GUY ROSSI, ROSSI'S PIZZA
OUR DOWNTOWN RECOGNITION RECIPIENT
 

MONACA IN THE PINK TO
RAISE AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER
  

The creative parking meter, which was unveiled October 15th during the borough's Fall Fest, is attracting attention and collecting donations. For the rest of this month, passersbys can drop coins into the meter to raise money for the movement.  "We did a spin on the whole anti-parking meter thing," said Mario Leone, Monaca Borough Manager.  "We figured it would draw more awareness and if people put money in, we could donate that money to a particular organization."  Mr. Leone noted that the meter has been well received by residents and feedback has been positive.

Mr. Leone said they are looking into raising funds for other organizations such as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in November, the Salvation Army Toys for Tots in December, the American Heart Association in February and Easter Seals in April.  Other local organizations such as the Ohio River Trail Council and the Monaca Volunteer Outreach Committee could also benefit from this parking meter project. 

Information obtained from Pittsburgh Post Gazette October 2011

POWER OF LIGHT GRANT PROGRAM GIVES MONACA ENERGY-SAVING LIGHTING  

The Beaver County borough recently was awarded a $42,849 grant from Duquesne Light through its' Power of Light grant program to upgrade four park locations and the municipal building from incandescent bulbs to exterior LED lighting.  The conversion will reduce the wattage of the bulbs from 48 to 160.

"We are extremely excited about this lighting upgrade for the public safety improvement it will provide, future savings in utility costs and for the overall environmental benefit it will provide us in lowering our community's carbon footprint", said Maria Leone, Monaca Borough Manager.  "It's a win-win-win."

To further save on energy costs, Mr. Leone said the lights will be programmed to dim around midnight or later to 40 watts, resulting in an approximate 90 percent reduction in energy use.
The lighting upgrade will take place at the Pump House Park Boat Launch, Veterans Memorial Park and George Washington Plaza.
The Duquesne Light grant is one of many that Monaca has received in recent years.  Since September 2007, the borough has received more than $1.5 million in grant money, of which more than $400,000 was secured this year.

The Power of Light program invests in lighting projects that promote "vitality, safety and security" in the region's neighborhoods, according to Duquesne Light.

Information obtained from Pittsburgh Post Gazette October 2011 

DOWNTOWN MONACA CALENDAR OF EVENTS    

In late 2010, Town Center Associates (TCA) in partnership with Sustainable Pittsburgh, launched the Sustainable Business Designation Program to advance sustainable practices among small, local businesses in Allegheny and Beaver County's traditional business districts. The program recognizes businesses for implementing sustainability actions that are simultaneously good for their bottom line, the environment, and the social fabric of their communities. To date, over seventy five businesses have earned a "Sustainable Business Designation" through this innovative new program.

TCA wanted to make it possible for consumers to search the  Downtown First business directories for businesses engaging in sustainable business practices. TCA asked Sustainable Pittsburgh to develop a short checklist of sustainability criteria for participating downtown businesses to receive the designation. The criteria include provisions related to energy conservation, waste reduction, stormwater management, land use policies, and alternative transportation, among other sustainability-related topics.

The Downtown First directoryfor each Beaver County Main Street Network town is now searchable by "sustainable businesses." The designation helps customers identify and choose businesses that are committed to sustainability as a core principle to their operations and business model. Businesses can qualify for an additional "Local Business Designation" in the directory as well.

Qualifying sustainable businesses receive a certificate of acknowledgment and window display stickers. The program is intended to inspire local, small businesses to apply sustainability practices and increase vitality among the region's rich fabric of small towns and neighborhoods. If you and your business are interested in signing up for the program, please visit:  www.downtownfirst.net/sustainable-businesses for more information.

TCA and Sustainable Pittsburgh are proud of the businesses who have shown their leadership in earning the sustainable designation, becoming stars in their communities. Click here to view a list of businesses that have earned the Sustainable Business Designation.

You are reading the Monaca FOCUS: your quarterly downtown e-newsletter. By using e-newsletters instead of print newsletters, we can send the information about our downtown revitalization efforts to a greater number of people and save paper--a win for the community and the environment!     

To receive your copy of the e-newsletter via email, simply send an email to tca@towncenter.info and indicate your email address, as well as the name of the town or towns for which you'd like to receive the e-newsletters. You can also call Town Center Associates to sign up at 724-728-9400.      

Please also take a moment to forward this email along to your friends, colleagues, family and neighbors, and encourage them to sign up today! This will help to inform (and involve) more citizens about the revitalization efforts taking place in our downtown.