Philipsburg revitalization organization looks toward future

This story originally appeared on The Pennsylvania Wilds blog, where I’m a contributor.

Like many small-town communities across the state, Philipsburg, located along the I-80 Frontier of the Pennsylvania Wilds, started to see hard times as its major industries started to decline. 

Philipsburg, founded by romantic renegade Hardman Philips, thrived as a result of booming coal and lumber industries, as well as manufacturing. And according to Eric Kelmenson, President of the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation (PRC), “Philipsburg’s hardy beginnings are deep-rooted in the people who live there today, embrace the town’s history and are optimistic about its future.”

(Photo credit: Curt Chandler)

The revitalization organization, a non-profit that restructured within recent years, can be credited with many of the recent efforts to truly make the town thrive once again. 

“We’ve brought on new board members from diverse backgrounds and we’ve had a breakout year organizing successful events, establishing a partnership with the borough, filling previously vacant storefronts with great businesses, and generally speaking, restoring hometown pride,” Kelmenson said. 

It’s a focus on community that’s proving successful for them. They work mainly to put on events that bring the community together and to encourage economic development.

“We’ve got ambitious goals, and a real challenge for us as a volunteer-based organization is to find the funding, time and energy to carry out our vision. It’s tough,” he said. “A big goal over the coming years is to be in a financial position to hire a full-time Main Street manager. It’s a lot of work organizing events, writing grants, fundraising, staying up to date on social media, bringing in new businesses, and overseeing our amazing volunteers.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Kelmenson said that 2020 is going to be a big year not only for Philipsburg, but for the PRC organization as well. 

“A number of previously vacant historic buildings and Victorian houses are currently being renovated,” he said. “As more space becomes stabilized, more creative energy, business and people will come to town.”

New business Smith + Front opened in 2019 in downtown Philipsburg — an art studio, shop and gallery space. Owner Staci Egan said when it came to choosing space for their business, they were priced out of nearby State College. 

“I had seen a video by the PRC and decided to reach out,” Egan said. “We were looking for something affordable with character, and Philipsburg delivered.” Egan owns the business with her husband, David. 

The PRC itself has just acquired two buildings on Front Street, the community’s main thoroughfare in the downtown. 

Philipsburg
This is a property in Philipsburg recently purchased by the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation (PRC). Photo credit: Syed Karimushan.

“These buildings have sat vacant for years and we are beyond excited to begin renovating them,” Kelmenson said. “Our end goal will be to provide three affordable housing units and three incubation spaces to the community.”

He says that the project checks several boxes for the organizations. 

“First, it allows us to kick off our efforts to remediate blight,” he said. “Zombie property is a real problem depriving our schools of funding, creating health hazards, and hindering new business creation. It’s increasingly a focus for the PRC.”

Second, he says, the project will spark needed creative and entrepreneurial energy downtown. And finally, it will become a revenue generator for the organization. 

FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The downtown Philipsburg space will provide affordable space to artists, startups and others who will contribute to Philipsburg’s renaissance. However, the area as a whole has been a hub for entrepreneurship in recent years. 

Not only is the Philipsburg community home to DiamondBack Truck Covers, one of Centre County’s biggest success stories, it’s also home to an incubator that is part of a multidirectional strategy to revitalize Philipsburg on a county level. 

Over the last three and a half years, the Philipsburg Incubator has had four tenants, and serves as a feeder system for the PRC and the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership. 

Read the rest of the story on The PA Wilds blog.

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