Warren County business owners looking to improve their storefront facade could get a helping hand from the PA Route 6 Alliance.

The alliance has received a $200,000 Main Street Matters grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Those interested in potentially applying have an opportunity to learn more in a week at a pair of public meetings in Warren County. Both Warren County meetings will be held Monday, July 6, with the first at 10 a.m. in the Youngsville borough building, 40 Railroad St., Youngville, followed by a 5:30 p.m. meeting in the Warren County Conservation District conference room, 4000 Conewango Ave., Warren. A virtual meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, with a link received after registration. To register, visit paroute6.com/programs-grants/facade/warren-mckean-counties.

Commercial building owners and businesses or nonprofit organizations (with property owner approval) in Warren and McKean counties may apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support improvements to their building’s facade, the front exterior visible from the roadway. Grant recipients are required to provide a 1:1 match, resulting in a maximum total project investment of $10,000.

Eligible commercial buildings may be located anywhere within Warren or McKean counties. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, exterior painting, new signage, window replacement or restoration, and canvas awning replacement. Projects engage local contractors, construction companies, hardware stores, and sign shops, all of whom employ local residents.

These grants are an opportunity for businesses that weren’t able – or weren’t around – the last time this program was available in Warren County to take advantage of an opportunity to double their investment in improving the way their business looks to customers. You only get one chance to make a first impression on customers, and it may be a few years before you get a second chance to get state grant funding to double your investment.