Gov. Shapiro announces investments in PA Main Streets in Bedford

BEDFORD, Pa. (WTAJ) — Governor Josh Shapiro was in Bedford Wednesday to announce investments in Pennsylvania Main Streets.

During his stop on Wednesday, Shapiro unveiled three new projects, which will be funded through the Keystone Communities Program. Over $80,000 is coming to the county for community improvements which are listed below:

• $50,000 to Downtown Bedford, Inc. for a street audio/emergency notification
  system for the main streets in downtown Bedford Borough;
• $25,000 to the Bedford County Development Association to complete a
  Workforce Housing Impact Study throughout Bedford County;
• $10,942 to the Center of Community Action to update the Everett Borough
  community revitalization strategic plan to position the borough to obtain a Main
  Street Designation through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

“We should be doing more in Bedford. This is a community that gets it. And our main street here is obviously awesome for locals to be able to come and eat and drink and shop but it’s also a tourist destination. We want more people coming from other states. We met a great couple from West Virginia. We want them coming here to Bedford,” Shapiro said.

Secretary Rick Siger, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) joined Shapiro in Bedford to promote small businesses and “charming” main streets in communities like Bedford all across Pennsylvania to encourage more people to visit the Commonwealth.

On Monday, Shapiro launched the state-wide tourism brand: The Great America Getaway, to encourage visitors to see what Pennsylvania has to offer.

Shapiro said the time to invest is now instead of keeping the money sitting in a bank account back in Harrisburg. He also highlighted the fact that investing in communities, like Bedford, will not come with a tax raise, but rather a tax reduction.

“I agree with the funding because the funding comes out of Harrisburg, comes in to your downtown, to a committee of local people who know how best to develop their own agendas and their own community. That is what is so critical,” Sen. Pat Stefano/ (R) PA-32nd District said.

Get daily updates on local news, weather and sports by signing up for the WTAJ Newsletter .

The governor’s proposed budget includes $25 million in Main Street investments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.