The Redbank Valley area has a central tri-county location about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Redbank Renaissance, Inc. is a group of area citizens who have incorporated to revitalize New Bethlehem and the Redbank Valley area by utilizing its assets. Our members have included business owners, borough council members, bankers, the former school superintendent and teachers, nurses, doctors, ministers, retired folks and others who are concerned about the Redbank Valley. Our organizational structure follows the trademarked Main Street and Trail Town program structure that was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to address revitalization needs with a comprehensive, long-term approach.

The four committees and a brief outline of their responsibilities are:

Design – Downtown streetscape, buildings, infrastructure and appearance, sign and façade grants.

Promotion – Marketing, events and promotion of area image, community calendar, church directory.

Economic Restructuring – Assistance for existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses.

Organization – Legal, financial and reporting requirements, fundraising and volunteer recruitment and training.

The program has been successful in over 1900 other communities around the country, including Brookville, Ridgway, Lock Haven and Warren among others. See the National Trust’s Main Street Center for more information: http://www.mainstreet.org. Our goal is to follow this model to bring new life to the Redbank Valley for sustained economic health and the benefit of its residents.

Please enjoy and use this website and join us in our efforts!

The Big Dog Show Days of Giving event is coming to New Bethlehem during the Peanut Butter Festival.

To sign up for the Art Show, see the registration form.Art&CraftShowReg2025

• Redbank Renaissance has been able to do a lot thanks to our supporters.  Pledges and donations are appreciated to continue our revitalization efforts.
• Design Committee focuses on improvements of appearance of downtown New Bethlehem, including community clean ups, banners and a façade, bike rack and signage improvement program.
• Watch for the next round of our facade and bike rack matching grant program.
• We are now working with the Garden Keepers Committee to help maintain the public gardens around the New Bethlehem Borough area. These include the “Bear Patch” near Evermoore’s restaurant, the Gumtown Park Memorial Garden near the all purpose court, the Welcome Sign on 66, the Welcome Sign on the South Bethlehem entrance and at the High School, and the beautiful gardens in Redbank Creek Park along Liberty Street below the dam and above the bridge. To help maintain these gardens, please visit our donations page and select ‘Garden Keepers.’
• Promoting area artists. For 10 years through 2016, Renaissance sponsored an annual arts and crafts show on the first Saturday in December.  A new permanent independent gallery, The Gallery at New Bethlehem Town Center, was established in the old Keck Block Building in 2020 and features the work on display and for sale of more than 20 juried local artists.  Anyone interested in participating in the Gallery at New Bethlehem Town Center should call Sandy Mateer at 724-664-4754 or send an e-mail to [email protected].
• Redbank Renaissance purchased banners for the street poles on Broad Street to promote area events or groups, including the Redbank Valley Bulldogs, the New Bethlehem clocktower, the Library’s former Art in the Park  and the Chamber’s Peanut Butter Festival. The banners were custom designed and are of a good durable quality.
• Renaissance was successful in obtaining a grant through Pennsylvania Wilds to install a Welcome to New Bethlehem sign as you come south on Rt. 66 at the Borough line. The sign was installed in May 2010 and was landscaped by the Clarion County Garden Club in September 2010. In the Fall of 2013, Renaissance purchased and installed 2 more welcome signs at the entrances to the Borough on Route 28 on the South Bethlehem side of the bridge and near the high school. Both have been landscaped and have been maintained by the Garden Keepers Committee and volunteers.  The South Bethlehem sign was refreshed and repainted in June 2023 to welcome visitors.  
• 501(c)(3) IRS public charity exempt status was approved so that contributions are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
• Community Outreach & Fundraising
• Business Assistance through Partnerships with Clarion University and The University of Pittsburgh – (Please see upcoming business seminars under “Business Assistance”)
• Marketing & Promotion of the Redbank Valley and its Businesses.  See our printable brochure under Area Information.
• Worked with Mackin Engineers on a Trail Town study for promoting New Bethlehem as a demonstration Trail Town for the water trail on Red Bank Creek and rails to trails. New Bethlehem Borough was awarded an $18,000 grant for trail town planning through the Northwest Commission and subsequently a $40,000 grant for trail development in cooperation with the Redbank Valley Trails Association. Trail Town Planning Presentation (PDF)   New Bethlehem and AVLT were also awarded a $25,000 grant for a feasibility and planning study for the trail from Lawsonham to Brookville which was completed in July 2011. Work on the portion of the trail within Borough limits was completed in 2012. Renaissance contributed the bike rack in the municipal lot and helped install it before the trail dedication ceremony on June 1st, 2013. A town center development plan was unveiled and awaits funding.
• The first bike rack matching grant program had 2 participants. As a result a bike rack was added at Subway and with the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce’s participation, Renaissance installed a bike rack near the all-purpose court in Redbank Creek Park in late 2013. Watch for additional rounds of the 50/50% matching grant program to add more bike racks.
• Worked with the Allegheny Valley Land Trust and the Redbank Valley Trails Association, which formed in May 2010, to promote trail development, promotion and maintenance.  The RVTA meets on the first Monday of each month at the handicapped accessible 2nd floor east conference room at New Bethlehem Town Center at 419 Arch Street at 7 PM unless otherwise announced.  
• Still pursuing Route 28 access for Smuckers including at Route 28 Corridor Study planning meetings.
• Community Calendar – Want to see if something is already scheduled on the date you wish to pick for your event or looking for something to do? Check the community calendar. People are encouraged to submit dates so that organizations can make the most of their events.
• Continue to promote area history with addition of historical markers including the latest one that was installed to remember the Scout Hall on Water Street.  It is similar to the many historical markers that have been installed along the trail by the Redbank Valley Trails Association.  See nearby ones commemorating the Lower Hollow Tile Plant near mile 19.1 and the Brewer/Milk/Peanut Butter plant below the Smucker’s building along the trail.  Additional information and suggestions for markers are welcomed. The History Project also offers genealogy assistance and other efforts to promote area history through our Redbank Renaissance Facebook Page.