Gov. Tom Wolf has approved a $200,000 grant-to-loan for the further redevelopment of the Armory in West Chester into the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, writes Malcolm Johnstone for Downtown West Chester.

The funds are already earmarked for the purchase and installation of specialized lighting, as well as new visual and audio equipment. Some of the funds will also be used to create comfortable seating for the audience once the new center is open.

The grant-to-loan, which as the title implies, will actually need to be paid back to the borough at a later date. However, the repaid funds will be put into a revolving fund that can be re-loaned to the West Chester community for economic development purposes.

“The Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is quickly becoming a gem of West Chester’s business district,” said State Senator Andrew Dinniman, who was instrumental in helping to acquire the Armory from the state. “This funding is another incentive to promote business development and drive economic growth, while increasing opportunities for arts and entertainment.”

Read more about the grant from Downtown West Chester here.