Economic development committee backs façade grant, marketing packet and Main Street manager process

Lansdale’s economic development committee on June 4 approved a façade grant request for Well Crafted Brewing Company, discussed a potential Discover Lansdale mailer and the ongoing process to establish Main Street manager criteria and an economic development corporation.

Façade grant and funds: The committee approved a façade grant for Well Crafted Brewing Company to pay for exterior upgrades. Committee members noted two committee members abstained from that vote; Councilman Carroll said he was one of the abstentions. The committee reported a $25,000 façade fund starting point and that about half of an additional $60,000 backstop is reserved for other programs; roughly $30,000 remained available for facade or marketing uses at the committee level.

Marketing and Main Street initiatives: Discover Lansdale representatives plan a small mailer (about 2,500 houses initially) to promote events; the organization will start at its own expense and may return for borough assistance later. The committee reviewed a soft draft of a new welcome packet for incoming business owners and will ask borough staff for polish and approval. Committee members reported progress on developing Main Street manager criteria and said interviews could be scheduled soon.

Why it matters: The façade program and marketing outreach aim to boost downtown economic activity; the Main Street manager and corporation feasibility work are longer‑term efforts to provide sustained business support.

Next steps: Committee will continue refining the Main Street manager criteria, consider requests for assistance from Discover Lansdale if sought, and bring façade fund requests and any larger allocations to full council for approval.