DSCID executive director Lee Anne Jeffries said the funding will help property and business owners make improvements that benefit both individual buildings and the broader downtown business community.
“We are excited to bring these resources to our downtown community,” Jeffries said in a statement. “Investing in the appearance and maintenance of our buildings not only benefits individual property and business owners but also strengthens the overall appeal and economic vitality of downtown State College.”
DSCID has distributed information about the program to downtown property owners, including eligibility requirements, program guidelines and application materials.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee and evaluated based on factors such as project readiness, anticipated impact and how well the proposed work aligns with the program’s goals. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis until funding is exhausted.
