Did you know that effective Main Street Programs across the state of Pennsylvania have generated over $528.3 million in new investments since 2005? As a result, communities have experienced significant growth including 3,400 new businesses and over 6,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Private building investments totaled $305 million, which has restored the face of downtowns, enhanced community pride and encouraged both tourism and local economic development.
These are astounding numbers considering all main street programs are volunteer based driven, with only having an acting Main Street Manager as staff. Last year in Clearfield alone, the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, (CRC) had over 1200 volunteer hours towards the Main Street Program. Given the State of PA Volunteer Rate of $19.61/hour, downtown Clearfield had an in-kind investment of over $24,000 in 2009 towards revitalization projects.
These volunteer hours were put into a plethora of events the CRC completed within its first year of being active, such as:
- Developed and implemented Clearfield’s first ever Facade Improvement Program with guidelines for historical preservation and restoration and offers Facade Improvement Grants.
- Supplied downtown eateries with outdoor seating to help boost traffic into downtown and appeal to the community with more outdoor options.
- Organized the peer-to-peer Golden Broom Award to businesses who establishments demonstrate a high level of storefront cleanliness and “green” appearance.
- Decorated the downtown with cornstalks during the fall season giving it a warm, seasonal appearance.
- Showcased and supported downtown businesses in the Fair and Christmas parades.
- Surveyed customers during “March Madness” to outline needs and wants of our community.
- Rallied the community into downtown and retail businesses for the “Amazing Race: Downtown Clearfield Challenge” during the Riverfront Festival.
- Organized and implemented the First Annual “Anything that Floats” Boat Regatta which utilized the river, one of Clearfield’s biggest assets.
- Created and completed a market assessment of the Main Street District with a Downtown Inventory, that outlines the current business mix and available vacant spaces for new businesses.
- Produced “A Guide to Opening A Business in Downtown Clearfield’s Main Street District.” This is a valuable step-by-step resource guide for new business owners, making Clearfield more marketable for new businesses into downtown.
All of these activities help steer Clearfield on a better path towards revitalization. Without the CRC implementing the Main Street Program, naturally, these events would not have occurred. The Main Street Program is a community driven initiative that focuses on identifying new options, strengthening the existing economic base, enhancing the appearance of the downtown and preserving historical properties. Since Main Street Programs are community-based, they depend on the financial support from individuals and businesses to do the work of growing, preserving, protecting and restoring Clearfield’s downtown for future generations to enjoy. The Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, (CRC) has developed a Partnership Program in effort for stability that outlines the values that you receive directly and indirectly over time from revitalization. If you support revitalization efforts in downtown Clearfield and are interested in becoming a Partner of the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation, (CRC), please contact the CRC office located in downtown Clearfield.
(Data information taken from The PA Downtown Center: padowntown.org)