GU News Archives - Page 9 of 12 - Germantown United CDC

Working to Keep Germantown Clean

Germantown United CDC’s corridor cleaning team joined the Philadelphia Commerce Department and elected officials to celebrate the hard work and great achievements of all 200+ PHL Taking Care of Business Corridor Cleaning Program (PHL TCB) ambassadors from around the city at a Pep Rally on Earth Day.

*Mayor Jim Kenney speaks at the TCB Rally, April 22, 2022*

In neighborhoods across Philadelphia, PHL TCB cleaning is carried out by small crews of uniformed Cleaning Ambassadors deployed along scheduled cleaning routes identified by the City and local community organizations. Some organizations hire their own staff to perform the cleaning, other organizations contract with a private cleaning provider. In Germantown, our partners are Depaul USA and Friends of Germantown NW, two Germantown-based groups.

All PHL TCB Cleaning Ambassadors earn a minimum of $15 per hour and receive paid workforce training opportunities to equip them to perform their jobs and help them advance in their careers.

Earlier this month, Commerce released a report prepared by the policy research firm Econsult Solutions sharing the 2021 impact of the TCB program in meeting its four main goals:

Making commercial districts in Philadelphia neighborhoods cleaner.
Promoting the economic success of neighborhood businesses by creating an inviting environment for shoppers.
Creating work opportunities for Philadelphians.
Growing the capacity of local small businesses and organizations that provide cleaning services.

The results? Cleaner corridors, satisfied merchants and shoppers, quality jobs created, and greater opportunities for local cleaning firms.

*Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams (L) with Germantown United CDC’s Matthew George (R)*

Buy Local Germantown shopping campaign

Buy Local Germantown shopping campaign lifts up and shines a light on the important role small businesses play in our community

Happening now through Jan. 2023, the Buy Local Germantown campaign features profiles of local business owners, an inside look at shops and products for sale, special offers and shopping events, pop-ups, and winter holiday celebrations. Also included are ways to support our non-profit infrastructure during the holiday season.

Community-minded businesses are true assets to the neighborhood and our local economy. This is just a small taste of all that Germantown has to offer! Our goal is a simple paradigm shift – you don’t need to always leave the neighborhood to shop, dine, give, enjoy time with friends and family. Spend your dollars here to support positive change and sustain revitalization.

Business owner **Crystal Jackson** shows off a sweatshirt at **Perfectly Flawless (**5312 Germantown Ave) to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. This black-owned boutique sells sophisticated, edgy, women’s apparel. Photo by Steven CW Taylor, Ubuntu Fine Art.

Join the movement

Easy ways residents, businesses and organizations can help spread the word about the importance of buying and giving locally!

1. Share the link to the Buy Local Germantown page on social media, in emails, texts with your friends and neighbors and encourage them to buy local! New businesses are added daily. Remember, this is just a partial list. Germantown is home to hundreds of terrific small businesses. You can do your part to keep dollars in our community by shopping at any small business in Germantown.

2. Use the campaign hashtag #BuyLocalGermantown! Businesses, use the tag in posts about your business and available products. Shoppers, tag to show off purchases and share your fave businesses.

3. Get to know local business owners and organizations, and see what they have to offer, follow the campaign on GU’s Instagram and Facebook pages – like, comment and share our posts. Look out for special newsletters like this (and encourage people in your network to sign-up for GU’s mailing list to get news directly).

A look at participating businesses

Hafiz Sisters Beauty Supply
59 W Chelten Ave, 19144
Black-owned, Family-owned
hafizsistersbeautysupply.com
follow: FB, IG

This shop specializes in Black hair products, tools and accessories, and extensions. It is owned by Attiya Flournoy and Zainab Moore, the Hafiz Sisters! Their husbands, Jerrell Flournoy and Thomas Moore, are co-owners, often working alongside them in the shop. It’s all in the family. In December, the shop will offer special discounts, gift items and baskets for the holidays. They also sell gift cards. Make it your business to support this young, family-owned biz now and year round.

