Main Street Needs More Money, Freeman Says
State Rep. Bob Freeman pushing bill that would extend Main Street programs.
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State Rep. Bob Freeman wants to give programs like the Easton's Main Street Initiative more time to do their work.
Freeman's proposed legislation would extend the life of Pennsylvania's Main Street programs, which are designed to help communities improve their downtowns.
The bill would extend funding for the administrative side of those programs for another five years, provided that the state Department of Community and Economic Development gives its permission.
"Unfortunately, we have seen in numerous cases that the current five-year time frame to turn around a traditional downtown is too short," Freeman said in a news release. "A community just begins to see the progress brought on by Main Street initiatives only to see the plug pulled prematurely, often causing the downtown's success to suffer."
In Easton, the Main Street Initiative *runs numerous city events, and helps promote/attract downtown businesses.
The original five-year window on Easton's Main Street program has already closed, meaning the city has had to find other means of funding it, such as the parking rate increase council approved last year.
*An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Easton Main Initiative oversees the Easton Farmers' Market. In reality, both entities are run by the Greater Easton Development Partnership.
Ronnie DelBacco
6:44 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
If the current five year time frame is not long enough for the program to root itself, then it isn't sustainable. Very few, if any, true competitive business models would remain afloat after five years if they didn't begin to make money in that time frame.
More government spending is not the answer. If you can come up with a bill that doesn't require more spending then tell us about it. Otherwise...
Stay the hell out of our wallets Mr. Freeman!
Enough is enough!
Carrie Havranek
8:42 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Look at all the small businesses we have attracted in the past few years, no doubt in no small part due to the success of Main Street. However, we haven't fully recovered and this will ensure the sustainability of the state's downtowns. Look at how empty the malls are becoming around here. People want a more sustainable and local option. Good luck, Rep. Freeman!
Ronnie DelBacco
8:48 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Carrie,
I understand your concerns, but how do you propose we continue to pay for these programs with such high unemployment and less tax revenue going into the state? Surely you can understand that the money doesn't grow on trees.
Amend Wun
9:40 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
"Money doesn't grow on trees" over simplifies the impact of successful Main Street programs. It's more accurate to look at it in terms of ROI. Well run Main Streets bring commercial development, residential expansion and grants that would otherwise not be awarded to the host community. It takes more than 5 years for a community to reverse decades of disinvestment. If the program is showing growth in the community, it should be considered for extension.
Ronnie DelBacco
10:43 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Amend,
I agree with your last statement, but the program still needs to be funded. In this depressed economic environment you just cannot keep going back to the state for more money. The state money comes directly from the pockets of it's residents. It may not be a favorable conversation to have, but the fact remains that the programs like main Street need money we just don't have.
Do you have another proposal for funding it without sucking more of our tax dollars from the state? Bob Freeman is notorious for proposing we continue to spend when the money isn't there.
So, what other ways can programs like this be funded?
STR
12:00 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I agree with Ronnie. Why can't businesses and corporations be encouraged to get involved in such a project with tax incentives to boot? We the taxpayers cant' afford to pay for these things any more. WE ARE BROKE!
High-On-Lehigh
10:59 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
How much funding did the Main St Initiative get?
Laura
12:38 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I do have to say that The Main Street Initiative was a huge reason for choosing Easton as my place of business when I relocated from Washington state last year. I looked at many areas in the Lehigh Valley and found the advice and encouragement from Main Street to be the most supportive. I hope the community and local government continues to support this invaluable resource for the city. In the past year, I have seen Easton grow in tremendous strides. I also have many new clients who have just moved to the area that use The Main Street as a resource for community involvement. Laura Parker – Owner, The Skin Clinic