SHARON, PA — Sharon’s downtown business district gained access to as much as $225,000 in state support Thursday after Pennsylvania designated the city through its Main Street Matters program, giving local officials additional financing tools for business development, property improvements and public-space investment.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger announced the designation during a visit to downtown Sharon. The program is intended to support commercial districts and surrounding neighborhoods through economic-development and revitalization funding.
The Sharon Community Development Corporation will implement a five-year strategy focused on making downtown investment more feasible for new and expanding businesses. The plan calls for increasing the supply of well-maintained, code-compliant and flexible commercial space.
The strategy also calls for improvements to public spaces, including potential greenspace, expanded walking and biking trails, streetscape amenities, public art, lighting and seating.
“This new Main Street designation through our administration’s Main Street Matters program recognizes the important work this community has done while investing in where it is going next,” Davis stated.
Main Street Matters has directed $34 million to 137 revitalization projects across Pennsylvania since Gov. Josh Shapiro created the program in 2024. The state’s 2026-27 budget includes another $20 million for the initiative.
Siger characterized Sharon’s designation as a mechanism for attracting additional investment and supporting business growth.
“Through Main Street Matters, we’re helping communities across Pennsylvania build vibrant downtowns that attract entrepreneurs, support small businesses, and create places where people want to live, work, and visit,” Siger stated.
During Thursday’s visit, Davis and Siger stopped at several Sharon businesses, including The Winner, Dot Ju’s and Thyme in Your Kitchen.
DCED is accepting applications for the newest round of Main Street Matters funding through Aug. 31. Eligible applicants include local governments, redevelopment and housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, community development corporations and business, neighborhood and downtown improvement districts.
Sharon Community Development Corporation Executive Director Angie Urban described the designation as a way to convert prior downtown investment into additional projects.
“This designation gives us new tools, partnerships, and momentum to turn more of that possibility into visible progress,” Urban stated.
The Main Street Matters program is part of Pennsylvania’s 10-year economic development strategy and is administered by DCED.
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