Shapiro visits Bedford
Governor tours small businesses, promotes Keystone Communities Program
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BEDFORD -- Investments in downtowns are "critically important to the health and strength of a community like Bedford," said Rick Siger, during a stop Wednesday in which he and Gov. Josh Shapiro toured small businesses and promoted the Keystone Communities Program.
Siger, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, and Shapiro walked through Bedford's downtown, stopping at Juli's Wearable Arts, the Espy house and more before gathering for a brief news conference in the center of town, near the weekly farmer's market.
"We're investing right here," Shapiro said. "These dollars are going to help communities like Bedford pay for new sidewalks, improve street lights, allow small businesses to renovate their facades and to support developers who are building some affordable housing in communities all across Pennsylvania."
Three community improvement projects in the county will be fully funded through the Keystone Communities Program, Shapiro said.
Downtown Bedford Inc. will receive $50,000 for a street audio/emergency notification system for the borough's main streets. In addition, the Bedford County Development Association will receive $25,000 to complete a county workforce housing impact study and the Center of Community Action will receive $10,942 to update the Everett Borough community revitalization strategic plan so that borough can receive a Main Street Designation through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.
Mayor William Leibfreid said Bedford Borough Council recently defined what a vision for the future of the borough might look like, and a significant part of it "is the economic development of the business district, or main street."
"Every project the borough sets out on should increase what I call 'feet on the street' -- people walking on the sidewalks," Leibfreid said. "And it's to not only strengthen the existing businesses, but also to bring in new business."
Shapiro said they saw "a huge need" in this year's round of applications for the Keystone Communities Program.
For the 2024-25 award cycle, DCED received about 117 applications requesting more than $24 million in funding from the program, according to a news release.
"That is why we're doubling down on this and asking the legislature not only for $25 million dollars for main streets, but for more flexibility on that funding, so we can trust your local leaders to do more with those investments," Shapiro said.
In his 2024-25 budget, Shapiro proposed a $25 million investment to create a new program called Main Street Matters, which would help the KCP support downtowns, main streets and commercial corridors in Pennsylvania's communities, the news release stated.
Siger said the Main Street Matters Program would be like KCP "plus, plus."
"We've seen how powerful these investments are firsthand," Siger said. "It's not just beautification projects like facade renovations or streetscape improvements. These funds also support affordable housing, in some cases social services, blight remediation and even small business grants."
He said that is why the economic development strategy launched in January had a heavy focus on downtowns and main streets.
"You can't have a strong economy if communities are being left behind," Siger said.
When asked where the funding for these programs would come from, Shapiro said the commonwealth has a $14 billion surplus.
"Again, this is a proposal that the senator (Patrick Stefano) and others are considering now," Shapiro said, gesturing to Stefano, who accompanied Shapiro on the tour. "From a math perspective, you can cut taxes, make these investments and still have an $11 billion surplus," Shapiro said.
It makes "no sense to keep that money locked away" and "now is the time to invest," he added.
"My priorities center around economic growth and public safety and education, making sure that those who are most vulnerable in our communities get the help that they need," Shapiro said.
The stop in Bedford was part of Shapiro's weeklong "Great American Getaway" RV tour meant to highlight Pennsylvania's new tourism brand, which promotes main streets, small businesses and towns like Bedford, while encouraging "millions within a few hours drive" to visit the area, according to a release.
"We chose Bedford to be one of those stops because we believe so much in what is happening here," Shapiro said. "And I must say that not just as your governor, but as a father of four, a place like Bedford has got a little something for everybody."
Almost $7 million was allocated through the Keystone Communities Program, going toward 49 projects in 25 counties.
Cambria County is the only other county in the region to receive funds from the KCP, according to the Approved Projects list. East Conemaugh will receive $50,000 for its Main and Greeve streets demolition project; Ebensburg and Johnstown will each receive $50,000 for facade improvement; and Pittsburgh Gateways Corp. will receive $500,000 for the Pitt-Johnstown Future Works.
"These grants will help support the growth and stability of neighborhoods and communities, and these are investments I wholeheartedly support," said State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, in a news release.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.