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BELLEFONTE -- The Centre County Board of Commissioners have considered approving a $100,000 American Rescue Plan Grant for the renovation of two blighted buildings located in historic downtown Philipsburg.
Eric Kelmenson with the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation (PRC), a non-profit volunteer organization working to make Philipsburg a better place to live, visit and do business, was in attendance at this week's meeting to discuss the grant agreement.
Kelmenson gave a rundown of the history of PRC.
"A few years ago a bunch of slightly naive but staunchly committed community members got together and asked the question, 'What can we do that will have the greatest impact in this community?' There was a lot to choose from. We were somewhat paralyzed by choice. But we looked around and identified a common thread -- a great number of derelict and dilapidated property within Philipsburg," said Kelmenson.
In 2020 the organization purchased adjoining blighted buildings located at 104 and 110 N. Front St. in Philipsburg with hopes of renovating the historic structures.
"We decided to buy (them) with the idea of fixing them up... We wanted to create a space that would allow for human flourishing. There's an affordable housing component which both the community and county need as well as a business incubator with the community art center," said Kelmenson.
"My partner, Lynn Anne, and I have been trying to find spaces to make art in. It's hard to do in State College, it's very expensive... Both Lynn Anne and I feel very strongly that having a space for people to be creative, to meet, be able to stop in, express themselves and gather together in a safe space is really important. That's what we're hoping to do," said Adrienne Waterston, emphasizing that partnering with PRC was crucial for them.
"The arts are very important to developing a place for communities but also for economic revitalization. We've seen great things in State College with the Makery and the Rivet," said Chairman Mark Higgins, also mentioning the Bellefonte Arts Museum.
PRC has secured two Affordable Housing Grants, a DCED Blight Remediation Grant and a USDA Grant for the repair of these properties.
"We've come a long way over the last few years, we need a little bit of a push to get us up over the hill... (The grant) is primarily to complete one of the apartments as well as the community art center," said Kelmenson.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion was excited to speak on this topic, offering her connection to the project.
"I've had a chance to get into that building a couple of times now. It’s good to see progress is happening there. Hopefully this will help that project get closer to completion. Having that business incubator space I think is going to be really critical to being able to have that support space for small business in Phillipsburg," said Concepcion.
"I think it’s worth noting that the PRC is working with the Pennsylvania downtown center on a strategic plan for the Philipsburg Borough. There's going to be a process over the next few months of community engagement around creating that strategic plan. This will be one piece of a greater revitalization effort throughout the area," said Concepcion.
The Centre County Commissioners will meet again on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m.