Downtown Shendandoah, Inc. 116 North Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 Tel: 570-462-2060
DSI website: www.downtownshenandoah.com CEBA website: discoverCEBA.com
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DSI Awarded With Pennsylvania's RACP Grant For CEBA Construction |
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“I believe that this funding is another important tool in improving economic opportunities and fighting blight in Schuylkill County. These grants were highly competitive, so I was very pleased to hear that these well-deserving projects were rewarded for their efforts to bring new jobs to the area.” Senator Dave Argall
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This is a conceptual drawing of CEBA that will be located on the Main Street site where Davison Furniture once stood.
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Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) was one of two Schuylkill County organizations recently approved for Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant.
RACP funding is intended for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. All monies received must be matched with an equal amount of private investment from the organization to be eligible for this grant program.
DSI will use their RACP funding to start construction for The Center for Education, Business and the Arts (CEBA), an innovation center that will be located on the 100 block of North Main Street in Shenandoah, PA where the Davison Furniture Building used to stand.
“I believe that this funding is another important tool in improving economic opportunities and fighting blight in Schuylkill County,” said Senator Dave Argall in a December 28, 2020 press release announcing the funding awards.
CEBA will be an innovation center where entrepreneurs and community members can acquire affordable education, business space, and valuable resources they need to start and grow their businesses. CEBA was created through multiple focus groups and personal interviews with the community to ensure the center will meet their needs. Outcomes included a culinary kitchen, conference/event center with a catering kitchen, a classroom for higher education, and more.
CEBA’s collaborative environment will enable individuals to grow their business ideas to a point where they can open their own storefronts, thereby helping to revitalize the community, fill empty storefronts, and create new jobs. CEBA will also generate visibility within Shenandoah attracting prospective patrons, artists, businesses, and visitors to the area to stimulate local and regional economic development.
"CEBA will become a catalyst for economic growth in Schuylkill County and the surrounding region," explained DSI Board President and Treasurer, Karen Kenderdine. "Part of DSI’s mission is, “to stimulate economic development by encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community and CEBA aligns with this mission," she said.
To date, DSI, Inc. has purchased the land, raised $270,000 of its own funds, and now, in order to meet the matching requirements of The RACP that is needed to begin and complete CEBA construction, a community match is needed. CEBA is a community-wide effort and we need your financial support!
Donations can be made online at discoverceba.com, mailed, or dropped off at the DSI Office, 116 S. Main Street, Shenandoah, PA.
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We want to thank all the community members who have donated to CEBA to date. Join us in making CEBA a reality! Let's add your name to this growing list!
Every dollar counts...your dollar counts!
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Joe & Barbara Anczarski
Alfred Bronakowski
Betty Ann Bugden
Michael Creasy
John Elliott Esq.
Tricia Palubinsky
Gina Ross
Delance Family
Desiree Dunleavy
Scott Herring
Karen Kenderdine
Francesco Logozz
Ron & Mary Luscavage
Mary Ellen Matunis
Joe & Andrea Pytak
Peter & Anne Skirmantas
Mary Ann Budd
Ted Souchuck
Kawika Daguio
Anthony Sajone
Francesco Logozzo
Frank Matunis
Joe & Nancy Schlitzer
Joseph Yeck
Schuylkill Area Community Foundation
Williamson, Friedberg & Jones
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Congressman Daniel Meuser
Matt Carduf
Renee Buchanan
Joseph Anczarski Jr.
Stephen Rich
Dr. Eric Petterson
Anne Taylor
Pamela Twardzik
Thomas Twardzik
Lynn Anczarski
John Thomas
Anne Kane
Paul Prybolsky
Charles & Arlene Vascavage
Bob Yudinsky & Joyce Smith
Jim & Dot Setcavage
Rob & Annie Taylor
Kurt Bauman
Jean Farooki
Scott & Susan Williams
Darlene Robbins
Paul Prybolosky
Murphy & Dittenhafer, Inc.
Mr. Thomas Mervine
Main Street Laundromat
Barron & Robin Hetherington
Wm, Johathan & Mary Jo Moss
Note: If you donated and your name isn't on our list, please call the office and we'll add it for our next issue. Thank you!
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DSI Presents CEBA Connects 2021: Complimentary Presentations
Register Today
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Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. presents, CEBA Connects 2021, live virtual presentations designed to connect our community so we can learn and grow together.
The mission of The Center for Education, Business, and Arts (CEBA) is to, "provide educational, artistic, recreational, and economic opportunities that create jobs, increase household income, build community, and enhance the quality of life in the Schuylkill County Region."
CEBA Connects 2021 presentations will feature a variety of interesting topics led by community leaders, industry professionals, and CEBA partners.
The first three presentations will be live via Zoom and are free to attend, but registration is required.
