Thank you for visiting CivicARC.com.

This site was created to serve as the communications center for the work of Civic Economics in providing Technical Assistance to Distressed Communities under contract to the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Though our work on this contract is now complete, this site will remain active as a resource to the CivicARC communities and to share the good news as implementation proceeds in each. Please feel free to browse the site, and return often for updated information.

Thanks to all of our Team leaders and members, we have every confidence that Brownsville, Nelsonville, Okolona, and Sturgis will all realize the ambitious plans they have set out for themselves.

Hard work, work boots save Nelsonville’s Old City Hall

Nelsonville’s Old City Hall provides the physical link between traffic on the highway and the galleries, shops, restaurants, and Opera House on historic Market Square.  Following the TA program, stakeholders in Nelsonville’s historic downtown worked hard to save this distinctive building from demolition for a fast food franchise, investing sweat equity in Tuesday evening “work parties.”

That work has paid off with the purchase of the structure by the Rocky Boot Company.  Rocky, which operates a destination retail store across the street, plans to use the building for additional headquarters office space.

Judy Sinnott of Hocking College reports that new landscaping has transformed this gateway to Market Square. Congratulations Team Nelsonville!

Team Brownsville secures MORE funding

On completion of the strategic planning process in 2004, the State of Pennsylvania provided $150,000 for implementation. In April 2005, Governor Rendell returned to announce an additional $150,000 in state funds. During the presentation, community leader and 84 Lumber founder Joe Hardy surprised the crowd of 300 with a $150,000 match!

Congratulations to Mayor Norma Ryan and the people of Brownsville! Your hard work and careful planning are paying off.

Preservation PA names Downtown Brownsville “Most Endangered”

Downtown Brownsville as been named Pennsylvania’s Most Endangered Historic Property by Preservation PA, the Commonwealth's only statewide, private non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of historically and architecturally significant properties.

While the designation is hardly good news, it will draw statewide attention to the challenges faced in Brownsville, shining a bright light on the hard work of BARC, the Redevelopment Authority, and the Borough. 

Download the full report, Pennsylvania at Risk 2004 (PDF).

Team Nelsonville moves forward

Judy Sinnott reports that Team Nelsonville continues making progress toward returning the Old City Hall to productive use as a visitor center and museum.  Tuesday evening “work parties” have resumed with coming of spring, bringing community members together in an entirely volunteer effort.

Moreover, we are pleased to report that Team Nelsonville remains a powerful force for progress in the community.  Under the leadership of Dr. John Light and Fred Holmes, this diverse group has already made tremendous strides in strenthening “town-gown” relations and building on the historic and cultural assets around the Public Square.

Team Brownsville secures funding

Congratulations to Team Brownsville on securing funding for the purchase of the historic Odd Fellows Lodge. A consultant’s worst fear is that their plans will gather dust; no danger of that in Brownsville!

The grant application was prepared by the Redevelopment Authority of Fayette County, with support and assistance from the Borough of Brownsville, the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation, and Civic Economics.  Governor Ed Rendell tracked down the always busy Mayor Norma Ryan to share the good news himself.

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