Aaliyah’s Beautique
6352 Germantown Ave, 19144
267-668-6965
Black-owned, Women-owned
aaliyahsbeautique.com
follow: IG

On Monday, Dec. 19, 12-7PM, stop in for the Sip & Shop experience at Aaliyah’s Beautique. Shop a fabulous selection of jewelry, handbags, apparel and much more for yourself or that favorite someone, while enjoying complimentary wine, hot chocolate, and hors d’oeuvres. Attendees on that day will receive 10% off their entire purchase. Be sure to say hello to business owner Tameka Austin-McGee! While you’re there, check out Aaliyah’s festive window display, decorated with one of GU’s complimentary Seasonal Holiday Decoration Kits! Details on our decorating contest are included below.

The KDD Theatre
5427 Germantown Ave, 19144
267-331-9236
Black-owned, Women-owned
kddtheatre.com, follow: IG

A black box performance space and dance studio. Currently on view through Dec. 20: Supine Horizons, curated by Nicole Pollard. Tickets are free for this immersive installation for rest, resistance and renewal, featuring synthesized sound and projected visuals by local multimedia artist Gralin Hughes, Jr. (Television Sky).
The KDD Theatre is also home to Kinesics Dance Dynamics dance studio, owned and operated by Kristen Clark. KDD offers structured leveled classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern styles to movers ages 2 through adult.
Suggested reading: Power nap: ‘Supine Horizons’ promotes the political urgency of taking a break at Germantown installation [WHYY]

Truelove Seeds
trueloveseeds.com, follow: IG

Cyber Monday is over but Germantown businesses reliant on online sales need customers. Truelove Seeds grows 50% of the culturally important, open pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seeds sold in their catalogue. The rest come from 55 small farms in Philly and beyond, all linked by shared values of community food sovereignty, ancestral seed preservation and sustainable agriculture. You can support by purchasing seeds and print items online. Their beautiful 2023 wall calendar is now on sale!
Pictured: Co-Founders (and Germantown residents!) Chris Bolden-Newsome and Owen Taylor. Photo by Neal Santos.

If you own a local business (including online, vendors, creators) or non-profit in 19144 or 19138, fill out this questionnaire to join. It’s quick!

About the campaign

Germantown United CDC officially launched the campaign on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26), kicking off with a walking tour of seven businesses along the Germantown Avenue corridor with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, his fiancé Letitia Santarelli, and an entourage of city officials and employees, including Councilmember Cindy Bass who represents Germantown, Philadelphia Department of Commerce Director Anne Nadol, and GU’s Executive Director Emaleigh Doley and Business Development Manager Matthew George. The Mayor’s visit was covered by WHYY, generating positive buzz for all of Germantown’s business community. Check out the full story and stream the radio segment featuring interviews with G-town business owners. Thanks to journalist Sammy Caiola for coming out to Germantown!

A brief excerpt from the WHYY story:

Germantown business leaders launched the shopping season with multiple Small Business Saturday events, hoping to entice consumers who might be wary considering signs of a possible economic downturn. The largely-Black neighborhood — which has a rich anti-slavery history — has seen investment and revitalization in recent years, particularly along the Germantown Avenue corridor.

“Really it’s a kept gem in Philadelphia,” said Matthew George, business development manager for the Germantown United Community Development Corporation. He said local businesses have benefited from a combination of neighborhood cleanup efforts and assistance from the City of Philadelphia.

“I’ve seen the energy change,” he said. “I’ve seen the avenue come alive. We always look to these other neighborhoods as, ‘Oh, we should have something like that,’ and what I see is the business owners in this area wanting that as well and creating their own renaissance.”

Access the full story on WHYY >>

Buy Local Germantown

Reflecting on a Meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Thanks to everyone who joined our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event on January 23rd!

We had an AMAZING and INSPIRING group of volunteers turn out for our cleanup of the Central Germantown business district. We collected over 75 bags of trash in three hours! We’re talking big heavy duty contractor bags filled with trash littering our streets… Sad but true. Still, an impressive haul!

This event would not have been possible without our community partners and sponsors. Please show them some love!

Partners:

I Love Thy Hood
Friends of Germantown NW
Depaul USA
With support from the City of Philadelphia‘s PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program

Sponsors:

Hafiz Sisters Beauty Supply (59 W Chelten Ave)
Germantown Bicycle Supply (5901 Wayne Ave Unit 3)
Attic Brewing Company (137 Berkley St)
Pik-A-Panel True Value Hardware Store (5000 Germantown Ave)

Check out this sweet video posted by GU’s Business Development Manager Matthew George AKA @ilovethyhood, which captures the energy of the day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZxALoUJy56/

Join Our Team: Resident Services Coordinator – Empower Your Community!

