Latest news with #MainStreetMatters
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislative Roundup: Lt. Gov. highlights investments in NEPA
May 4—WILKES-BARRE — Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and representatives from the state Department of Community and Economic Development this week visited Berwick and Lewisburg 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," Davis said. "It's about investing in the young people of Berwick and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Gov. Josh 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. —$50,000 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. —$100,000 for way-finding signage. 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 the initiative. FBI releases annual Internet Crime Report The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released its latest annual report. The 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion — a 33% increase in losses from 2023. Nationwide, the top three cyber-crimes, by number of complaints, reported in 2024 were: phishing/spoofing, extortion and personal data breaches. The top three crime types reported by victims of fraud loss were: investment scams, business email compromise and tech support scams. Cryptocurrency fraud continued to be a devastating crime. In 2024, the IC3 received over 149,000 complaints with $9.3 billion in total losses, representing a 66% increase from 2023. For individuals over the age of 60, the IC3 received over 147,000 complaints spanning across all cyber scams, with losses totaling $4.8 billion. This is a 46% increase in complaints from 2023 and a 43% increase in losses from 2023. The average loss was $83,000. Pennsylvania was in the top 10 states by number of complaints to IC3 as well as the top 10 states by losses. In reported complaints per state, Pennsylvania was 5th overall with over 27,000 reports. In reported losses, Pennsylvania was 8th overall, with losses of over $400 million. "Since our founding, the FBI has vigorously pursued complex financial crimes," said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. "While the methods have evolved, the motives remain the same — criminals seeking to exploit others for profit. Today, fraudsters are using advanced digital tools to scale their schemes and target victims around the globe. Whether you're an individual consumer or a large corporation, the threat is real — and growing. That's why we urge everyone to stay vigilant online, and report suspected internet crimes to the FBI at Your reports are vital — they help us disrupt criminal networks, share intelligence with our partners, and safeguard our communities." To promote public awareness, the IC3 produces the annual report to aggregate and highlight the data provided by the public. The quality of the data is a direct reflection of the information the public provides through the IC3 website. The IC3 standardizes the data by categorizing each complaint and analyzes the data to identify and forecast trends in internet crime. The annual report helps the FBI develop effective relationships with industry partners and share information for investigative and intelligence purposes for law enforcement and public awareness. PSP, Shapiro honor fallen troopers Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined the Pennsylvania State Police to honor the sacrifice of all department members who lost their lives in the line of duty. The memorial service at Department Headquarters commemorated the 120th anniversary of the establishment of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Our fallen troopers make the ultimate sacrifice for Pennsylvania — and it's important that we take days like today to gather and honor their life in service — and to reaffirm that we never, ever forget," Shapiro said. "The men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities. Policing is a noble profession, and we need to continue to have the backs of our police. That's why my Administration is working to make historic investments in our State Police. I am committed to ensuring our troopers and their families have the help and support they deserve all across our Commonwealth." "For 120 years, the women and men of Pennsylvania State Police have dedicated their lives to serving our Commonwealth," said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the PSP. "Today, we remember those who gave their lives. Our Memorial Wall bears witness to their unfaltering courage and unwavering integrity. May their legacies never fade, and may we forever strive to be worthy of their sacrifices." The service included a reading of the 104 names on the Pennsylvania State Police Memorial Wall, a moment of silence, the PSP Ceremonial Unit and a rifle salute. The Pennsylvania State Police was created by legislation signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, becoming the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States. Starting with just 228 men, the department has grown to an authorized complement of 4,841 enlisted women and men supported by more than 1,850 civilian employees. It is the 10th-largest police agency in the United States. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grassroots effort bringing new life to historic Somerset landmark
