The Borough of Sharpsburg has been selected as a recipient of Main Streets Allegheny, a countywide initiative supporting neighborhood commercial districts across Allegheny County. The two grants will help support beautification efforts in the business district as well as support a community event celebrating the Borough’s bicentennial. This project was made possible through Main Streets Allegheny, an initiative of County Executive Sara Innamorato with funding provided by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.
Main Streets Allegheny is a program of Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) designed to strengthen commercial corridors and support local businesses across Allegheny County. Through targeted investment in neighborhood business districts, Main Streets Allegheny brings together technical assistance, grants, loans, and district-level investment to help municipalities, business districts, and small businesses create vibrant, thriving communities where residents live, work, and shop.
The first grant is for $20,000 and falls under the Event & District Activation Grants. The funds will be used to support a drone show, which will be a culminating event on Saturday, September 19 after the first annual music festival. The drone show is in celebration of the Borough’s bicentennial and is expected to draw visitors to the Borough.
The second grant is for $57,400 and falls under the Implementation Grants. Funds will be used for several components including installation of public art on a building located prominently at the corner of 6th and Main Streets. Funds will also be used to purchase colorful banners to be hung on the streetlight poles to beautify the business district and to create vibrancy. We will also complete a project in partnership with the Boy Scouts in which we purchase materials and the scouts provide the labor to build planters for local businesses who desire to have greenery and flowers in front of their building. Lastly, LED butterflies will be acquired and used to decorate Guyasuta Square and North Canal Street during community events and used as a unique wayfinding technique.
The Borough is grateful to have been awarded these two grants in support of the community and to enhance the business district. The business district is one of the primary locations in town where residents and visitors alike come together to connect with one another and build community. It is an anchor in town that ensures that Sharpsburg remains resilient, vibrant, attractive to business owners, and instills a sense of pride.