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? Do you thrive on helping others access essential resources and opportunities? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GU) is seeking a motivated and resourceful Resident Services Coordinator to lead our efforts in grassroots community organizing and resident empowerment.

The Role: Resident Services Coordinator

As a Resident Services Coordinator at GU, you will play a crucial role in connecting residents with vital resources and support. You will lead our participation in the citywide network of Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) Program organizations, working closely with the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Responsibilities:

Provide information and referral services to residents, assisting with application completion and ensuring access to essential programs.
Develop and implement programs and resources that enhance the well-being of our community residents.
Focus on initiatives to preserve affordable housing, prevent tax and mortgage foreclosure, and promote resources for tax relief, home repair, utility assistance, financial and housing counseling, and workforce development.
Support resident engagement in neighborhood planning activities, zoning, and development issues.

We’re looking for someone who is:

Resourceful and ambitious, with a passion for empowering community residents.
Experienced in program development and service coordination.
A strong communicator and collaborator, able to work effectively with residents, partners, and stakeholders.

If you’re ready to empower your community and take on a rewarding role, we want to hear from you!

To apply, and learn about other open positions, visit: germantownunitedcdc.org/about/careers

Request for Proposals: Evaluation Consultant

Germantown United CDC is currently hiring.

Evaluation Services
Download the complete RFP
Date posted: January 14, 2020

Project Goals and Scope of Services:
With the recent move of our inaugural Executive Director into a part-time role, GUCDC is seeking support with the organization’s executive transition plan, in order to position GUCDC to best implement our mission, serve the Germantown community, and improve operations to maximize efficiency.

We seek consultancy support to conduct an intensive assessment of GUCDC’s organizational structure, financial position and management systems, operational processes and policies, programmatic initiatives, and stakeholder perspectives as they relate to GU’s mission.

Following the assessment we seek a comprehensive report that provides feedback and recommendations to support the organization through an executive transition, including an analysis of the organization’s financial position and recommendations for financial restructuring, human resource planning and staffing needs, the streamlining of administrative systems, mechanisms for reporting and communications, and organizational structure and culture overall. The report should include activities, goals, timeline and projected costs.

The consultant will have the support of GU’s small but dedicated team, which includes (3) full-time employees and a volunteer board of directors comprised of Germantown residents and representatives of local business, educational and service institutions.

The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:
Request for RFP: January 14, 2020
Deadline for Bidders to Submit Questions: January 16, 2020
GUCDC Responds to Bidder Questions: January 18, 2020
Bids Due to GUCDC: January 22, 2020
Selection of Top Bidders / Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders: January 24, 2020
Procurement Contact Person: Julie Stapleton Carroll, Board President
Telephone Number of PCP: 215.828.5176
Email Address of PCP: [email protected]

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We Are Here: COVID-19 Community Update

We hope this message finds you healthy and safe during this crisis.

The city has been grappling with community spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia for over two months now. We need to be vigilant and keep taking precautions to prevent spread of the infection to our families, friends, and neighbors here in Germantown.

Germantown United CDC is compiling resources available to help our community sustain the COVID-19 pandemic. As a service to residents and the local business community, we have published a new page on our website where you can access this vital information.

https://vra.rnu.mybluehost.me/covid-19/

click to access COVID-19 Germantown Resources

How to reach us

GUCDC staff members began working remotely in mid-March and will continue to do so until it’s safe to reopen our office. Staff are available to answer questions and help Germantown residents and business owners navigate and access resources that have been made available in response to the pandemic. To speak to a member of our staff, call the office at 215-856-4303 and leave a detailed message. Staff can access voicemail remotely and will return your call promptly. We will make ourselves available to you by phone and through virtual video/chat meetings.

Staff contact list

Emaleigh Doley
Executive Director
Ext. 101 | [email protected]

Josanne Ford
Administrator
Ext. 102 | [email protected]

Rhakeim Miller
Neighborhood Advisory Committee Manager
Ext. 103 | [email protected]

RFP: Communications Consultant

Germantown United CDC is hiring!

