AMBRIDGE, PA — In a strategic move to invigorate Pennsylvania’s local economies, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced the launch of the Main Street Matters program. This $20 million initiative, championed by Governor Josh Shapiro, aims to breathe new life into main streets and downtown business districts across the state.
The announcement took place Tuesday at the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, where Lt. Gov. Davis and Secretary Siger emphasized the program’s role in supporting small businesses and community revitalization efforts. “Pennsylvania’s downtowns and Main Streets are often windows into our past, but Governor Shapiro and I know they can be economic engines for our future,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “Our ‘Main Street Matters’ program will invest in rebuilding Pennsylvania’s commercial business districts and revitalizing our communities to become places where businesses can grow and families can thrive.”
Main Street Matters offers funding for planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and safety enhancements. Applications are open until November 15, 2024, providing ample opportunity for counties, cities, boroughs, and other eligible entities to apply. The program builds upon and replaces the Keystone Communities initiative, marking a significant shift in strategy for community development.
DCED Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the broader economic implications of the program. “The $20 million for the new Main Street Matters program is one of many bold, meaningful investments in the Governor’s bipartisan budget aimed at making Pennsylvania more competitive, growing our economy, and strengthening our communities,” Siger stated. “Main Street Matters will make downtowns more vibrant, help businesses thrive, and enable our main streets to achieve their full potential as economic hubs.”
Local leaders, including State Representative Robert Matzie and State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr., expressed strong support. “Investing in our communities has been a priority for me since being elected,” said Rep. Matzie. “Securing funding for our main streets not only ensures that our existing businesses thrive but also allows our towns to attract new businesses.”
Mayor Tina Iorfido of Ambridge celebrated the initiative’s potential impact. “The citizens and business owners of Ambridge are thrilled that Governor Shapiro’s budget prioritized investment in the Commonwealth’s downtown main streets,” she noted. “When main street thrives, or in our case, Merchant Street, so does our whole community.”
Helen Kissick, Co-Director of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the economic benefits: “Research shows that investment in a downtown drives higher area employment, fosters new businesses, increases property values, and spurs further private investment.”
As Pennsylvania sets its sights on economic revitalization, the Main Street Matters program stands as a pivotal component in fostering vibrant, prosperous communities statewide.
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