About Us
The Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation (NGCDC), based in Greensboro, PA, is a nonprofit organization that works with regional groups to cultivate the community's preservation of history and culture. The Corporation's focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues, as well as making measurable changes within the community through partnerships with schools, government agencies, voluntary and neighborhood associations, businesses, financial institutions, community development corporations, faith organizations, etc.
NGCDC supports the idea that many rural communities have the ability to become self-sustaining in the "new economy" presented by the internet. Through this medium many individual, organizations and businesses can exchange ideas, services and even products without forsaking the quality of life rural America offers.
History of the Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation
In 1994, Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation was registered with the State of Pennsylvania as a nonprofit corporation, chartered to support the preservation of cultural activities and history in the area. Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation was organized in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, as a response to the Army Corps of Engineers destruction of the town and particularly the historic buildings after the flood of 1985.
The Foundation stepped into a second stage of organizational growth in 2001 with a fresh administration and renewed interest in community based activities and awareness.
During the years 1994-1999 the vision of the organization expanded to serving the community in various ways.
Members:
From 1998 to 2004 the Foundation was inactive, mainly because of the dissatisfaction with what the Corps had done to the town. The Trail Project became almost impossible because of the lack of cooperation of land owners to allow the Trail to cross their property. After becoming a 501(C)(3), NGHF adopted a more proactive stance with cultural and historic preservation, beginning with the development of an event series designed to create awareness around cultural assets each community contains.
In 2004, a group of town's people showed an interest in reorganizing and began holding regular monthly meetings. The by-laws and articles of incorporation were rewritten. The goal was to promote projects and activities which foster and encourage economic, cultural and educational development. The members wanted to build on the past history of Pottery, so we focused on Art and Craft as a way of revitalization of Greensboro.
Since 2004, the organization:
Recently, in respect to the ongoing efforts of the Foundation and a sense of renewed level of civic engagement, the Borough of Greensboro was approved for the Elm Street designation through the State's Main Street program. Through this program, the community can address opportunities to improve its own infrastructure.
The organization has big plans for the future and is always looking for new members.
In 2014, the NGHF changed it's name to the Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation (NGCDC).
The Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation (NGCDC), based in Greensboro, PA, is a nonprofit organization that works with regional groups to cultivate the community's preservation of history and culture. The Corporation's focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues, as well as making measurable changes within the community through partnerships with schools, government agencies, voluntary and neighborhood associations, businesses, financial institutions, community development corporations, faith organizations, etc.
NGCDC supports the idea that many rural communities have the ability to become self-sustaining in the "new economy" presented by the internet. Through this medium many individual, organizations and businesses can exchange ideas, services and even products without forsaking the quality of life rural America offers.
History of the Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation
In 1994, Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation was registered with the State of Pennsylvania as a nonprofit corporation, chartered to support the preservation of cultural activities and history in the area. Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation was organized in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, as a response to the Army Corps of Engineers destruction of the town and particularly the historic buildings after the flood of 1985.
The Foundation stepped into a second stage of organizational growth in 2001 with a fresh administration and renewed interest in community based activities and awareness.
During the years 1994-1999 the vision of the organization expanded to serving the community in various ways.
Members:
- Served on the Mon view Park Board. The park is a lovely asset that the community operated for 50 years before turning it over to the County in 2006.
- Organized community Christmas decoration projects, summer art festivals, community church services, community choir and community newsletters.
- Secured a $429,000 grant from Penn Dot for the Nathanael Greene river Trail which was finally constructed in 2009.
- Most important they initiated the survey, inventory and assessment of all of the historic buildings in town. Because of this effort 12 houses were rehabilitated and a National Historic District was established in 1995.
From 1998 to 2004 the Foundation was inactive, mainly because of the dissatisfaction with what the Corps had done to the town. The Trail Project became almost impossible because of the lack of cooperation of land owners to allow the Trail to cross their property. After becoming a 501(C)(3), NGHF adopted a more proactive stance with cultural and historic preservation, beginning with the development of an event series designed to create awareness around cultural assets each community contains.
In 2004, a group of town's people showed an interest in reorganizing and began holding regular monthly meetings. The by-laws and articles of incorporation were rewritten. The goal was to promote projects and activities which foster and encourage economic, cultural and educational development. The members wanted to build on the past history of Pottery, so we focused on Art and Craft as a way of revitalization of Greensboro.
Since 2004, the organization:
- Received a 501C(3) status
- Secured grants to get the Trail project back on track
- Asked and received assistance from the National Parks Rivers, Trails and Conservation Program
- Peggy Pings was a great resource to Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation
- Secured almost $2000 from members and towns people to refurbish the garage and playground equipment at MonView Park
- Developed the web page: www.natgreene.org
- Became members of the Waynesburg Chamber and Carmichaels Chamber of Commerce
- Became a member of Greene County Tourism
- For two years sponsored grant writing workshops in Greensboro with Rivers of Steel and PRAA
- Have sponsored several Paddles on the Mon with Pa. Fish and Boat Commission
- Have sponsored eight years of the Art Blast on the Mon, a two day event that brings artist into town to offer their creative expertise to a community that lacks access to the Arts
- Purchased two historical signs placed at the entry way into the Borough at a cost of $2000
- Purchased flowers, mulch and other items to beautify the town
- Received a grant for a community mural painted by Connie Merriman depicting townspeople
Recently, in respect to the ongoing efforts of the Foundation and a sense of renewed level of civic engagement, the Borough of Greensboro was approved for the Elm Street designation through the State's Main Street program. Through this program, the community can address opportunities to improve its own infrastructure.
The organization has big plans for the future and is always looking for new members.
In 2014, the NGHF changed it's name to the Nathanael Greene Community Development Corporation (NGCDC).