Area realtors association partners with West Newton for parks funding

A $7,500 Placemaking grant will be used for signage at West Newton Borough parks.

For the MVI

Enhancing public parks in West Newton is the goal of a $7,500 Placemaking grant awarded to the Realtors Association of Westmoreland Indiana and Mon Valley.

The realtor’ association will use the funds for wayfinding signage directing cyclists, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the amenities of West Newton Borough parks.

Wayfinding is a popular concept downtowns and cities are using to brand their economic core, recreational amenities, and to create a sense of place at the same time.

The grant, awarded by the National Association of Realtors, was designed to encourage local realtor associations to partner with other neighboring organizations to plan, organize, implement and maintain lighter, quicker, cheaper placemaking projects in their communities “The Realtors Association of Westmoreland Indiana and Mon Valley is proud to help improve the communities we call home, where we all live, work and volunteer,” said Tony Molnar-Strejcek, president of the Realtors Association of Westmoreland Indiana and Mon Valley. “The association has received $55,000 in grant funds from the National Association of Realtors this year. Funds have gone towards sponsoring several events and organizations within our two-county footprint. In Indiana County, we invested in the 8th Street Charette and will sponsor the Indiana Regional Development Conference. In Westmoreland County, we sponsored the Land Bank and Redevelopment Authority’s spring and fall conferences.”

Molnar-Strejcek said later this year, they will sponsor a commercial real estate event in partnership with Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, Westmoreland County Industrial Corporation, and Westmoreland Economic Growth Connection.

“In addition, the association supported Westmoreland Community Action’s money management program and held programing with our membership to assist with their affordable housing project in Monessen,” Molnar-Strejcek said. “We have also held education and networking events for our members and brokers. Our association is excited to be a catalyst for revitalization in West Newton, and it’s been a pleasure to work with them.”

NAR offers Placemaking grants to state and local realtor associations around the country to create new public spaces and destinations in a community, such as turning a parking spot into a people spot (parklet) or a vacant lot into a pocket park or garden.

“This project with RAWIM reflects exactly what placemaking is all about by creating inviting, easy-to-navigate spaces that bring people together and strengthen local pride,” said West Newton Borough Council President Jason Cooper.

“This project and signs will help connect our parks, our downtown, and our trail assets into one cohesive experience. We are also proud to partner with Contemporary Design, a local company in West Newton, to produce these beautiful signs keeping this investment right here in our community. West Newton is excited to see the impact this will have for years to come.”

“The Realtors Association of Westmoreland, Indiana and Mon Valley is proud to help improve the communities we call home, where we all live, work and volunteer.”

TONY MOLNAR-STREJCEK

REALTORS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT