By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Borough officials were awarded $75,000 Monday from the county’s Economic Development Incentive Program for façade improvements on town businesses.
According to Gary Garwacke, borough administrator, those businesses that are approved to receive funds from the grant will be awarded up to 50 percent of the money spent on the actual improvements.
”We are getting ready to do the application process,” he said. “Any business can apply.”
In the five years that the borough has applied for the money for façade improvements, Mr. Garwacke said the town has received about $200,000 in total. He said Manville has received money from the county each year it has applied.
”This year, we got the top dollar amount,” he said.
Initially, Mr. Garwacke said the borough submitted an application to the county for funds from the Economic Development Incentive Program.
Now, there will be an application process for those businesses wishing to take part. Mr. Garwacke said the borough will look at cost, the details of the projects and other factors to determine if the business will receive money, and how much.
”We do as best a job as we can in distributing the money,” he said.
In the past, Mr. Garwacke said, about five to 10 businesses have applied each year for funds from the grant. One such business that benefited was the Manville Diner, on South Main Street, which recently completed its façade improvements to change its sign and overhang, among other alterations.
Mr. Garwacke said that, for the most part, all the businesses that apply receive some money as the borough attempts to distribute it as best as possible. Still, he said, in the past, some businesses that did not go through the entire application process or had difficulty making the payments for the projects, among other issues, were not granted any funds.
In order to receive the money, a business must get approval after submitting an application to the borough. In addition, Mr. Garwacke said, the business must pay for the improvements in full, and submit proof of the payment, before the money can be reimbursed through the grant.
”The business has to want to make these improvements,” he said.
At this point, Mr. Garwacke said, the borough is preparing to create an application for the grant money and set a deadline for submitting the application.

