EPHRATA, PA — It was an exciting Friday as local leaders welcomed Rick Siger, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), to their town for the state-wide “Main Street Matters” tour. Secretary Siger, representing Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, came to highlight the Governor’s proposed budget earmarked for the Main Streets, small businesses, and local communities across Pennsylvania.
The proposed 2024-25 budget exhibits Shapiro’s vision for economic growth and opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. Siger spent time visiting small businesses in Ephrata’s Main Street business district, understanding their needs and learning first-hand the challenges they face.
“Vibrant main streets are the foundation of our communities and a thriving local economy,” stated Secretary Siger. Shapiro’s proposed $25 million investment in his new Main Street Matters program is expected to buttress local resources, improving the appeal of main streets as places to live, work, and visit. This investment is crucial to attract and retain residents and businesses as Pennsylvania faces mounting competition nationwide.
Building on successful initiatives like the Keystone Communities Program, the Main Street Matters program administered through DCED aims to address a myriad of community needs. It explicitly looks to refurbish the existing structure and invest in future prosperity and community revitalization.
In downtown Ephrata, Secretary Siger met with local leaders and owners of Windsor-Mount Joy Insurance, Casa Huerta Mexican Grocery, and Pour Man’s Brewing Company. The meetings underscored the state’s commitment to engage with local businesses and understand their challenges better.
“Ephrata is a Borough on the rise,” said Joy Ashley, Executive Director, Mainspring of Ephrata. She lauded Governor Shapiro’s Main Street Matters program for the financial support it offers to main street programs, critical to the economic well-being of the entire Commonwealth.
Doug Underwood, President/CEO, the Windsor Group, added, “Being able to support local businesses, providing local employment opportunities, and being a part of a vibrant community is an essential part of our identity.” The excitement for the potential upliftment the Main Street Matters program brings to Ephrata was palpable.
The Main Street Matters tour aims to amplify Governor Shapiro’s commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy. From the inception of his administration, Governor Shapiro and his team have worked relentlessly to position Pennsylvania as an innovation and economic development hub, promising economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.
Last month, Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Rick Siger unveiled the Commonwealth’s first Economic Development Strategy in almost two decades. This strategy is a testament to the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to lead in innovation and economic development and create economic opportunities for all Pennsylvanians.
The Governor’s 2024-25 budget proposes substantial investments in economic development initiatives. Besides the $25 million for the Main Street Matters program, the budget includes a potent $500 million in PA SITES funding to bring more commercial and industrial sites to Pennsylvania. It also proposes $20 million in support for large-scale innovation and $3.5 million to launch the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge, a unique initiative to incentivize regional growth.
The “Main Street Matters” tour promises to be a step forward for Pennsylvania’s small businesses and local communities. By directly addressing their challenges and boosting economic opportunities, the Shapiro Administration is poised to revitalize the heartbeat of Pennsylvania’s economy – its Main Streets.
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