AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $5,000 to the Greensburg (Pennsylvania) Community Development Corporation to assist with the renovation of a key building in the city's shopping district.

The building, at 205 South Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Greensburg, has been vacant for almost 15 years, but renovation work has begun to make it a suitable home for retail businesses and apartments.

"It's the commitment of our donors we rely on to continue our mission to grow Greensburg's economy," said Steven Gifford, executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corporation. "This gift brings us closer to completing our work returning this building to useful service in an important commercial district."

When completed, the building will house a retail business on the ground floor and may also contain up to eight one-bedroom apartments, which will likely be marketed to undergraduate, graduate and medical students from a nearby college.

"This property is situated in an important part of downtown Greensburg and we are proud to assist with this redevelopment effort," said Dee Lowery, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "One of our key priorities across FirstEnergy's service area is supporting community revitalization and economic development efforts just like this project."

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

www.firstenergycorp.com

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.