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Accomplishments:
Real Estate Development:
Established a Real Estate Revolving Fund with support from the Allegheny Foundation and State Senator Jim Ferlo.
This fund has been utilized by the VIP to purchase three buildings in downtown Vandergrift (134, 139/141, and 143 Grant Avenue). Without stabilization and restoration efforts these buildings would have become uninhabitable. They are currently being restored.
Obtained funds and encouraged the Façade Grant Program, which provides a matching grant for businesses and building owners who wish to make improvements to their building’s exterior.Nine Vandergrift businesses have taken advantage of this grant program, collectively receiving $37,014 from the VIP, and investing $34,209.14 of their own funds.
Business Recruitment:
Since the VIP’s inception nine new businesses have opened in the main street district. The VIP works with new businesses, encouraging their entrepreneurial efforts through helping them find resources and available space.
Public Space Improvements:
- Purchased street lamp banners to welcome visitors to the main street district.
- With funding from PNC Bank and help from Vandergrift Borough and Lion’s Club, the VIP placed a new sign along Route 56 welcoming visitors to the community.
- Planned for the redesign of the Columbia Avenue Parking Lot and adjacent Teeple Memorial Park, utilizing the services of Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a leader in public space design.
- Planted six trees using permeable concrete and Silva Cell technology along Columbia Avenue based on the plans provided by PPS.
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Promotional Events:
The VIP organizes annual promotional events which bring hundreds of visitors into the downtown business district each year in order to give the community and businesses exposure.
- Clean Up Day
- Vandergrift Fine Arts Festival
- Vandergrift Farmers’ Market
- Light Up the Night
- Retail promotional events such as the Favorite Pet Photo Contest and Calendar as well as First Thursdays
Community Clean-Ups and Sustainable Development:
- Organize annual community-wide clean up efforts such as Youth Day of Caring in the spring and Adopt-A-Highway in the spring and fall.
- Support sustainable development through a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Sustainability Initiative. This partnership has provided students with the opportunity to design and implement sustainability projects, such as examining ways to harness the energy of the Kiskiminetas River to provide hydroelectric power to downtown Vandergrift.
Awards
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Outstanding Community Service Award from Senator Jim Ferlo (2005)
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Awarded for efforts in retail promotions with the VIP Pet Photo Contest & Calendar (2007)
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Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County Award (2009)
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143 Grant Avenue Restoration
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National Trust for Historic Preservation - National Accredited Main Street (2010)
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