ArtsQuest has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Main Street Matters Grant Program.

The funding, made possible through partnership of Northampton County, will be used to transform the historic Bethlehem Steel Turn & Grind Shop into a dynamic new venue called the Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, for new and extended arts programming, exhibits, festivals and event space.

The grant was approved by Gov. Josh Shapiro as part of a larger $20 million state investment in community revitalization projects aimed at supporting downtowns, small businesses and local economies.

The Turn & Grind Shop project is one of 81 community initiatives across Pennsylvania receiving funding from the Main Street Matters program.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant and are immensely grateful to Northampton County and its leaders for their unwavering support,” said Kassie Hilgert, president and CEO of ArtsQuest. “This project is a vital step in revitalizing Bethlehem’s historic SteelStacks campus and bringing new cultural and economic opportunities to the Lehigh Valley.”

Special thanks are extended to Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, Tina Smith, director of the Department of Community and Economic Development for Northampton County, and Rebecca Sanchez, grant writer for Northampton County DCED, for their crucial support in securing this funding.

The Turn & Grind Shop, a 150-year-old building on the SteelStacks campus behind the Bethlehem Visitor Center, was acquired by ArtsQuest in 2009.

Thanks to this grant, along with generous support from the community, including naming sponsor Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health, the historic building will be renovated and transformed into a 26,000-square-foot arts venue.

Plans include a 15,000-square-foot public programming space that will expand the footprint for Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt presented by Univest Financial, Oktoberfest presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport, as well as host traveling arts, cultural and educational exhibits and provide an indoor/outdoor rental space for private and corporate events.

A climate-controlled green-room area for musicians and performers, including a permanent on-site kitchen will round out the project.

“The Turn and Grind Shop will be a unique, year-round space for arts and culture that serves the community while honoring the rich industrial history of Bethlehem,” said Hilgert. “With LVHN part of Jefferson Health serving as the title sponsor, we will further strengthen the collaboration between the arts and healthcare, bringing together two essential pillars of community well-being.”