SOMERSET, Pa. – Dating back to 1875, the onetime Brinker Building is among the few surviving anchors of 19th-century uptown Somerset. It's a can't-miss mainstay on the borough's central 'Diamond,' often part of the backdrop in photos chronicling Somerset's festivals and celebrations, said Somerset Inc. Executive Director Regina Coughenour. It had also become a blight, sitting vacant and deteriorating in the heart of town. But that is changing, sometimes brick by brick, through 'do-it-yourself' dedication and several years' worth of volunteer labor, Somerset Inc. officials said. And now, a nearly $300,000 Main Street Matters grant awarded this month will enable the group to start preparing the site for new life, Coughenour said. It's part of a plan to redevelop 'Diamond Row' with a mix of uses, with a commercial space on pace to complete construction this winter. Often remembered as the Brinker Building or for its longstanding Army-Navy store, the site is actually a series of three connected buildings on West Main Street. The first, a three-story brick building designed in the Italianate style, was built in 1875, Coughenour said. The rest followed about 12 years later. Over more than 120 years, it hosted clothing retailers, a shoe shop and a music store. 'It's an important historic asset to this town, right in the center of town,' she said, adding that many of the surrounding structures from the era were destroyed by fire generations ago. Somerset Inc. officials hoped the building's history, location and unique – if attention-needy – charm would help them lure tenants to the site nearly a decade ago. They hosted contractors and prospective tenants. 'Pop-up shops' were staged to offer the community a glimpse inside, with the hope someone would be willing to breathe new life into the Brinker Building. But one time after another, the response was the same, she said. 'They saw the crumbling plaster ... and structural concerns,' Coughenour said, adding they were often told that it would cost several hundred thousand dollars just to stabilize the site. It got to the point Somerset Inc. officials realized they might be the building's only chance at revival, she said. They decided to take on the demolition and stabilization work – and reached out to the Somerset community for help. 'We knew we couldn't do this alone,' Coughenour said. Grassroots effort Funding through tax credit-eligible contributions from UPMC Health Plan, Somerset Trust Co. and Global/SFC Valve Corp. enabled the group to acquire the property in 2020 and get to work. Support for that work was possible through the Neighborhood Partnership Program, a tax incentive program that the City of Johnstown more recently joined in 2024. Somerset Inc. volunteer Morgan Simmons said one of the building's most pressing issues involved an exterior wall that was crumbling due to water damage. The mortar eroded to the point the other side of the wall was visible, he said, and one section needed to be completely replaced. The group recycled bricks to keep their costs down. Volunteers replaced the soffit above to protect the wall from future damage, said Simmons, who has an engineering background and is serving as Somerset Inc.'s lead on the project. Landmarks SGA, of Pittsburgh, is the project's architect. But inside the structure, it's been a team approach, Coughenour said. Volunteer employees from businesses such as Somerset Trust Co., Habitat for Humanity workers and teams of local gym members put in exercise by removing paneling, drop ceilings and other debris. And piles of coal. As it turned out, there were tons of it still sitting in a basement space that had to be carried out one load at a time, Coughenour said. 'It was found behind one of the walls, and we had to shovel it into buckets to remove it,' Coughenour said, adding that a local farmer hauled it from the site for reuse. They've filled seven dumpsters with layers of deteriorated building materials, most of it from renovations that altered the interior over the past 100 years. Other demolition work revealed hidden beauty, including the building's original hardwood transom and the basement's flagstone floor. A set of pocket doors likely covered for decades were also discovered in an upstairs apartment, Coughenour said. 'We've been saving everything we can,' she said, adding that teams pulled nails from salvageable hardwood planks that will eventually be reused. Well-worn pieces of tin ceiling are being removed and will be restored, she said. Coughenour credited a handful of local businesses for donating labor – and sometimes heavy-duty help. Servpro, Kinsmen Electric and Columbia Gas supported demolition efforts, she said. Paul Miller Masonry helped rebuild the wall, while Lincoln Contracting, of Somerset, and Riggs Industries donated heavy-duty equipment, including a crane. 'Labor of love' She said the project has been a true 'community' undertaking. 