PA DCED Accepting Applications for Keystone Communities Programs

DCED Issues Keystone Communities Guidelines
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has issued Guidelines for their Keystone Communities programs and are accepting applications.  The guidelines can be accessed here.

Keystone Communities Program Assists Pennsylvania’s communities in achieving revitalization.  The program designates and funds communities that are implementing Main Street, Elm Street, Enterprise Zone efforts or other community development efforts by supporting physical improvements to designated and/or other communities that are undertaking revitalization activities within the community.  Also, provides accessible modifications for the homes of persons with physical disabilities. 

NOTE:  This Program consolidates the discontinued New Communities, Housing and Redevelopment Assistance and Pennsylvania Accessible Housing appropriations, funding most eligible activities under these appropriations.

Components include:

Designation and Implementation:

• Keystone Main Streets:  Funding and technical assistance for a community's downtown revitalization.
• Keystone Elm Streets:  Funding and technical assistance for residential and mixed use areas in proximity to central business district.
• Keystone Enterprise Zones:  Funding and technical assistance for disadvantaged industrial/manufacturing and business sites.
• Keystone Communities:  Designation and potential access to funding and Neighborhood Assistance tax credits.

Keystone Communities Development Projects:  Grants and grants-to-loans for physical improvements for both designated and other communities.

Accessible Housing:  Housing improvements for persons with physical disabilities.

Uses

Community revitalization and economic development projects involving physical improvements to a specific area; revitalization of residential and mixed use neighborhoods and downtowns; development or rehabilitation of housing; physical improvements supported by a downtown plan; acquisition costs and physical building improvements for a development project such as an Anchor Building or similar project; competitive grants to loans for eligible businesses located in an enterprise zone; business development surveys; business development strategy/preparation; revolving loan funds; and adaptive modifications that increase the ability of persons with permanent, physical disabilities to remain in their homes preventing institutionalization.

FAQ
Will previously designated Main Street, Elm Street, and Enterprise Zone communities continue to receive operational support from the Keystone Communities Program?
A community that received a designation prior to March 8, 2011 will continue to receive operational support throughout the designation period.  Operational support is contingent upon the General Assembly appropriating funding for this purpose and the community’s appropriate and successful administration of the program.  These designated communities will continue to operate under the New Communities Guidelines dated August 2008.