Communications Consultant

Job Type: Consultant
Reports to: Executive Director
Request for RFP issued: October 5, 2020
Proposals Due to GUCDC: November 30, 2020 – Deadline extended! (Original date: November 12)

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is seeking a communications consultant who will communicate on all of GUCDC’s platforms, including email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the organization’s webpage. In addition, the consultant will update the webpage and create marketing materials for the organization. The goals will be to effectively communicate GUCDC’s information in a timely manner and to increase our reach into the Germantown community through the most effective cost efficient means possible.

GUCDC strongly encourages proposals from Germantown but it is not the sole selection criteria.

Project goals:

We seek a communications professional who will take information that needs to communicated from GUCDC staff and create authentic communications. The communications consultant will find the best possible ways to inform the community of our events, programs, and mission. Consultant must specifically respond to the realities of how neighbors get information. Duties will include:

Development and management of Communications Calendar for a full year.
Communicate the authentic story and purpose of GUCDC that will be used across all platforms.
Increase our name recognition in the Germantown community.
Write communications on various platforms on a regular basis, communicating special events, programs, and basic information about GUCDC.
As appropriate, find avenues of communications through traditional media, such as radio, television, block captains, and newspapers.
Develop print materials, such as fliers and an information trifold or postcard on GUCDC.
Work with the Executive Director to develop content requirements and structured templates.
Assist the Executive Director in clarifying the target audience(s), purpose and reach of each communication vehicle (website, newsletters, and social media channels)

To apply: Download a PDF of the RFP. Respondents to this RFP must submit their proposal via email to [email protected]. Responses must be received no later than COB Thursday, November 12, 2020. Responses should be clearly marked “RFP-Communications Consultant.”

[ct_button url=”https://vra.rnu.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RFP-GUCDC-Communications-Consultant.pdf” color=”#FFFFFF” background=”#666666″ gradient=”#444444″ description=”Download” size=”medium” position=”none” icon=”briefcase” target=”” rel=””]Download[/ct_button]

It is easy being green

GU’s Second Annual Forum is May 8, 2013 6-9pm at Flying Horse Center 312-316 West Chelten Avenue. Come see how you can make Germantown more Sustainable. Opening remarks by Councilwoman Cindy Bass. Space is limited, so please RSVP: [email protected].

PANELISTS

Robert Fleming Director of Sustainable Design at Philadelphia University. Dwayne Wharton Director of External Affairs, The Food Trust. Kelly Maillie PHS Roots to Re-Entry -Green Job Training and Placement Program Aine Doley and Emaleigh Doley, sisters and co-organizers of the W Rockland Street Project, a citizen-driven effort to revitalize one street in Southwest. Vivian Nabeta Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of New Haven, Connecticut, where they’ve launch Project Storefronts. Zack Bird, a Germantown-based artist and muralist who has developed a method to use faux finishing to cover graffiti. Christine Knapp, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Philadelphia Water Department.

TRADE SHOW PARTICIPANTS

Awbury Arboretum
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
Friends of Vernon Park
Kelly Green
PhilaNOMA
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
Sustainable Business Network
Tookany-Tacony-Frankford Watershed (TTF)
Wyck Historic House and Garden

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, July 8, 2017, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Eat, Shop, Play, Learn & Experience Germantown!
Presented by Historic Germantown & Germantown United CDC

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA – The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue). Rain or shine. (Event rescheduled from previous date of May 13 due to weather.)

The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Scenes from the 2016 Germantown Second Saturday Festival.

Performance

Throughout the day, musicians, poets, and creative performing artists will take to the main stage on Germantown Avenue.

The headlining performance by The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble will close out the event with an hour-long show. The troupe is sensational and electrifying, and features amazing stilt walkers, dancers, drummers, and ground masquerades with an exciting acrobatic performance. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble represents the beauty of African culture and is considered one of the best of its kind by scholars and African Djelis (historians).

Musical talent includes popular local artists: Danie Ocean Band, Jim and Andrew Dragoni, and many others. Germantown resident Yolanda Wisher, the City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, will host the festivities.

