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Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Announces $8K Grant for Ferguson Township to Promote Route 45 Getaways

The funds were awarded on Monday, May 23, 2022 via Happy Valley Agventures at RE Farm Cafe.
Posted on: May 26, 2022 - 4:07pm
Route 45 Getaways!

A partnership between the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, known as Happy Valley AgVentures, awarded over $220,000 to twenty-seven Centre County farms, farm stands and agricultural businesses to enhance their visitor experience.

Of those twenty-seven awardees was Ferguson Township, which was awarded:

"Ferguson Township – $8,000 for infrastructure needs for Route 45 Getaways participants, Tourist
Oriented Directional (TOD) signage, banner displays"

These specific funds are to be implemented to create ample signage and promotional displays to advertise the Route 45 Getaways! event.

Route 45 Getaways! aims to connect townships and boroughs along Route 45 in Centre County, from Pine Grove Mills in the West to Millheim Borough in the East, in order to showcase all the great restaurants, businesses, and fun along the famous state route. Over 35 businessed participated in the inaugural event, and more plan to join in this year's week-long celebration in 2022, which begins on July 30 and extends until August 7, 2022.

The Committee has allotted 5 TODS to be used by Route 45 Getaways participating businesses and one pair of footers and poles per village (Pine Grove Mills, Boalsburg, and Millheim).

Tourist Oriented Directional Signing (TODS) helps businesses reach their targeted audience—the traveling public. TODS are installed on local State and Municipal roadways for businesses located within 5 miles from the intersection of a local State or municipal road. The State also includes requirements for types of businesses, per https://palogo.org/tods-program/tods-general-eligibility/

Jenna Wargo, Planning & Zoning Director for Ferguson Township and Member of the 2022 Route 45 Getaways! Steering Committee stated, 

“A key element of the Route 45 Getaways! Event is the recognition of the longstanding, character-defining, independent businesses that contribute to our cultural expression. These funds will help showcase the local businesses that participate in the Route 45 Getaways! Event in an effort to increase visitation and maintain their economic wellbeing.”

For a full list of participating businesses in the 2022 installment of Route 45 Getaways! see the link here.