Back to projects Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Program Used: Tourism Product Development Grant Thanks, in part, to a $100,000 Tourism Product Development grant from CAEDC in 2019, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) repurposed two existing spaces into a new performance theater at their Carlisle studio. The new space features 186 retractable theater seats, appropriate performance flooring and lighting, curtain rigging, and audio/visual components. These updates alleviate numerous logistical hurdles previously faced by CPYB when hosting their own events, create a true theater experience for the public, and provide a unique space to host community events. CPYB boasts an impressive $15 million annual economic impact to Dauphin and Cumberland counties, of which $12 million is specifically for Cumberland County. The opportunity to host additional performances in-house, at a lower cost to the public than at other venues, will increase the number of visitors to CPYB. In addition, no other ballet school nationwide has this type of venue, which distinguishes CPYB from other schools and helps it attract students from across the country. Both of these directly impact Carlisle’s local economy and improve CPYB’s revenue stream. “Because of the support from the Tourism Product Development grant program, CPYB was able to completely build and retrofit a stunning on-site performance theater that will offer local families and tourists access to world-class ballet,” according to Nicholas Ade, Chief Executive Officer, CPYB.
