(The Center Square) – Lewistown joined the roster of municipalities with a Main Street designation through the Main Street Matters Program.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Rick Siger, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development, joined residents at East End Coffee Co. to celebrate the milestone, which will provide funding for improvement of the downtown area.
“We’re building communities that are as authentic in their stories and character as they are in their architecture — places where people know their neighbors and have the support to start a business,” said Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of PA Downtown Center.
One such business is East End Coffee Co., the brain child of Lilah and Ryan Cherry. In addition to brewing coffee and selling locally sourced products, the space serves as a space for community, hosting First Fridays, open mics, classes, and meet-ups.
“We definitely started this to bring the community together, no matter what your worldview is, what your political view is, what your religious view is, different lifestyles, all under a common roof to make Lewistown not just what it could be but what it should be,” said Ryan Cherry. “We wanted to provide a location for those people who might not have had a home before–the artists, musicians, creators, creatives–we wanted to provide the place for you to get out and do your thing.”
In concert with businesses like the Cherrys’, larger industries are hoping to broaden their footprint in the community. Geisinger Medical Group is expanding their School of Nursing program at a recently purchased location, hoping to draw more students and professionals to the area.
“Every community in our Commonwealth — rural, urban, or suburban — has a Main Street, and we know how vital they are to local economies. Our main streets are the beating hearts of towns and cities, and their success is directly tied to the small businesses that line them,” said Shapiro. “We’re bringing people together to invest in communities, grow businesses, and improve quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.”
It was an opportunity for the administration to highlight one of its budget requests, $20 million to continue funding the Main Street Matters program. The current round of competitive grants for 2025 is open for applications from municipalities, non-profits, and community organizations through August 31st.
The funding can be used for community planning, to combat blight, improve facades, develop businesses and create accessible housing. Part of the plan for Downtown Lewistown, Inc. is to improve greenspace and amenities.
Visiting places like Lewistown in comfortably red regions of the state has been a major element of Shapiro’s campaigning in support of his proposed 2025-2026 budget. Despite efforts to demonstrate the bipartisan cooperation that leads to success for places like Lewistown, traction in the budget process has left the governor to answer to worried constituents at events like this one.
“I’m frustrated by how long it takes,” said Shapiro. “I introduced my budget 160 days ago. That being said, this is where we are, and we’re working through it, and I’m very hopeful that we’re going to find that common ground.”
