HARRISBURG, Pa. — Broad Street Market will soon be the recipient of a $350,000 State Funding Commitment, State Representatives David Madsen and Patty Kim announced Monday.
“We were thinking how can we be helpful? We committed it publicly, we wanted to make sure we delivered, and we found a way to get some money, 350,000 dollars and I know it’s going to be incredibly helpful and instrumental in getting them back on their feet,” said Patty Kim, representing the 103rd District.
The fight for funding started more than a year ago after the brick building burned.
“That’s a number we submitted an application for,” said Eric Hagarty.
Hagarty is Chairperson for the Broad Street Market Board of Directors.
He says the money will be used for several quality-of-life improvements in the stone building.
“We’ve been living paycheck to paycheck at the market here, and again, we haven’t had the funding available to do things like improve the facilities so first time in a long time we’re going to be able to really address some long-standing deferred maintenance needs,” Hagarty said.
The money will also help sustain the market financially during the brick building restoration project.
“This is kind of like a bridge to make sure they don’t go under,” Kim said.
The Market’s financial troubles reached a critical point earlier this year after its former executive director was accused of stealing from the community space.
Several financial controls have since been put in place.
Including dual signatures for expenses and publicly posting bank account transactions.
The Market should receive the grant within the next few months.
“It will most likely come from the department of community and economic development, we have more step to go to get that grant, but it looks very good at this point,” Kim said.
The Market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with over 20 vendors to shop from.
“We love to see folks continue to shop and dine and support our vendors,” Hagarty said.