Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Tours Bristol Borough
by Alex Lloyd Gross
It’s unprecedented that a town get three economic development grants but that happened in Bristol Borough. Yesterday, Rick Siger, the Department of Community and Economic Development paid a visit to Bristol Borough to visit some new businesses.
“Bristol Borough is doing what other boroughs want to do,” said Bill Pezza, of Raising the Bar. Vacant storefronts do not attract people. That is why Pezza, along with Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe 111 are working to get stores in there. Retail stores are crucial to a business district, not just places to eat.
Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget includes a $20 million investment in the new Main Street Matters program to support the Commonwealth’s main streets, downtown business districts, small businesses, and local communities.
“The Governor’s bipartisan budget includes bold, meaningful investments — like $20 million for the new Main Street Matters program — to make Pennsylvania more competitive, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities,” said Secretary Siger. “Our 10-year economic development strategy emphasizes the importance of investing in our communities to have a strong statewide economy. Main Street Matters will make downtowns more vibrant, help businesses thrive, and enable our main streets to achieve their full potential as economic hubs.”
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com State Rep Tina Davis, County Commissioner Bob Harvie, Mayor Digusespie and Secretary Siger.
Main Street Matters, which will build upon, modernize, and replace the existing Keystone Communities program, will be administered through DCED. In May, Governor Shapiro announced nearly $7 million in Keystone Communities grants to support 49 community improvement projects in 25 counties across the Commonwealth – after receiving 117 applications for the program requesting more than $24 million in funding. This demonstrated the clear need for the new Main Street Matters program to invest in the growth and stability of neighborhoods, main streets, and downtown districts across Pennsylvania.
Siger, along with State Rep Tina Davis, Pezza and the mayor toured Mill Street and visited The Forager Cheese Shop and Local Market and also met with the owners and employees of: Papa’s Pretzel Place; HP Smoothie Bar; Isn’t She Lovely; and Bristol Books & Bindery.