Strand effort gets grant

Article published December 9, 2005

ZELIENOPLE — Aesthetically, the Strand Theater hasn't changed much since the addition of its new marquee almost a year ago. Financially, though, the theater renovation project took a step forward Thursday when it was awarded a $400,000 state grant. Under the theater's Main Street marquee on Thursday, state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, presented the Strand Theater Initiative with the over-sized check and hopes the project will spur interest in Butler County. She said the project to restore the aging Main Street theater stood out from the other projects presented to the state. "This one really came to the forefront," she said. Orie thanked the initiative's director, Ron Carter, and the rest of its volunteers for their work to restore the theater, as its presence will revitalize not just Zelienople, but the whole northern Pittsburgh region. "This is a beacon now," she said. For Carter, the presentation was the result of almost four years of work trying to secure funding for the theater's revival. Since its inception, he said the initiative has worked hard to raise funds. "Everyone here knows it's quite a long road that we hoed," he said. Although Carter said there are no specific plans for how to use the money, it will help the initiative's quest to secure more funding through foundations. The $600,000 already raised helped get the state redevelopment grant. All those funds, Carter said, will go a long way in getting more funding for the project. Carter also thanked the hard work of the initiative's volunteers, whose work has kept the project alive. Started in June 2002, when the group bought the theater, the Strand Initiative has raised funds through seat sponsorships and other events to try and reach the $2 million goal. In the end, Carter and the initiative hopes the theater will become an arts and cultural center. Thus far, though, the most visible work to the theater has been to its marquee and façade. But after Thursday's announcement, Carter is confident the project will continue and succeed. "We will see this thing all the way to the end," he said.