DSA INC. Group takes first steps toward revitalization

The project could bring in millions of state dollars to improve downtown.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The paperwork is being drawn for the creation of DSA Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the revitalization of the city's downtown business district.
Pennsylvania officials have accepted the corporate name and the IRS is now being asked to grant the group official nonprofit status, said Glenn Siminick, the driving force behind the revitalization effort.
Siminick owns Golden Memories, a jewelry store on West State Street, and is president of the Downtown Sharon Associates, an offshoot of the Greater Sharon Associates created specifically to take on this project.
Bylaws for the group are being written now and Siminick hopes to have all the paperwork in place by the first of the year.
The group has met with Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development representatives who have indicated the project could get more than $7 million in state assistance, Siminick said, adding that no grant funds would be required to match the state money.
The state has suggested that the sole focus of the project be revitalization of the business district, he said. That could include things like storefront renovations, landscaping and pedestrian amenities such as brick intersections and brick trim on sidewalks.
Most of that work is also proposed in a city downtown revitalization plan drafted two years ago.
DSA Inc. has to come up with $90,000 in "good faith" money, a state requirement to show the local business community is behind the effort. That money can be raised over a five-year period, Siminick said.
Board of directors
Siminick announced the names of 10 people who will serve on the board of directors.
Besides himself, the list includes Mayor David O. Ryan; Dr. Thomas Rookey, campus executive officer at Penn State Shenango; Kirk Sieg of First National Bank of Pennsylvania; Bill Banick of Lenbil Inc.; Lew Kachulis of Gilbert's Insurance and Consulting; the Rev. Geraldine Williams of the Ruth AME Zion Church; Mark Jubelirer, president of Reyers Shoe Store; Karen Winner-Hale, chief operating officer of Winner International; and Diane Daffin of Daffin's Candies.
Siminick said the plan is to have the state money flow through DSA Inc., which will allocate funds for various projects.
"This is very preliminary," Ryan said, adding that the state will require DSA Inc. to hire a project manager and could require the employment of a consultant to map out project plans.
He said the entire downtown business district needs to get behind the effort.