Pictured: 1. Yolanda Wisher, City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate
(Photo by Jill Saull); 2. & 3. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble; 4. Jim Dragoni; 5. Twin Poets Nnamdi Chukwuocha & Albert Mills (Photo by Cylinda McCloud-Keal); 6. Wissahickon Dance School (Photo by Jill Saull).

Thank You to Our Amazing Lineup!

Yolanda Wisher, Host, City of Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate
Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Headliner
Danie Ocean and Band (neo soul singer/songwriter)
Jim and Andrew Dragoni (guitar & percussion organ)
The Twin Poets (Nnamdi Chukwuocha & Albert Mills, Delaware’s Poet Laureate)
Wissahickon Dance Academy (dance performance)
Karen Smith and Friends (percussionist)
The Tia McNeil Band (R&B)
The Kama-Sahlor Group (hip/hop & modern inspirational dance)
Bria Jordan (youth poet)
And more!

Family Fun

The family-friendly Festival will also feature a Kid Zone with moon bounce, face painting, and many art-fueled interactive activities. The Germantown Artists Roundtable will invite festival-goers to create a work of art they can take home at the Imagination Station. The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Techmobile will be on-site with books and lots of learning opportunities.

History

Visitors will learn about Historic Germantown’s 16 extraordinary historic houses, destinations, and museums, including Awbury Arboretum, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Grumblethrope, and Wyck.

The two sites located within the festival grounds, the Germantown Historical Society and Deshler-Morris House (The Germantown Whitehouse), will be open for tours. At the Historical Society, visitors can view the Elephants on the Avenue Gallery Show featuring work by Sonia Sanchez, Barbara Bullock, Benjamin Volta, Yolanda Wisher, Diane Pieri, Ife Nii Owoo and local community members. Learn more at freedomsbackyard.com.

PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON lived here twice, to seek refuge from the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia and as a summer retreat for the First Family in 1794. This National Park Service site also interprets over three centuries of Germantown history, the 1777 Battle of Germantown and former owners of this historic house, including the Morris family.

Eat + Shop

Over 25 vendors will participate in the Art & Craft Vendor Marketplace, coordinated by Germantown United CDC. Local eateries and visiting food trucks including Uptown BBQ Grill, Sweet Lavender, Hardy Funnel Cakes, and The Lunchbox will be serving up good eats. Attendees can also get to know many of Germantown’s civic and community organizations, including Friends of Vernon Park, Germantown Life Enrichment Center, and others.

This is the second year Germantown United CDC and Historic Germantown have partnered on the Festival to bring renewed attention and interest to a little-used neighborhood park and public space, and kick-off Historic Germantown’s monthly Second Saturday series.

The festival will be held rain or shine!

Festival Parking, Public Transit, and Road Closures

The festival is accessible by SEPTA. Bus Routes: 23 Bus, XH Bus; Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail: Germantown Station (150 E Chelten Ave). Visit http://www.septa.org for schedules.

Street parking is available near the festival grounds.

Limited free off-street parking is also available. Festival parking is permissible at the Citizens Bank Lot at 5500 Germantown Ave (enter from W School House Ln).

Road closures: Germantown Avenue between School House Lane & Coulter Street, and the unit block of E Church Lane will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

About

Historic Germantown
Historic Germantown is a partnership organization serving historic sites in Philadelphia’s Old German Township that works collaboratively to preserve its extraordinary historic assets, increase access, interpret them to the public and raise their visibility. Learn more at freedomsbackyard.com.

Germantown United CDC
The mission of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business corridors in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

# # #

Press Contacts

To request interviews and high-resolution photos, please contact:

Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC
215-856-4303, [email protected]

Trapeta Mayson, Executive Director, Historic Germantown
215-844-1683, Ext. 101, [email protected]

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Germantown Special Services District

Kurtz Construction Company

Univest

Germantown Friends School

Nolan Painting

Germantown United CDC is receives year-round support by:

Philly Office Retail, Post Brothers Apartments, Harvest Equities, Bracken Leadership, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Berkshire Hathahway-Lorretta Witt, Pik-A-Panel True Value Hardware, Germantown Friends School, David Hamme, and the Drumcliff Foundation. Thanks also to PNC Regional Foundation, Allen Hilles Fund, 1772 Foundation, Philadelphia Activities Fund, Wells Fargo Corporate Foundation, Key Bank, and City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce

Presented by National Geographic & American Express

Vote for Germantown, the only finalist in the entire state of Pennsylvania, to receive up to $150,000 in grant funding from American Express.

