Economic Development in Knox & Franklin, PA
Boosting the local economy and creating an environment where current residents thrive and newcomers are enticed to live, work, and play
The McElhattan Foundation is committed to Knox and Franklin, PA's economic prosperity and overall well-being. With the McElhattan family's roots in these communities, we prioritize initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and enhancing the local environment to ensure that both towns flourish.
Our focus lies in supporting projects that boost the local economy and create an environment where current residents thrive and newcomers are enticed to live, work, and play. We invest in initiatives that improve job opportunities, enhance educational resources, and impact quality of life for all residents.
Our approach to economic development is asset-based, which involves leveraging the region's existing strengths and resources. For Knox and Franklin, this means capitalizing on the area's natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, educational institutions, and manufacturing sector. We aim to stimulate sustainable economic growth and community development by building on these current assets.
What We Fund
We are most interested in projects that involve workforce development, fostering entrepreneurship and business growth, tourism promotion, and expanding access to broadband, healthcare, and childcare.
Before submitting the How to Apply form below, we strongly encourage you to:
Familiarize yourself with state and regional economic development priorities and resources, such as Pennsylvania Gets it Done, Clarion County 2030 Economic Development Strategy, and Venango County's Comprehensive Plan.
Explore the principles of place-based economic development, as this approach guides our funding priorities.
Learn more about recent initiatives we have supported, including Knox’s Main Street Revitalization, the Northwest Commission's Northwest PA Broadband Coordination efforts, and PennWest Clarion's Local Internship Initiative.
Our Priorities
While organizations serving Knox and Franklin within a broader geographical scope are eligible for funding, we prioritize projects directly benefiting these communities. In your Request for Information (RFI), you will be asked to estimate the percentage of funds allocated specifically to economic and community development in Knox and/or Franklin.
How to Apply
Please answer the following questions to determine the next steps for your application: