Assure America Project Praised

5/9/2011

WEIRTON As economic development continues to be at the forefront of the minds of local businesses and officials, the Weirton Redevelopment Authority is offering raise for the VIEW Program initiated by Assure America.

Officials from Assure America Corp. announced in April the formation of a new program designed to provide funding for local business owners to improve the appearance of business district areas in northern West Virginia. The business to business community development program, according to Assure America President Matt Magnone, will provide matching grants to local business owners to address appearance issues such as painting, signage and landscaping with a promise to provide up to $25,000 in total matching funds for the communities of Weirton, Wellsburg and Chester.

John Greco, a Redevelopment Authority Board member, said he believes it is a great idea and asked how the board could tie into the program. He explained that Magnone’s idea is modeled after the Broken Window’s Initiative started in New York by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The ‘Broken Windows’ theory, he said, is that neglecting small problems sends a negative message to residents and visitors about the overall state of a community.

“The idea behind it is that if we continue to let even the smallest of things slip by, such as a broken window or peeling paint, then we are saying it’s OK that our community looks the way it does,” said Greco.

Over the past few years, the Redevelopment Authority has assisted with several small development projects with Community Development Block Grant funds allocated by Weirton City Council to the group. Of those dollars, Chairman Mark Zatezalo said there is approximately $60,000 remaining that can be invested in the city.

Board member the Rev. Larry Dorsch said the Redevelopment Authority would be the perfect entity to serve as the facilitator to allow public an private investments to come together to continue efforst to improve the city’s look. However, without the support and enforcement of the code established, he said the initiative will not work.

“If we could get three more local businesses to do what Assure America is doing, it could be the start of an initiative to help people help themselves,” said Dorsch, “but what other businesses do that?” Businesses looking to participate in the VIEW Program sponsored by Assure America are asked to complete a one-page application describing the improvement project. In order to be eligible, a business must be located in a designated business district and agree to provide 50 percent of the project cost and all funding will be made on an expense reimbursement basis.

For more information call 304-723-4600.

Source Weirton Daily Times