Manheim Downtown Development Group

If you are planning a spring project for your building in downtown Manheim, check out the Facade Grant Program administered by the Manheim Downtown Development Group. Funds, up to $2500.00, are available as a matching grant for work done on the facade of your building. Improvement or replacement of windows, doors, signage, brick work and exterior woodwork are just some of the eligible projects. Improvements must follow the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation as well as all local and county guidelines. Applications will be reviewed monthly by the Design Committee of the Manheim Downtown Development Group. Please visit our office for details to determine if your project is eligible. Facade grant applications are available at the Main Steet Office of the Manheim Downtown Development Group located at 17 North Main Street.

The community’s “Main Street” office is now open at 17 N Main Street! The ribbon cutting is planned for March 24, 1:00pm. Please come out and show your support. The day will include a visit by Geoff Brace, our representative with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. He wants to familiarize himself with the community and specifically meet with committee chairs and their members; to review status of our short and long term goals (which have their foundation in our visioning workshops). More on specific committee schedules that day later... The success of the day will launch us from our grant contract period 1, into period 2 – where the façade improvement funding lies (we have 5+ interested property owners waiting in line).

I wanted to send a quick note to let you hear the latest production of our Only Downtown radio spot which is being co-sponsored for the next three months by our own Rick Wrona’s Summy House of Manheim. Thanks Rick! If you haven’t checked out the restaurant under new ownership and management, please do so.

Also, so you know, the Main Street funding commitments we have in place total $450,000 over the next 4 – 5 years. This will enable the hiring of a main street manager and opening a main street office. However, we had a Main Street Orientation last month, and the challenges far and above increase the responsibilities and expectations on our volunteer committees. Many are already involved but additional help is clearly needed to maintain the momentum and avoid burn out. If you are unsure where to plug in, the Organization committee is a good place to start.

The Manheim Downtown Development Group was formed in May 2001 as a subcommittee under the Manheim Economic Development Corporation. All Borough residents and business were and continue to be invited to participate. The initial goal was commercial business district revitalization taking advantage of State and Federal funding available through The Main Street / Commercial Reinvestment Program. An integral requirement of The Main Street Program is its volunteer and broad-based community support.

All of our events are coordinated and staffed by community volunteers. We invite you to participate as we have learned "many hands make light work". We meet in the Boro office, council chamber room, 1st floor, the 4th Monday evening at 7:00pm.

Join us in helping to enhance downtown Manheim. Additional information here!