Borough Business
Revitalization Program
The Borough Business Revitalization Program (BBRP) seeks to assist participating communities in their efforts of providing economically healthy, vibrant, pedestrian- friendly, and aesthetically pleasing downtowns for their residents by promoting their events and providing technical assistance and financial resources on a regional level.
The BBRP is made up of local government officials, business owners, active citizens and paid staff from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. It is a joint effort of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the nine participating boroughs: Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie, North Catasauqua and Wilson.
(Photo) The Bangor BBRP announced its physical improvement projects and received a $5,000 corporate donation from State Farm Insurance to be used for the Bangor Façade Program. Pictured here are: (L - R) John Reinhart, Superintendent of Bangor Area School District; John Kasten, Bangor Borough Manager; Sharon Davis, Bangor BBRP Coordinator; Anthony Biondi, Chairman of the Bangor BBRP Steering Committee; Brian Witmer, Bangor State Farm Agent; Mayor John Brown; Council President Craig Roberts; and Council Member Bonnie Labar.
The BBRP mobilizes the community by utilizing the four point approach to downtown revitalization:
• Design: Getting Main Street in top physical shape. This means working with property and business owners to ensure that their buildings are in outstanding condition. It also involves working with the community to ensure that historical properties are properly preserved and that a traditional downtown layout is maintained. We also work to create an inviting atmosphere through attractive streetscape designs, ample parking, well-maintained sidewalks and informative signage.
• Organizational: Working with all concerned groups towards the same goal. Each of our communities already has numerous organizations dedicated towards the same goals as the BBRP: the improvement of their community. Our job is to work and partner with these organizations to ensure that we can have a maximum impact on the downtown. This area also includes volunteer development, training, recruitment and fundraising
• Promotional: Selling Main Street and promoting its various assets. Malls and shopping centers promote themselves as a single unit all the time – why shouldn’t a Main Street as well? This is done in a variety of ways, including various marketing efforts, joint sales, festivals and other special events. We work on creating a positive image that is designed to garner new customers, businesses, residents and visitors. For some great promotional activities ideas, click here to download our Promotion and Events Guide.
• Economic Restructuring: Enhancing already existing businesses and recruiting new ones. Main Street must find a way to compete in the 21st century business atmosphere of malls and big-box stores. This involves a variety of different potential steps, including converting old buildings for new uses, attracting new businesses to vacant property and helping already existing businesses compete.
One of the programs that the BBRP administers and that we are most proud of is our Façade Program. The Façade Program is a matching grant program whereby selected projects are given 50% of the costs of renovating the exterior of their properties (up to $5,000).
Our Communities
Our program is privileged to assist nine Lehigh Valley Communities: Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie, North Catasauqua and Wilson.
educational & Promotional material
We have created a variety of educational and promotional materials that are designed to help our communities create new events, work with new businesses and welcome new residents.
• Promotions and Events Guide: A guide designed to assist communities in planning, promoting and executing community events.
• Working with the Borough: Designed to help individuals navigate the sometimes complicated process of starting a new business in their community. The guide contains a great deal of information, including a new business checklist, zoning permit information, license requirements, contact information, websites and information about the Borough Business Revitalization Program. Guides have been created in Coopersburg, Hellertown and Macungie.
• Welcome Brochure: This brochure welcomes new residents into their respective communities. It contains a history to the Borough, contact information, pictures, websites, a map and information about the Borough Business Revitalization Program. These guides have been created in Alburtis, Coopersburg and Macungie.
For more information about these publications, contact Mike Schlossberg.
Contact information
For more information on the BBRP, please email Sharon Davis or Mike Schlossberg. You can also reach Sharon at 610-973-4404, and Mike at 484-809-1796.
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