June 2, 2025
Meadville, PA — The Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC) has been awarded a $15,411 grant from The Erie Community Foundation’s Crawford County Progress Fund. The funding will support a summer maintenance initiative focused on enhancing the appearance and first impressions of Downtown Meadville.
The initiative will engage a temporary part-time supervisor and seasonal help and fund basic equipment to maintain public spaces throughout the central business district. Efforts will include general weeding, and mulching of shade tree pits, public parking lot entrances, planting beds, as well as Diamond Park, Market Square Pocket Park, and Market Street Pocket Park as needed. Additionally, small-scale projects such as planter maintenance, flower planting, and touch-up painting may be completed in collaboration with the city and downtown business and property owners.
“This grant allows us to take a meaningful step toward building a cleaner, more welcoming downtown,” said Andy Walker, Executive Director of the MCRC. “Small, visible improvements like these help build momentum, pride, and community engagement, while showing residents and visitors alike that Meadville cares about its first impressions. ”
The project will be carried out in partnership with the IU5 Life Skills program, which offers vocational opportunities to students from Crawford, Erie, and Warren counties. Through this partnership, students will gain hands-on experience while contributing to the beautification of their community.
“This Helping Today grant will transform the entrance way to Meadville’s downtown, which is one of our strategic goals to improve the regional vitality of a community,” said Patrick Herr, MSW, Vice President of Community Impact, The Erie Community Foundation.
The grant reflects a shared commitment between the MCRC, IU5, and The Erie Community Foundation to support downtown revitalization efforts through education, collaboration, and targeted investments.
About The Erie Community Foundation
The Erie Community Foundation is a collection of more than 900 charitable endowments with the mission to inspire, engage, and empower donors and communities across the region—today and tomorrow. Learn more at www.eriecommunityfoundation.org.
About the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 (IU5)
IU5 is a regional educational service agency providing cost-effective programs and support to 17 public and nonpublic school districts in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Visit www.iu5.org to learn more.
About the Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC)
The MCRC is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Greater Downtown Meadville. Through strategic partnerships, innovative projects, and community engagement, the MCRC aims to enhance the economic, cultural, and social vibrancy of downtown Meadville.
Contact:
Andy Walker
Executive Director
Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation
Phone: (814) 282-5058
Email: awalker@allegheny.edu / executivedirector@meadvillecrc.org
Erin D. Fessler
Vice President, Marketing, Community & Government Relations
The Erie Community Foundation
Phone: (814) 873-2630
Email: efessler@eriecommunityfoundation.org