On Monday, State Rep. Neal P. Goodman and state Sen. David G. Argall announced that Downtown Shenandoah Inc. will receive a $22,000 state grant to buy property to construct a building that will house a business incubator.
According to the press release, Downtown Shenandoah Inc. plans to use the money to tear down the former J.C. Penney Building that was gutted by fire so it can build on the site.
A business incubator is described as a business that provides advice, equipment, temporary premises, or other facilities to those starting up a business.
“I was saddened when the old J.C. Penney building was lost to fire,” said Goodman, D-123rd District. “I remember my mother taking me shopping there when I was young. But with the building coming down, Downtown Shenandoah Inc. will be able to work closely with Penn State to establish an incubator to bring downtown revitalization to Shenandoah.”
“This funding will be the catalyst to a much larger project for the Downtown Shenandoah Inc. group,” said Argall, R-29th District. “The proposed Innovation Center is the long-term goal of DSI to breathe new life into a downtown business district. I look forward to working with Mary and the DSI Board moving forward on this exciting project.”
“The approval of the grant will allow us to go forward with our project for the Innovation Center,” said Mary Luscavage, executive director of Downtown Shenandoah Inc. “We can't thank Senator Argall and Representative Goodman enough for all their help in getting approval. They have been the catalysts in this project.”
In addition to the business incubator, plans for the Downtown Shenandoah Innovation Center will include first floor retail space, a community computer lab, an events space and offices for Downtown Shenandoah Inc. The grant was awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.
This is the second state grant that has been awarded for this project. In May, Shenandoah received a $17,500 grant for the planning portion of the project from the Keystone Main Street program.
Information posted from Press Release from Representative Neal Goodman
