Change is coming to East Girard.

On February 17th, the Fishtown Area Business Association (FABA), through a grant from the Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD), received funding for several programs aimed at revitalizing the business corridor. From Front Street up to Aramingo Avenue, East Girard is home to many independently owned establishments such as DiPinto Guitars, Milkcrate Cafe and Lloyd Whiskey Bar. This revitalization effort, focused on increased public safety and beautification, includes the installation of 14 security cameras out front of local businesses on the corridor as well as the construction and installation of 20 decorative planters. The PTSSD awarded FABA $18,960 in grant money as well as a $17,500 promise grant which will be fulfilled once FABA fundraises a matching sum.

The initial grant will help to cover the cost of the security cameras, which will be registered with the 26th Police District. In a letter to the PTSSD, Sergeant John Massi of the 26th voiced his support for the added security saying that “the community has experienced a significant amount of crime along this corridor” and that “we support a unified business structure along this corridor that can assist the 26th District through social media.” Additional support for the cameras comes from a 50 percent matching grant from the Philadelphia Department of Commerce as well as funding from each of the 14 local business owners.

The grant will also help fund a series of six networking and workshop events set up by FABA to build relationships between new and old business owners, something they believe will strengthen the business community as a whole. The educational workshops will also provide pertinent information and “hands-on practice” for new and emerging business owners. The first 2016 event will be held Monday, March 7th from 6-9 PM at the Front Street Cafe (1253 N. Front St.).

There is also funding provided for a paid, part-time, marketing intern to manage FABA’s social media and web presence.

The purpose of the $17,500 promise grant is to fund the beautification portion of the program, the portion which requires the most money. This effort will include the building and installation of 20 planters at 5 intersections on East Girard. According to the grant proposal, FABA “will enlist local artisans to create sturdy, decorative planters highlighting the area’s industrial and [re]fab identity.” FABA believes that these planters will help give the corridor a more uniform identity, transforming it from a disconnected strip of commerce into a cohesive destination.

The grant application was co-sponsored by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC).

PENN TREATY SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT  TO AWARD OVER $20,000 IN GRANTS AT THE MARCH 2016 MEETING

The Penn Treaty Special Services District (Penn Treaty SSD) announced Grants and Sponsorships to the following recipients:

1. Rock to the Future – $13,756 to support their MobileMusic program partnership with Hacktett School, which offers in-school and summer hands-on guitar lessons for roughly 90 kids in the surrounding area.
2. Friends of Adaire – $3,500 to support their Time Capsule fundraising event on May 14, 2016, at which a time capsule from 1956 will be opened and displayed.
3. Fishtown Action (FACT) – $3,500 to support their March Easter Party and June Concert in the Park.
4. Sister Cities GirlChoir – $3,200 to support their Flagship Saturday Girlchoir program’s 4th Annual Friends and Family Concert event on April 23, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Kensington.

The awards will be presented at the March 20, 2016 meeting.

Also announced was the appointment of Stephen Richman to the board of The Penn Treaty Special Services District, representing the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. Richman is currently the treasurer of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and has served on the NLNA board of directors for more than four years.  

The Penn Treaty SSD, incorporated in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for residents of the immediate neighborhoods surrounding SugarHouse Casino — including Fishtown, South Kensington, Olde Richmond and Northern Liberties.

Funding — which to date has totaled more than $3.5 million — is provided by SugarHouse Casino through an annual donation. Allocation of funds is determined exclusively by the Penn Treaty SSD Board through a grant request form and a review process.

For more information on the Penn Treaty Special Services District, or to apply for a grant, visit www.penntreatyssd.com