Ebensburg received business improvement funding
EBENSBURG -- The Ebensburg Area Business Commission and Main Street Partnership would like to announce receipt of a New Communities Facade Improvement Grant in the amount of $30,000. The grant is designed to encourage commercial property owners and tenants to improve the appearance of their businesses through structural facade rehabilitation and restoration.
-- Owners and tenants of commercial, industrial, and non-owner occupied residential investment properties, are eligible for funding. In addition, they must be members of the main street partnership and physically located in the state designated central business district. Funding will be provided in the form of a matching grant in an amount not to exceed $2,500. Each applicant is required to contribute a cash match equal to the amount provided by the Partnership.
-- Projects financed under the Facade Improvement Grant Program are limited to the following activities:

-- Furthermore, all projects funded under the Facade Improvement Grant Program will:

-- In order to apply for funding, a project description, picture and quote must be submitted to the Facade Design Committee for consideration, prior to the start of construction. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Ebensburg Area Business Commission Design Committee on a first-come first-serve basis. New projects and applicants will be given first priority. Once approved, matching grants will be awarded in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per applicant. The Main Street Partnership receives this funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
-- See more program guidelines here.

Downtown Ebensburg business expands
EBENSBURG -- Studio 111 Family Hair Styling, located at 111 South Center Street, has announced that they will hire an additional full-time employee and offer new services.
-- “Since we opened in October of last year, we have been extremely busy,” said Mona Myatt, Owner. “Our location and reputation have really helped us to prosper.”
-- The beauty salon will now offer nail services, which will include manicures and acrylic nails. Walk-ins are welcome and tanning services are available.
-- Furthermore, Cathy Weaver, of Carrolltown, has been added to the Studio111 team. She has over ten years of experience in the field.
-- “We are striving to provide better and longer hours for our customers,” said Myatt. “With the addition of Cathy, we will be able to achieve this.”
-- Studio 111 is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evenings are available by appointment from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please call (814) 471-0220 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Volunteers to be recognized for efforts
New business to fill downtown vacancy
EBENSBURG -- Two local businesses, Express Yourself and the Pages & Light used bookstore, are teaming up to open a store in downtown Ebensburg. Express Yourself is a gift shop currently located in the Georgian Mall in Somerset. They will open their second location with the Pages & Light used bookstore, formerly located in Boswell and Westmont. Express Yourself – Pages & Light will open in the former dollar store, 126 West High Street.
-- “Many of our customers are located in central Pennsylvania,” said Dale Cunningham, owner of Express Yourself. “Having a second location, and partnering with Pages & Light, will allow our customers to visit more frequently and allow us to better serve the community.”
-- The store will feature Russian ornaments, Jim Shore – Heartwood Creek, Painted Ponies, Cat and Dog collectibles, fine jewelry, decorative country items, and a wide variety of Christmas items. A large assortment of high-end greeting cards will be sold for only $1, as well as, discounted Precious Moments, Cherished Teddies, and Boyd’s Bears. A gourmet line of chocolates will also be offered.
-- “When buying for the shop, we seek out merchandise that is not readily available in the area,” said Cunningham.
-- The store will also include Pages & Light, a used bookstore that will eventually house over 23,000 books of all genres, as well as, vinyl records, CD’s, and videotapes.
-- “In the future, we would like to add a sitting area for customers to enjoy while reading,” said Tammy Yoder, co-owner of Pages & Light. “We are planning to also add fax and copy services for the public to utilize.”