The Wilson Borough Business Revitalization Program is rolling out the Design Challenge Façade Grant Program to enhance and improve buildings in their community and is inviting property owners and business owners to attend a free public workshop on Thursday, March 1, 2007 @ 6:30 PM in the Strausser Community Center, Wilson PA (Next to Meuser Park). During this workshop, attendees will be educated on the importance of improving the appearance of their properties and will also be given a thorough explanation of the program and its guidelines.

The Borough Business Revitalization Program will offer Design Challenge Grants for façade improvements in the Borough of Wilson up to a maximum amount of $5,000 per property within the designated Project Area. The Wilson Borough Project Area is as follows:

• Washington St./Blvd. - 15th St. to 19th St.
• Butler St. - 15th St. to 19th St.
• 17th - Washington St. to Butler St.
• 18th - Washington St. to Butler St.

These grants are intended to stimulate private investment in the preservation of historic downtown architecture and to foster image-making improvements to properties. According to Borough Council President Leonard Feinberg, "This grant program will enable Wilson Businesses and Property Owners to help make a real difference in revitalizing our Borough. I encourage everyone who is able to take advantage of this great opportunity."

The Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) is the product of a partnership between Lehigh and Northampton Counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce "(We) are excited to be partners in this program.  The opportunity to strengthen our Downtowns and Main Streets through façade improvements will go a long way in helping to revitalize our urban cores," said Tony Iannelli, President and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.  

The BBRP provides economic development services to the Lehigh Valley's small towns by using proven models to strengthen their economic climates and mobilizes volunteers and partners in the public and private sectors to target investment and development into the Lehigh Valley's smaller urban cores and central business districts.   Northampton County Executive John Stoffa stated, "This is an exciting program that will keep our downtown small communities alive. It is a perfect demonstration of what can be accomplished when people work together." 

The BBRP is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the nine participating communities: Wilson, Bangor, Bath, Hellertown, and North Catasauqua in Northampton County and Alburtis, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, and Macungie in Lehigh County.

Funding for the Design Challenge Façade Grant Program includes a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Pennsylvania New Communities Program as well as contributions from Sovereign Bank, Industrial Development Authority of Northampton County, General Purpose Authority of Northampton County and Lehigh County's Department of Community and Economic Development.  Grants will be made in accordance with the Borough Business Revitalization Program's Design Challenge Grant Policies and Procedures and are in conformance with all applicable state and local requirements.