Program seeks community support
CONNELLSVILLE — A program that has helped to breathe life into the city is looking for support once again.
Downtown Connellsville, a locally funded “Main Street” initiative, and a program of the Fayette County Cultural Trust, is seeking pledges from the community to keep the program up and running.
“This is the fourth year for the program — we’re proud of all the accomplishments we have been able to do and are looking forward to doing another four years of the program,” said Michael Edwards, trust president.
The program originally got its start when 85 businesses, individuals and social groups pledged $120,000 four years ago.
“Our plan is to try to do that goal again,” Edwards said.
That money provided Downtown Connellsville with a yearly budget of $30,000 to invest in the community through festivals and a variety of programs. One festival – It’s a Connellsville Christmas – is being celebrated for the fourth year this weekend.
“We’re asking for commitments again,” Edwards said. “We’re well on our way.”
According to Edwards, letters were sent out a few weeks ago, and $21,000 has been collected so far.
Edwards said if someone makes a pledge, they can make payments on the pledge each year.
For example, if someone pledges $2,000, they can contribute $500 each year.
In addition to It’s a Connellsville Christmas, Downtown Connellsville hosts a yearly Autumn Mum Festival that brings the community together.
The organization has contributed money to bring benches, planters and trash receptacles to the downtown area; sponsored business classes provided by Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify program; offered a sign and awning grant program to local businesses looking to improve their facades; aided in the creation of a crime watch program; installed Amtrak train station signage throughout the city; sponsored the summer concert series in Lion’s Square; and recently partnered with the Small Business Administration for “Lunch and Learn” sessions.
The most recent lunch and learn panel was hosted by Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify. The Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Connellsville and the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event that provided small business owners information about the Affordable Care Act.
“We’re wanting to continue to do that sort of outreach and continue our partnership with Seton Hill University,” Edwards said. “It’s pretty amazing when you take a look back at the things that we have been able to do in four years with not a lot of money. It shows the collaboration of all the different organizations that have come together because they want to see the community prosper again.”
Downtown Connellsville also publishes a newsletter twice a year to keep people updated on the progress of the group.
“We see that there is definitely momentum building,” Edwards said. “We thought we should go ahead and ask again and keep the program alive and moving.”