The Shapiro Administration recently toured various locations across Pennsylvania to celebrate 2024 Small Business Week (which took place April 28 to May 4), emphasizing the significance of supporting local businesses in downtowns and Main Streets.

Visits were made to Cumberland, Northampton, Delaware, Luzerne, and Somerset counties. This initiative is integral to the Governor’s economic development strategy and 2024-25 budget proposal, which includes a total of $600 million in economic development investments.

In Somerset, Pa., Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, Senator Pat Stefano, and other local leaders concluded the celebration of Small Business Week. The tour highlighted the vital role of small businesses in local and state economies.

The Governor’s 2024-25 budget proposal entails a $25 million investment in the proposed Main Street Matters program in the hope of creating economic opportunities for small businesses across Pennsylvania.

Small Business Week celebrates the contributions of small businesses to the communities they serve. Secretary Rick Siger emphasized, “Small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, and we were able to see this first-hand as we visited businesses all across the Commonwealth. Governor Shapiro wants to help small businesses continue to thrive, which is why he is calling for a $25 million investment to strengthen our downtowns and communities through the proposed Main Street Matters program.”

Secretary Siger was joined by Regina Coughenour, Executive Director of Somerset, Inc.; Pam Ream, Somerset Borough Council President; and other local leaders in visiting local businesses such as Cascio’s Fruit Market, Great Day Juice Company, Byers Botanicals, and Jar: The Zero Waste Store.

Ream pointed out the importance of investments through the economic development initiative for the growth of downtowns and increasing small business opportunities.

The Governor’s proposed 2024-25 budget includes significant investments tied to the ten-year Economic Development Strategy: $25 million for the Main Street Matters program, $500 million in PA SITES funding, $20 million to support large-scale innovation, and $3.5 million to create and launch the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge.

If funded, these initiatives will complement the existing technical and financial assistance provided by DCED and partner networks throughout Pennsylvania.