A good deal would seem to be in the offing if Saxonburg Borough Council agrees to separate the Saxonburg Historic Main Street Committee from the council. The council has been told that making the change would make the committee eligible for a significant amount of additional funding for Main Street restoration efforts.

The one catch is that the borough would be required to produce matching funds of about $45,000 over four years in connection with the estimated $85,000 for which the borough would be eligible under the state's Main Street Affiliate Program. The question the council must answer is what effect having to produce that money would have on other borough expenses and budget obligations.

Even if the local obligation would present some challenges, it would seem that this funding through the state is a good opportunity. Meanwhile, the borough's commitment to the Main Street Affiliate Program by way of spinning off the Main Street Committee would open funding opportunities beyond the state program in question.

Suzanne Gagliardo, a program service coordinator with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, has told the council that separate funding of $25,000 to $30,000 per year in grants could be available to Saxonburg through the state Department of Community and Economic Development if the committee were given independent, non-profit status.

Altogether, the council was told, there could be as much as an 80 percent increase in available funding if the independent status for the historical group comes about.

The council plans to vote on the issue at a meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Presumably, council members will have sought and received answers to any questions or concerns they might have by that meeting.

The Main Street effort also could be a plus for individual property owners willing to make an investment. Under the Main Street Affiliate Program, local property owners would be permitted to apply for a one-time grant once a year during each of the final four years of the five-year program. The program allows the state to match up to $3,000 for individual property owners' work on their property.

Saxonburg officials' efforts in regard to Main Street restoration merit the community's support. What is currently taking place is a logical progression toward a finished product about which the whole community hopefully will feel proud.

- J.R.K.