From parks to playgrounds, 25 regional projects receiving financial boost
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 PMVB Community Impact Grant, a program created to enhance the quality of life in communities across the region. Since 2022, $1.4 million has been awarded among 156 projects in Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties.
From beautifying small towns and creating community gardens to upgrading parks and refurbishing historical icons, this year 25 projects are receiving a financial boost totaling $199,862. The program is funded through Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars, generated from overnight stays in the Pocono Mountains.
SEE BELOW FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS
“The PMVB Community Impact Grant is one of the many ways that tourism gives back in the Pocono Mountains,” said Chris Barrett, President/CEO, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “Utilizing dollars generated from overnight stays, this is a full circle way of saying ‘thank you’ to the local governments and organizations that host our nearly 30 million annual visitors and make the Poconos a great place to live, work, learn, and play.”
Local governments including, but not limited to, boroughs and townships as well as municipal and redevelopment authorities were eligible to apply for funding to support projects that aim to enhance the quality of life in Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon counties. At least a 50% match was required, with a $20,000 grant cap request.
Once available, information about future rounds of the PMVB Community Impact Grant will be posted at PoconoMountains.com/Grants.
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Recipients of 2025 Community Impact Grant:
|
2025 Round Two Recipients |
Amount |
Project Description |
| Barrett Township | $14,000 | High Acres Park upgrades |
| Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Inc. | $16,000 | Van Scott Nature Reserve “Preview Garden” |
| East Stroudsburg Borough | $ 9,000 | East Stroudsburg Borough Beautification Day |
| Eldred Township Historical Society | $ 4,800 | Historical post office renovations |
| Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company | $ 2,000 | Tree work and landscaping upgrades |
| Grey Towers Heritage Association | $ 1,750 | Seasonal plants and decorations |
| Hawley Borough | $10,000 | Borough beautification and park improvements |
| Jackson Township | $10,000 | New playground equipment and upgrades |
| Jim Thorpe Borough | $10,000 | 2025 tourism planning and management |
| Lackawaxen Township | $12,000 | New signage for municipal building and Sunrise Park |
| Lansford Alive | $ 2,212 | Seasonal beautification |
| Lansford Historical Society | $ 7,500 | Ongoing Lansford Welsh Church restoration efforts |
| Lehighton Downtown Initiative | $ 5,000 | Caboose refurbishment project |
| Middle Smithfield Township | $ 6,200 | Tidy Township program |
| Middle Smithfield Township | $ 4,000 | “Main Street” beautification and revitalization |
| Milford Borough | $ 9,000 | Veterans Memorial Park walkway upgrades |
| Milford Garden Club | $ 4,000 | Milford beautifications |
| Mount Pocono Borough | $10,000 | Winter Wonderland holiday display initiative |
| Mount Pocono Parks and Recreation Foundation | $10,000 | Creation of Downtown Mount Pocono Pocket Park |
| Palmerton Borough | $ 3,500 | Cipco Park clock repairs |
| Pocono Environmental Education Center | $ 5,000 | New signage, landscaping, and outdoor beautification |
| Pocono Township | $ 8,900 | TLC Park lighted fountains, splash pad shading, playground lighting |
| Stroudsburg Borough | $ 8,500 | Additional security bollards for event safety |
| Tunkhannock Township | $ 6,500 | Playground picnic tables |
| Wayne County Commissioners | $20,000 | Indian Orchard Lackawaxen Boat Launch Park |
Grant dollars will help fund a variety of projects intended to support & enhance the quality of the life in Pocono…
Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at (570) 421-5791. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit membership organization. The PMVB is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The PMVB operates the 24/7 Pocono Television Network which can be found on streaming, broadcast and cable.