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The Productivity/Self Care Connection: Winterizing Your Self Care Routine
Presenter: Mandy Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Schuylkill County VISION
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Want to focus on your self-care, but not sure what to do or how to get started? Mandy Fitzpatrick will explain the connection between self-care and your overall productivity and share easy tips to help you get started with doable self-care routines. She’ll also explain why winter is the perfect time to focus on the 3 H's...form Habits, start a Hobby, and focus on your health.
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Marketing Basics: Effective Budget-Friendly Tips
Presenter: Lisa Robinson, Business Instructor, Penn State World Campus, Penn State Schuylkill
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Learn to make a big impact with a small marketing budget! Lisa Robinson, instructor of Business at Penn State World Campus and Penn State Schuylkill, will share a variety of inexpensive strategies to help small businesses and nonprofits. Learn how to make the most of social media platforms, strengthen community partnerships, benefit from volunteering, and other marketing basics to get the word out about your business or nonprofit!
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We're In The News!
DSI Is Making headlines!
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Thank you to the Republican Herald and staff writer Jim Dino for the great article updating the community about CEBA! |
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Thank you Chase Senior for the news story, Bringing Back Shenandoah that recently aired on WNEP.
Pictured from left to right are Karen Kenderdine, DSI President/Treasurer, Andrea Pyteck, DSI Secretary, and Chase Senior from WBRE.
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You Can Support DSI While You Shop
Sign up For Amazon Smile
Support DSI when you shop online at Amazon.com. It's really easy.
Switch over to Amazon Smile, select DSI as your preferred nonprofit a percentage of your order will go straight to us!
Thank you and happy shopping!
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Feeling Lucky?
Get Your Chances For Our
Lottery Basket Fundraiser
Stop in the DSI office and get your chances for the new Lottery and Cash Basket. $200 value.
Tickets are $2 each or $3 for 5 tickets. Drawing is scheduled, Spring 2021
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Business Spotlight: Kowalonek Kielbasy Shop Celebrates 110 Years
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“We are so proud of our Shenandoah community...We want to personally thank everyone for supporting us through this difficult time and look forward to a strong, future."
Jessica Kowalonek Hannis
Luke Kowalonek
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What makes Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop a Shenandoah landmark? 110 years of hard work, great customer service, and producing delicious kielbasy, of course! Shenandoah is rich with historical significance and the Kowalonek's team embraces that history while looking ahead to the future.
Their story begins back in 1911 when Joseph Dziadzi,(jaw-gee) Kowalonek started a small grocery store on Chestnut Street. After eight years the business grew out of its original space and relocated to Chestnut and Columbus. At the time, the entire family helped produce the kielbasy in an adjoining kitchen. Then, the kielbasy was taken down the street to an 8' x8' shack filled with cherry wood where it was smoked to perfection.
The irresistible aroma spread throughout the neighborhood and it wasn't long before Dziadzi's recipes became a hometown favorite. News about this delicious treat soon spread and people from all over the country traveled to Shenandoah to purchase their kielbasy. The business continued to grow, the product line expanded, and eventually, in the mid-1980s Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop moved to their current location on South Main Street Shenandoah.
"We have many loyal local customers," said Jessica Kowalonek Hannis. "But we also have repeat customers that travel from Harrisburg, Allentown, Reading, Philadelphia, and even farther. "When the pandemic hit back in March, everything was so unclear. We made the very difficult decision to close until things were more certain and safe," she explained. "When we reopened we weren't sure if our customers would return. They did, and everyone on our team is grateful. We have our community to thank for that," she said.
Luke Kowalonek agreed. "I think the reason we are successful is because of our great employees and local support. We see the same customers come in week in and week out." He continued to explain that in addition to the local support they are fortunate to get customers from out of the area. "Even during Covid they still took the drive to keep a family tradition of kilbo on the table for Christmas," he said.
Learn more about this Shenandoah business on their website or visit them at 332 South Main Street.
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Here's The Dish!
Shared by Our Friends at Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop
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New Executive Director For DSI |
Susan Williams was recently announced as the new Executive Director for Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. She replaces Mary Luscavage who retired after 11 years of leading the nonprofit organization. "I am very pleased Susan will be taking over as Executive Director," said Mary Luscavage. " She is definitely an asset to DSI and the entire community. Welcome, Susan!," she said.
Susan brings more than 30 years of marketing, business, and nonprofit experience to DSI. She has worked with the DSI team over the past few years and looks forward to continuing fulfilling the organization's mission.
"I look forward to working with the Shenandoah and Schuylkill County communities to develop partnerships, strengthen existing programs and continue the progress of The Center for Education, Business and Arts (CEBA). "When a community comes together, great things will happen and CEBA is a perfect example," Williams said.
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