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Redbank Renaissance, Inc. is a group of area citizens who have incorporated to revitalize New Bethlehem and the Redbank Valley area by utilizing its assets. Our members include business owners, borough council members, bankers, the former school superintendent and teachers, nurses, doctors, ministers, retired folks and others who are concerned about the Redbank Valley. Our organizational structure follows the trademarked Main Street and Trail Town program structure that was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to address revitalization needs with a comprehensive, long-term approach.

The four committees and a brief outline of their responsibilities are:

Design – Downtown streetscape, buildings, infrastructure and appearance, sign and façade grants.

Promotion – Marketing, events and promotion of area image, community calendar, church directory.

Economic Restructuring – Assistance for existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses.

Organization – Legal, financial and reporting requirements, fundraising and volunteer recruitment and training.

The program has been successful in over 1900 other communities around the country, including Brookville, Ridgway, Lock Haven and Warren among others. See the National Trust’s Main Street Center for more information: http://www.mainstreet.org. Our goal is to follow this model to bring new life to the Redbank Valley for sustained economic health and the benefit of its residents.

Please enjoy and use this website and join us in our efforts!

Our Current Efforts:

  • Redbank Renaissance has raised $54,788.03 in pledges and donations. Your support is appreciated!

  • Design Committee focusing on improvements of appearance of downtown New Bethlehem, including community clean ups, banners and a façade and signage improvement program. For more information on the FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM see the following:

    • Façade Program Manual - PDF

    • RRI Grant Application - PDF | MS Word

  • Organizing an Artists’ Cooperative to provide a cost effective central location for area artists and craftspersons. For information call Ty Poster, Economic Restructuring Committee Chair, at 814-275-3421. Interested area artists met several times during 2009 and 2010, are seeking additional participants and are currently working on organizational structure, documents and a possible location.  Renaissance, Carol Wahl and Linda Moore sponsored a reception on January 23rd with 11 artists in attendance with several more expressing interest.  There was good discussion about many issues.  An intensive workshop was held on Saturday, Feb. 20th to work on organizational documents. 

    Plans included the arts festival on July 4th in Gumtown Park and participation in other area shows during the year.  Anyone interested in participating should call Carol Wahl at 814-764-6086 or Sandy Mateer at 814-275-1718 or send an e-mail to scmateer1@comcast.net.  Watch the calendar for additional meeting dates.
  • Redbank Renaissance has purchased banners for the street poles on Broad Street which will change with the seasons and promote area events or groups, including the Redbank Valley Bulldogs, the library’s Art in the Park and the Chamber’s Peanut Butter Festival. Donations for this effort would be greatly appreciated. The banners were custom designed and are of a good durable quality.

  • Renaissance was successful in obtaining a grant through Pennsylvania Wilds to install a Welcome to New Bethlehem sign as you come south on Rt. 66 at the Borough line.  The sign was installed in May 2010 and was landscaped by the Clarion County Garden Club in September.  We hope to work with other community organizations to install 2 more welcome signs at the entrances to the Borough on Route 28.

  • DCED applications for Funding of Main Street type programs to be filed when matching funds are available

  • 501(c)(3) IRS public charity exempt status approved

  • Community Outreach & Fundraising

  • Business Assistance through Partnerships with Clarion University and The University of Pittsburgh – (Please see upcoming business seminars under “Business Assistance”)

  • Marketing & Promotion of the Redbank Valley and its Businesses.  See this flyer for things to do, places to eat and business opportunities.

  • Working with engineers on a Trail Town study for promoting New Bethlehem as a demonstration Trail Town for the water trail on Red Bank Creek and rails to trails. New Bethlehem Borough has been awarded an $18,000 grant for trail town planning through the Northwest Commission. Trail Town Planning Presentation (PDF)

  • Working with the Allegheny Valley Land Trust and the Redbank Valley Trails Association, which formed in May, to promote trail development.  The group is meeting on the third Monday of each month at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church at 403 Penn Street at 7 PM. New Bethlehem and AVLT were awarded a $25,000 grant for a feasibility and planning study for the trail from Lawsonham to Brookville.
  • Pursuing Route 28 access for Smuckers

  • Community Calendar

 

Friday, January 27th, 2012
 


Projects for 2010-2011

Current Fundraiser - Pens made of wood from the 1883 New Bethlehem Dam.
Click here for info

Redbank Valley Trails Information
Click here for info

New Bethlehem Trail Town Community Needs Survey by Mackin Engineering Company & McCollom Development Strategies
Click Here

Groups looking for local mission projects and community service work are welcome to call 814-275-1718 or scmateer1@comcast.net for possible coordination of future projects.

Artists' and Crafters' Cooperative
Click here for info


2011 Initiatives

First Fridays in the Park
Enjoy music and food in Gumtown Park on 1st Fridays in June through September and join us for the Music & Arts Festival on July 2nd!
Click here for more

Click Here for Artists/Crafters July 2nd Registration Form

Arts & Crafts Show - December 3rd
Registration Form
More Info

Trail Town Planning with New Bethlehem Borough

PA Wilds Initiative
Visit Trail Town page above for details
YouTube Video

High School Students:
Need an idea for a graduation project that will benefit both you and the community?
Click Here!


More Info on Fundraisers and Events


 

   

 

 

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