BERWICK AND LEWISBURG, PA – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and representatives from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) visited Berwick and Lewisburg today to tout investments from the Shapiro-Davis Administration to revitalize the communities’ downtowns and support local small businesses through the new Main Street Matters program.
“I’m thrilled that the Coblentz Corner Project – which is receiving nearly $700,000 in state funding – isn’t just about rehabbing an old building,” said Davis. “It’s about investing in the young people of Berwick and northeastern Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro and I want every Pennsylvania community to be a place where businesses can grow and young people can thrive.”
Earlier this month the Shapiro-Davis Administration awarded $20 million in grants through the Main Street Matters program, administered by DCED.
In Columbia County, Community Strategies Group is receiving a $678,062 Main Street Matters grant for the Coblentz Corner Project, which will rehab a blighted building in the heart of the new Berwick Arts District into a teen center and entrepreneurial academy.
“Coblentz Corner simultaneously culminates more than 15 years of collaborative, incremental momentum in Berwick and serves as a catalyst for the Downtown’s next 15 years,” said Rich Kisner, executive director of Community Strategies Group. “Funding these types of projects in rural communities like Berwick is very challenging, but Main Street Matters is the kind of program that can change the entire scope of what’s possible.”
In 2024, FHLBank named downtown Berwick as a Blueprint Community, a revitalization and leadership initiative that serves as a catalyst for creating sustainable communities in the region. Davis previously served as a Blueprint Community team member in his hometown of McKeesport.
Also in Columbia County, Bloomsburg is receiving two Main Street Matters grants: $50,955 to revitalize Market Street Square and $50,000 to for road diet planning for State Route 11/Main Street.
Lewisburg, which DCED designated as a Keystone Communities Main Street in 2024, is receiving two Main Street Matters grants: $75,000 for a business improvement grant program and $100,000 for wayfinding signage.
“Economic corridors in rural communities – like downtown Lewisburg – are more than just centers of commerce; they’re places where community thrives,” said Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez. “From supporting small businesses to gathering for festivals and celebrating arts and culture, our Main Street is where connection happens. The Main Street Matters investment in infrastructure, such as signage, will enhance the experience for residents and visitors alike, while the business improvement grants will serve as powerful catalysts for continued economic growth and revitalization.”
Through Main Street Matters, the Shapiro-Davis Administration is investing $20 million to revitalize downtown areas, help businesses grow and improve community infrastructure. These funds build on the success of the Keystone Communities Program, which has helped cities and towns across Pennsylvania repair historic buildings, improve pedestrian safety and provide direct support to small businesses.
Main Street Matters received more than 200 applications requesting more than $43 million, underscoring the demand for strategic investments in Main Streets across Pennsylvania. The Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 budget proposal includes another $20 million for this successful initiative.