2025 Grow NORCO Grant (Pennsylvania)

The Grow NORCO Program (GNP) is designed to be a flexible source of capital that will assist Northampton County municipalities and not-for-profit organizations grow Northampton County’s economic prosperity and quality of life.

Donor Name: Northampton County

State: Pennsylvania

County: Northampton County (PA)

Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement

Deadline: 05/30/2025

Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000

Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned

Details:

The program will help the County prioritize and allocate its limited resources for the betterment of the County.

NCDCED strongly encourages community-based organizations and public agencies to work in partnership with local government to develop a comprehensive approach to address community and economic development needs. These partnerships will create a more attractive place to live as well as encourage business retention, expansion, and job-creation in the County. Where appropriate, multi-municipal projects will receive preference.

Funding Information

Eligible entities can apply for up to $50,000 per application/project.
Funds are released on a reimbursement/cost incurrence basis only.

Eligible Projects

Capital Improvement Projects – Capital Improvement grants are available for a variety of development projects to help eliminate decline, provide gap financing or “seed” funding to leverage additional funds for capital projects. Capital Improvements are defined as a permanent alteration or addition to a property that increases its value or usability. Example projects include:
- Public Infrastructure Improvements
- Community Facilities
- Curb and Sidewalk Replacement
- Signage
- Parking Lot Improvements
Quality of Life Projects – Quality of Life grants are available for projects that improve the health and wellness to the residents of Northampton County. Example projects include:
- Projects that provide a community benefit
- Installation of Public Art
- Streetscape Amenities, e.g., Planters, Benches, Bike Racks
- Park Improvements
Façade Program Projects – The Façade Program grant is designed to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment and preserve the architectural heritage of properties. Successful applicants will be awarded funding up to $50,000 that they will in turn grant out to property owners in a targeted area on a competitive basis. Façade grant limit is $10,000 per property (home or store front). Applicant must be able to demonstrate administrative capacity to effectively run the program. Eligible façade activities include:
- Sign Programs (storefronts)
- Exterior Paint Programs
- Design Assistance
- Building Façade Improvements/Rehabilitation (residential & commercial)
Operations Projects – Operations grants are available to fund operations and staff positions that support new community and economic development efforts. Programs with clearly defined goals and objectives that include measurable outcomes will receive priority. Funds will be targeted toward new efforts and are not intended to be an ongoing source of funds to support operations. It is uncommon for an entity or organization to be funded if they received an award the previous year. Applicants are encouraged to contact NCDCED to discuss. Example projects include:
- Funding to support a downtown manager
- Regional code enforcement officers
- Assistance toward a specific marketing campaign
- Program advertising
- Initiatives that reduce or eliminate blight
Community Planning Projects – Planning grants are available to communities that desire to evaluate the ramifications and/or address a particular need, address a circumstance within a community, undertake a study relevant to an identified need with a community or study the results of implementing a specific activity. Applicants may apply for assistance to develop planning applications to work toward a state or federal designation status. Fees to administer any planning grants by the applicant are not eligible expenses unless approved by NCDCED. Example projects include:
- Multi-municipal Coordinated Zoning ordinance update
- Planning for the establishment of a special incentive zone or district, e.g.,
- Neighborhood Improvement District (NID), Business Improvement District (BID), Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA), etc.
- Funding to assist a community to obtain some other state or federal designation to assist the community’s revitalization efforts
- The development of a Downtown Parking Analysis and Management Plan.
- The development of a Complete Streets Plan to address downtown circulation issues.
- Soft costs such as architectural, engineering and/or legal fees, consulting, etc. needed to implement the construction of a project that has secured funding. Evidence of secured funding must be provided
- Site Reuse studies
- Multi-municipal Planning Studies (traffic, storm water, regional services, etc.).