Governor announces $17.2M for 56 Main Street projects, including $1M for Bethlehem's Gateway on 4th
The state is awarding $17.2 million through Main Street Matters to revitalize downtowns and support small businesses across Pennsylvania; Bethlehem will receive $1 million toward the Gateway on 4th mixed-use project.
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger were in West Reading Tuesday to announce the state’s $17.2 million investments in 56 community projects across Pennsylvania through the Main Street Matters program.
These grants are geared to help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies.
Among the grants is #1 million for the City of Bethlehem for the Gateway on 4th mixed-use project located in the South Side.
Through developer Pennrose LLC, the city proposes to construct the first phase of a two-phase development project which will replace 1.54 acres of underutilized, blighted land with a mixed-income housing and commercial space with a total of 120 housing units.
In its latest round of funding, Main Street Matters received more than 220 applications requesting more than $68 million ― underscoring the continued need for strategic investments in Pennsylvania’s Main Streets.
“Every community in Pennsylvania, whether rural, suburban, or urban, relies on a strong Main Street to support local businesses, create jobs, and bring people together,” said Shapiro.
The announcement came after a walking tour in West Reading to highlight a $60,000 grant award the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation will use to make façade improvements along Penn Avenue.
Throughout the tour, the Governor stopped at Simply Bold Cafe, Holistic Skate Shop, Symbiote Collectibles, and the West Reading Motor Club — small businesses that will benefit from the Foundation’s grant.
“Main Streets are not just economic engines, they are places where people feel connected, they are places where communities build identity, pride, and possibility,” said West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag. “Today, we’re talking about the people, the business owners trying to grow, the workers earning a paycheck, the family deciding where to spend their weekend, and the young person seeing possibility in their own hometown. We’re grateful to receive the help and support that we’re getting from the Governor’s office.”