POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU AWARDS 11 BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS TO AREA ORGANIZATIONS

07/02/2009

Press Release/June 30, 2009
Alicia M. Quinn/Gillian L. Moore
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
570.421.5791
alicia@poconos.org / prdept@poconos.org

POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU AWARDS
11 BEAUTIFICATION GRANTS TO AREA ORGANIZATIONS

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA., June 30, 2009 – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) has awarded 11 beautification grants to local organizations.  Beautification Grants are awarded annually to organizations throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne that are interested in improving their curb appeal and community.

This year's recipients are as follows:

Equinunk Historical Society - $500
The funds given to the organization will aid in an extensive landscaping project for the museum, including the installation of a memorial herb garden

Matamoras Revitalization Committee - $500
Their PA Avenue beautification project is dedicated to improving Pennsylvania Avenue. The allotted sum will help to acquire holiday decorations for the east side of the street and enhance this goal.

Pike County Conservation District - $500
The Conservation District will manage stormwater issues by establishing native plants on steep slopes around their historic building.  These plants will also be used for education purposes to demonstrate to residents and visitors how these local plants can be utilized.

Sherman Theater - $500
The awarded amount will contribute to the new marquee signage, which was designed to reflect the style and charm of the original 1929 Sherman facade.

Wayne County Historical Society - $500
With the interior renovations of the main museum this past spring, the awarded grant will allow the museum to upgrade the exterior including signage repair and the purchase of ground cover and colorful annuals.

Delaware Water Gap Chamber of Commerce - $400
The grant will be used to replace two borough signs at the entrance of the town and landscape the surrounding areas.

Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm - $400
Project plans are to enhance the farm entrance by installing a split rail fence, removing weeds and brush, planting thriving shrubs and perennials and improving signage.

Clymer Library - $300
Funds will be used to install benches and picnic tables to their landscaped alcove, proving an area for patrons to enjoy their reading materials.

Boy Scout Troop 3- $250
The troop used the grant monies to improve a local trail by removing hazards, constructing a rope handrail and installing four new benches at Camp Akenac.

Wayne Pike Chapter of American Red Cross - $250
The funds will be used to make their building more visitor-friendly and appealing by installing an outdoor window floral box display, adding a comfortable park bench and applying new exterior trim paint.

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce - $200
The plan for the Chamber is to add four outdoor planters to house flowers and/or shrubs for all seasons at the entrance of the Chamber and Visitors Center.

For more detailed information on the projects listed above or on the Pocono Mountains Beautification Grant Program, contact Ann Pilcher, Director of Community Relations at ann@poconos.org or 570-421-5791.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.   

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