HONESDALE, PA — As part of the Downtown Honesdale Revitalization Plan, Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) applied for and received a Keystone Communities Program Façade Grant. Façade grants are available through the Department of Community and Economic Development to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds are for primary street-facing, exterior building improvements in a defined target area of downtown, such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc. General requirements are that each façade improvement may not exceed $5,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar match. Façade funding cannot be on outbuildings on a property, interior work, landscaping and general site improvements to sidewalks and paved areas.

Interested parties are invited to review the façade grant application on Wednesday, August 4, at 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber of the Northern Poconos Community Room 32 Commercial St. GHP’s 11-member Design Committee will be responsible for reviewing and recommending the grant applications to the GHP Board of Directors.

The board will have the final vote on all applications received.

GHP’s consultants, Derck & Edson, completed the Downtown Honesdale Revitalization Plan in February 2021. In addition to façade improvements, updating infrastructure, sidewalks, electric poles and crosswalks will create a safer pedestrian environment improving the quality of life for everyone who shops, dines, visits and resides in Honesdale. These are not the only improvements to increase revenue in the Honesdale Borough; with the addition of a parking garage, zoning restrictions will allow building owners to renovate their upper apartments.

Most of the revitalization funding will come through federal, state and local grants. GHP is accepting other tax-deductible contributions through www.WayneFoundation.org.