PP&L, Inc. presented grants of $72,000 to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce on Friday (10/24) to help fund small business and facade improvement programs throughout the county.

The grant comes from PP&L's Community Partnership Program, which makes funds available to agencies and nonprofit organizations for initiatives that revitalize neighborhoods, create housing opportunities and help small businesses start and grow.

Over the past three years, PP&L has awarded $8.4 million to more than 200 community development initiatives. None of those grant dollars are included in the price PP&L customers pay for electric service.

PP&L presented two grants. One grant is for $42,000 to be used to implement the Schuylkill County Neighborhood Development Program, which includes the Pottsville Area Development Corp. and the boroughs of Minersville, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City and Girardville. The grant will be used for a downtown facade improvement program that provides matching grants for businesses and property owners. The eligible activities include major maintenance, repair, general rehabilitation and restoration of commercial storefronts and upper story facades.

The other grant is for $30,000 to be used to help implement the Schuylkill County Business Support Program, which provides grants to small businesses where financial need is demonstrated. A revolving loan program has been initiated in downtown Shenandoah.

"These small business development and facade improvement programs make a difference in the community, and PP&L is proud to be part of it," said Florence McNelis, PP&L customer programs director for northeastern Pennsylvania. "Our business strength is linked directly to the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve."

This is the third year that PP&L has provided funds to the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce for small business and facade improvement initiatives. The restoration of the Majestic Theatre in Pottsville began with prior year funding.

"The chamber has spent more than $70,000 from PP&L funding in previous years for downtown development and improvements in Minersville, Mahanoy City and Frackville," said David A. Donlin, executive director of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. "About $50,000 of PP&L grant money also was used to assist more than 16 small businesses with start-up and expansion costs in past years."

An independent evaluation of PP&L's program by a social research organization found that each Community Partnership Program grant dollar spent produces more than 20 times that amount in economic and social benefits.