The Eastburg Community Alliance is a group of dedicated business individuals committed to the ideal that community involvement is everyone’s responsibility.

Over 20 years ago, the leaders of local businesses, many of them lifelong residents of the area, formed an organization that eventually would become the Eastburg Community Alliance or ECA. Within the last few years, the leaders of the ECA applied to join the nationally acclaimed Main Street Program directed by the PA Downtown Organization. After an intensive review process, the ECA was formally accepted into the program this past year.

Under the auspices of the PA Downtown Organization, the ECA receives declining funding over a five-year period.  Primarily, these funds assist businesses in the community through design and facade grants.

Committee/Volunteers

Community-minded citizens are the driving force of the Eastburg Community Alliance. Volunteers serve on standing committees or assist with specific projects. Four standing communities serve as the cornerstone of the Eastburg Community Alliance and the Main Street philosophy.

Design Committee- works to improve the physical appearance of the local business and surrounding residential district.  Matching grants up to $5,000.00 are available to improve properties in the traditional downtown zone.

Promotion- markets the unique characteristics of the town to shoppers, investors, new businesses and tourists. 

Organization – builds consensus, partnerships and cooperation among the various civic and business interests.

Economic Restructuring- seeks to strengthen and the economic base of the business community

The Eastburg Community Alliances welcomes your assistance, suggestions and encourages you to join the alliance make East Stroudsburg a special place to live, work and play.

Main Street Program

At one time in America’s not too distant past, traditional downtowns were the hub of economic activity throughout America. Local businesses were family owned with service and expertise the keys to success. With the development of malls and major department store chains that changed rapidly. Recognizing a need to preserve the quality of life that could only be found in small towns, in 1977, the National Trust for Historic Preservation began an experimental program known as the Main Street Program. From a field of over 70 communities, three small towns in the Midwest were selected to be part of the project. Results were amazing!  Tax revenues grew, occupancy rates increased and buildings were restored to their original historic splendor.

From these humble roots involving three hamlets, the Main Street Project has grown and through 2003 Main Street program, it can be found in over 1,600 communities in 41 states. The Eastburg Community Alliance is proud of its affiliation with the PA Downtown Center, the agency that oversees Main Street programs in the commonwealth and looks to a prosperous future to promote East Stroudsburg as a place to live, work and play.

East Stroudsburg Borough

Originally known as the Dansbury section of neighboring Stroudsburg, in 1870 East Stroudsburg was incorporated as a separate entity. Steeped in its rich railroad tradition, East Stroudsburg was the center of industry for Monroe County from the late 1800s through the early part of the 20th century. During this period, the railroad was the lifeline throughout the region.  In the early 1990s, the Delaware Lackawanna & Western unveiled the Lackawanna Cutoff, extending rail service throughout New Jersey. An engineering marvel, the cutoff removed many of the curves and bends from the old line permitting trains to travel at the unprecedented speed of 70 miles per hour! Until the late 1960s, passenger rail service continued into Hoboken, N.J.   On daily basis freight trains still continue to use the existing lines and the reestablishment of passenger rail service from Scranton, PA to Hoboken, NJ looms on the horizon.

Today, East Stroudsburg serves as the home of East Stroudsburg University and Pocono Medical Center. As the Pocono Mountains continue to attract more and more families migrating westward from nearby New Jersey and New York, both the university and hospital continue to expand to meet the growing needs for services. In 2006, Pocono Medical Center completed a new wing housing its emergency center and cardiovascular care unit.  Likewise, construction on the science and technology center at East Stroudsburg University is nearing completion.

Proud of its past with its eye on the future, East Stroudsburg continues to enjoy a small town atmosphere offering convenient services essential to the changing lifestyle of the 21st century.