'We're so thankful for the way the community has come together,' Coughenour said. Somerset is 'scrappy,' she said, citing a willingness 'to get our hands dirty, and we're proud of that.' The project has, at times, been a slow-moving 'labor of love,' Coughenour added, but signs are present that the hard work is making a difference. Bare walls now reveal rich red brick. Brand-new stairs were built and new framework is in place for future interior walls. Plans for the project outline a commercial space on Diamond Row's main floor – perhaps a business incubator for start-ups – while a studio apartment and a grand two-story, multi-bedroom apartment are in the works, Coughenour said. The commercial space could be business-ready this winter, but the residential apartments are envisioned for completion as a secondary phase afterward, she added. The Main Street Matters grant will enable the group to install infrastructure this year for new utilities, including new plumbing and updated wiring; insulate the space; and continue interior rehabilitation work. She said Somerset Inc. plans to carry the project through to its completion – and will likely retain the building once it's back in use. 'We want to make sure it's here for the next 100 years,' Coughenour said.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania investing in 3 local projects to increase economic opportunity
MEADVILLE, Pa. (WKBN) – Mercer County is set to receive some state funding focused on restoring main streets and downtown areas. On Friday, the Shapiro administration announced it's investing $20 million into the Main Street Matters initiative. Three projects were chosen in Mercer County. The Mercer and Lawrence Counties Accessible Housing Program was awarded $150,000, $70,000 was awarded to Penn-Northwest and its Greenville Facade Improvement Program, and $30,000 went to help the Sharon City Small Business Improvement Microloan Program. Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Meadville on Friday, emphasizing the importance of this funding. 'We want to create real economic opportunity for Pennsylvania in every community, whether you live in Meadville or McKeesport, whether you're in Pittsburgh or Pottstown,' he said. 'We want every Pennsylvania community to be a place where businesses can grow and families can thrive.' The Shapiro-Davis administration is investing in 81 community projects. The 2025-26 budget proposal includes another $20 million for this initiative. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Davis visits Meadville, highlights downtown improvement grants
Main streets matter in Meadville and other communities across Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said during a stop in Meadville on Friday morning. 'While Pennsylvania's downtowns and main streets are often windows into our past, Gov. Shapiro and I believe they can be the engines for the future,' Davis said. Davis visited Meadville to highlight and tour downtown as more than $560,000 in state Main Street Matters grant funds were recently awarded to two Meadville projects. The grants are part of 81 community grants statewide announced on April 7. There are three for Crawford County — two in Meadville and one in Titusville. The city of Meadville was awarded $560,027 toward structural and roof repairs at the historic Market House. Meadville Community Revitalization Corp. was awarded a $16,875 planning grant for the feasibility of affordable residential housing on the upper floors of commercial buildings in the Chestnut Street business district. The Greater Titusville Development Foundation was awarded $60,500 for the downtown Titusville building facade improvement program. Investing in downtown areas is a smart investment, Davis said, citing statistics from the National Main Street Center. 'The National Main Street Center found that over a 5-year period, investing in a main street creates, on average, 19 businesses and 165 new jobs in a community,' Davis said. 'And for every dollar the Commonwealth invests in main streets, we get nearly an $8 dollar return on that investment. That's a good deal.' Pennsylvania's Main Street program has bipartisan support in Harrisburg. 'Good things happen when leaders take off their red jerseys and their blue jerseys put on the Pennsylvania jersey to move our communities forward,' Davis said. The Market House, which dates from 1870, is key to the city's downtown, according to city officials. 'For 155 years, this market house has been here as a symbol of togetherness and community,' Menanno said. 'We're so happy we're able to invest the money we need to make it stable for another 155 years.' Ashley Mattocks-Rose, chair of Meadville Market Authority, which oversees Market House, said it was exciting to get the roof project moving forward. The building is a symbol of the stories of the people of Meadville — and a core memory for all that spans generations, according to Mattocks-Rose. 'The Market House is for life living here in Meadville,' she said. 'It is the heart of our downtown.' The $560,027 state grant will pay for the bulk of the repairs to the building's roof structure and the installation of a new composite slate roof. The total project is estimated at $677,990 with the city to use around $118,000 from its capital project fund. For the past few years, Meadville has been working toward roof replacement. Repairs have been done and a 2023 architectural assessment determined the roof needed replacement within three to five years. However, a 2024 engineering assessment found the roof support system was in poor condition, which potentially could result in significant damage from an unbalanced snow load. The project is expected to be designed with work to be done this year, Menanno said. Meadville Community Revitalization Corp.'s feasibility study on affordable upper-story housing downtown is also expected to be done this year, Andy Walker, executive director of the new nonprofit group, said. The $16,875 planning grant will help fund a review of buildings on the north side of Chestnut Street between Park Avenue and Water Street. The study will explore issues and costs of converting upper-floor spaces to residential units, including building code requirements, floor levels and size, and accessibility options. 