DOWNLOAD PDF of PRESS RELEASE >>

PHILADELPHIA — September 25, 2017 … As a finalist in the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign, Germantown United Community Development Corporation encourages the public to visit VoteYourMainStreet.org/Germantown to help Germantown United CDC secure funding to preserve two buildings on Germantown Avenue’s business corridor: Parker Hall (5801 Germantown Ave) and John Trower’s building (5706 Germantown Ave). Germantown is the only neighborhood in Philadelphia and the entire state of Pennsylvania participating in this competition.

With the awarded funds, this project will provide necessary facade and structural improvements to these two significant 20th-century African-American historic sites. The history of both buildings dates to the 1870s. Today, Parker Hall contains the office of Dr. Althea Hankins, MD, and the ACES Museum, which pays tribute to multi-ethnic contributions to the U.S. Military in WWII. The museum hosts veterans groups from throughout the country. John Trower’s building is home to the Crab House restaurant, a popular local business. Restoring these facades will benefit these businesses, bolster the historic appeal of Germantown, and increase community pride by highlighting the contributions of African-Americans to the history and culture of this country, in an underserved African-American urban community.

Germantown United CDC’s mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and it’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative and community driven approach to economic development. GUCDC believes that Germantown’s history and built environment are economic assets upon which to rebuild Germantown’s economy and create equitable economic development. After decades of decline, there are signs of improvement and vibrancy in Germantown.

Partners in Preservation is a community-based partnership, created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express, to raise awareness of the importance of preserving historic places and their role in sustaining local communities.

Partners in Preservation: Main Streets will award $2 million in grant funding from American Express to Main Street districts in need of preservation support across America. The public will determine which sites will receive funding by voting for their favorite main streets through October 31 at VoteYourMainStreet.org, the online voting portal hosted by National Geographic Travel.

Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House Weekend

Germantown United CDC will host a public Open House Weekend event at their new storefront office, located at 5320 Germantown Avenue, on Saturday, October 7 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. to highlight the importance of Main Street preservation efforts in Philadelphia. The Open House will coincide with the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, a neighborhood-wide event honoring the legacy of the Battle of Germantown. Germantown United CDC is one of 25 historic Main Street districts across the country participating in the Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Open House Weekend.

Why Main Street Matters

According to 2016 data from Main Street America, investments in Main Street districts have a significant impact on local economies – encouraging real estate development as well as the creation of new businesses and jobs. In 2016, $4.65 billion reinvested in Main Street improvement programs resulted in 8,042 building rehabilitations, 5,616 business openings, and 27,462 new jobs.

Furthermore, according to a recent study from Morning Consult of 2,201 Americans commissioned by American Express, 79 percent of Americans say that preserving Main Street is important. Additionally, 79 percent of Americans say that the idea of Main Street is what makes America beautiful. Main Street is also seen as vital in connecting Americans to their local community – 82 percent of Americans say that Main Street is important to their ability to socialize with others in a community. A similar amount, 86 percent, say that Main Street is important to the well-being and the enjoyment of a community.

For more information and to vote daily for Germantown United CDC through October 31, visit VoteYourMainStreet.org and share the love via social media using #VoteYourMainStreet and #VoteGermantown.

###

Media Contact:
Jack Cotter
[email protected]
215.867.8060

About Germantown United Community Development Corporation

The mission of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

About Partners in Preservation

Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awards preservation grants to historic places across the country.

Through this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural places. The program also hopes to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic places at the heart of their communities.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com, and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: charge and credit cards, business credit cards, Plenti rewards program, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, corporate card, business travel, and corporate responsibility.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, works to save America’s historic places: www.savingplaces.org.

About Main Street America

Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

About National Geographic Partners LLC

National Geographic Partners LLC, a joint venture between National Geographic Society and 21^st Century Fox, combines National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic Studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, catalog, licensing and e-commerce businesses. A portion of the proceeds from National Geographic Partners LLC will be used to fund science, exploration, conservation and education through significant ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society. For more information, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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