Grants available for Monongahela, New Eagle businesses

They must be located along the Main Street and Railroad Street corridors.

Small business owners in Monongahela and New Eagle will soon have another tool to invest in their future thanks to a new grant program offering up to $5,000 for operational and property improvements.

The Mon Valley Alliance Foundation, through the cfsbank Business Resource Center, has received funding to support a new Business Improvement Grant Program for businesses in Monongahela and New Eagle.

The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Main Street Matters program.

Created by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration in 2024, the statewide initiative is designed to revitalize downtown business districts, support small businesses, strengthen local economies and encourage investment in community business corridors across Pennsylvania.

The award for the MVAF will support a new Business Improvement Grant Program for local businesses in Monongahela and New Eagle.

Through the new grant program, eligible small businesses and commercial property owners along the Main Street and Railroad Street corridors in Monongahela and New Eagle will have access to microgrants of up to $5,000 for operational improvement projects.

Eligible uses include interior renovations, software and technology upgrades, branding and marketing initiatives, business training and capital purchases. Awarded projects will require a dollar-for-dollar match.

MVA CEO Jamie Colecchi said the grant program comes as local entrepreneurs continue to invest in the region.

“The Mon Valley continues to see growing momentum from entrepreneurs and small business owners who are investing in our communities,” Colecchi said. “This funding provides a meaningful opportunity to directly support local businesses with projects that improve operations, strengthen their spaces, and help position them for long-term success. Strong Main Streets are essential to the continued revitalization and economic growth of our communities.”

The Business Improvement Grant Program will focus on businesses with physical storefronts located within the designated Main Street and Railroad Street corridors in Monongahela and New Eagle.

The program was developed in response to ongoing demand for accessible funding and technical assistance opportunities for small businesses throughout the region.

MVA Director of Strategy and Development Abigail Stark said discussions with local business owners highlighted the challenges many face when trying to fund improvements and expansion efforts.

“Working with businesses throughout this process has reinforced how important these types of funding opportunities are for communities like Monongahela and New Eagle,” Stark said. “Many small businesses have the vision and drive to grow but face the challenge of accessing resources for operational improvements, technology upgrades, marketing or facility enhancements.

“Programs like this help bridge that gap while also connecting businesses to technical support and guidance through the application and implementation process.”

To help prospective applicants prepare, MVAF will host public workshops at the cfsbank Business Resource Center in the coming months.

The workshops will cover program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application assistance.

Daytime and evening sessions will be offered to accommodate business owners’ schedules and will be open to eligible businesses located along Main Street and Railroad Street in Monongahela and New Eagle.

Additional details regarding workshop dates, application timelines and eligibility requirements will be announced in the coming weeks through the Mon Valley Alliance Foundation and the cfsbank Business Resource Center.

For more information about MVAF and the cfsbank Business Resource Center, visit mvabrc.org.