'This grant is more than just dollars — it's momentum,' Walker said. 'It's an opportunity to breathe new life into historic buildings and bring more people into the downtown. The $16,875 grant for the feasibility study will be matched with a similar amount from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Walker said.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Shapiro visits Lancaster businesses to highlight $20 million statewide investment
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Governor Josh Shapiro visited small businesses in downtown Lancaster to highlight his administration's investments in 81 Main Street Matters projects across Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro secured $20 million in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget to invest in his 81 Main Street Matters projects across the Commonwealth — including more than $1.2 million for Lancaster County — to revitalize downtowns, grow local economies, and create jobs. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Shapiro visited businesses along North Queen and King streets, including BellaBoo, a boutique selling children's and baby items; Ric's Bread, a popular bakery with additional locations at Lancaster Central Market and a Philadelphia farmer's market; Foxduck, a design and print shop specializing in Lancaster-branded apparel and goods; and Plance Marie Mall, a historic downtown property undergoing renovations that received a $100,000 façade improvement grant through the Main Street Matters initiative. The administration said four other community projects in Lancaster County were awarded funding in this most recent round of Main Street Matters initiatives, including: $823,917 to Community Basics for a district development grant to restore and preserve the historic Three Center Square Apartments in East Donegal Township, maintaining 23 two- and three-bedroom units. $200,000 to the Lancaster Downtown Investment District for the 'Light Up Lancaster' project, which will install lighting enhancements to boost safety, visibility, and the visual appeal of the downtown. $100,000 to SACA Development Corporation for the Historic Howard Avenue Façade Improvement Program, aimed at revitalizing the city's southeast neighborhood. $46,156 to the Borough of Ephrata for gateway signage improvements to promote access to local recreational areas. 'I'm pleased to welcome Governor Shapiro to Lancaster city's 'main street,' known around here as Queen Street – where local businesses reign. We know that in every community – whatever its name – Main Street Matters,' said Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace. 'They are the core of our local economies attracting residents, businesses, and visitors. When Main Street does well, there is a pretty good chance that a community is doing well. I'm grateful that Governor Shapiro continues to highlight their importance.''I want to thank the Governor and his staff for recognizing — time and again — just how special Lancaster is. Not just downtown, but across our entire city,' said Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El (D). 'As the Governor knows, Lancaster is a city of neighborhoods — and he has never shied away from coming to our community and investing in our neighbors and small businesses. We're grateful for that. There's a difference between leadership that talks and leadership that shows up and asks, 'What do you need? What would make your life easier? How can we help you improve your home?' That's the kind of leadership the Governor has brought. These façade improvements let us put our best foot forward. Because in Lancaster, people take deep pride in their neighborhoods — and these investments help us show it.''I'm glad the Governor is spending some quality time in the coolest downtown in the commonwealth and seeing the amazing partnership between our small, local businesses, our workers, and the entire Lancaster community,' said Representative Nikki Rivera. 'Downtown Lancaster is vibrant proof of what happens when we invest in safe communities, infrastructure, and supporting jobs and entrepreneurs — and I'm ready to work with the Shapiro Administration to make a good thing even better.''Our small business and merchant community is the lifeblood of Lancaster and a major reason why this city is so special,' said Lancaster City Alliance President Marshall Snively. 'This city has over 300 places to eat, shop, and enjoy — which rivals most shopping malls — and it continues to grow as the vibrancy of downtown expands in all directions. We also know that it is not easy, especially these days, and to those who have set up shop here in Lancaster: we truly appreciate your investment in Lancaster. And we are grateful to Governor Shapiro for his commitment to and his support of small businesses everywhere.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
