PA Route 6 Façade Program in Lackawanna County a Success
On July 23, the PA Route 6 Alliance hosted a special check presentation celebration in Carbondale to recognize the recipients of the PA Route 6 Façade Program in Lackawanna County. The event marked a significant milestone in the program’s success, with 27 projects across the county receiving $100,000 in grant funding toward a total project investment of over $242,000 in façade improvements to enhance the exterior of their buildings. Representatives from the PA Route 6 Alliance were joined by Lackawanna County businesses, legislators, commissioners, committee members, county planners, and representatives from partnering organizations including the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National State Heritage Area, NeighborWorks, and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
During the event one of the grant recipients, Lisa Farrell, Waverly General Store owner, said, “I’m incredibly thankful for the support from the PA Route 6 Façade Program. Without the grant funding, I wouldn’t have been able to take on the improvements to our historic building. I truly appreciate how this program made it possible to preserve the character of our storefront and invest in the future of our small-town business.”
This initiative, aimed at enhancing the visual appeal and economic vitality of small towns along the historic Route 6 Heritage Corridor, was made possible through a $100,000 Keystone Communities Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Additional support came from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), matching contributions from local businesses and organizations, and the collaborative efforts of community partners.
“The Shapiro Administration is thrilled to support the PA Route 6 Alliance in its efforts to make the Route 6 Heritage Corridor an even more inviting place to live, work, and visit,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Since day one, Governor Shapiro has been committed to giving the communities the tools they need to reach their full potential. Partnering with community organizations and our fellow agencies to improve quality of life is more essential than ever as the Commonwealth works to attract new businesses, spur economic development, and support small businesses across Pennsylvania.”
The success of the Lackawanna County Façade Program is the result of strong partnerships among the PA Route 6 Alliance, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, the Lackawanna County Planning Commission, the Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, and NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Following public information sessions in February 2023, eligible businesses and organizations were invited to apply for matching grants of up to $5,000 for façade renovations.
All funded projects utilized local contractors and suppliers, ensuring that the economic benefits of the program extend beyond the grant recipients to the broader community. The Alliance also hopes that businesses who were not awarded funding will still be inspired to move forward with their own façade improvements.
“When conducting a countywide program, partnerships are extremely important,” said Candace Hillyard, Executive Director of the PA Route 6 Alliance. “We were very fortunate to collaborate with outstanding partners who helped spread the word, host the public meetings, and participate in the selection process. Additionally, the program provided a great opportunity for businesses to access even more funding, such as the $148,000 awarded by the Lackawanna County Planning through their Business Improvement Grants.”
“We were delighted to partner with the PA Route 6 Alliance in offering this façade program,” added Owen Worozbyt, Director of Operations for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area. “By improving their storefronts, business owners attract more customers while preserving the historic and cultural character of our communities.”
The Lackawanna County initiative marks the fourth façade program facilitated by the Alliance. Previous programs in the PA Wilds, Endless Mountains, and Great Lakes regions have collectively supported 138 businesses, generating more than $1.355 million in total economic impact across the 11-county Route 6 Heritage Corridor.
For more information about the program or to see the complete list of award recipients, visit the PA Route 6 Alliance website at www.paroute6.com/pa-route-6-facade-program-in-lackawanna-county or contact the Alliance at info@paroute6.com or 814-435-7706.
The PA Route 6 Alliance, a 501(c3) corporation, was established in 2003 to manage the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor and to implement branding and marketing plans, community development programs and other planning efforts along the corridor. The Alliance includes representatives from all 11 counties, 9 convention and visitor bureaus, 4 heritage areas, local development districts, local business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties along the corridor.
The PA Route 6 Heritage Communities program is a program of PA Route 6 Alliance and PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor funded by the PA Heritage Area Program under the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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