Macungie, Alburtis in Line For Main Street Grants

Alburtis and Macungie are in line for small grants from Lehigh County for downtown improvements and planning.

County commissioners are expected to approve $3,575 for a new gateway sign and updates to existing signs and banners for the borough of Alburtis. Virginia Savage, county manager of Main Street Initiatives, said the money will also pay for “event planks” to be added to one of the signs to let people know of upcoming events in the borough.

The county is also creating banners marking its own bicentennial in 2012 and offering those banners to the 25 municipalities that are part of the Main Street Initiatives program. County commissioners had the first reading of the bill to approve the grants on Sept. 14.

A grant for $7,250 is earmarked for an update of Macungie Borough’s zoning ordinance and map. That’s important to ensure that businesses go where they make the most sense, Savage said. For example, localities might not want a manufacturer located in the middle of retail space.

She said zoning ordinances must allow all types of businesses but they permit the municipality some control over the mix.

The county grants require matching funds from a source other than the county, Savage said.

Streetscape amenities, such as banners and signs, might seem like small improvements but they help draw shoppers and businesses, she said. “It’s visually appealing and more attractive,” Savage said. “It really does help in the end with economic development.”