Shapiro-Davis Administration Awards Main Street Designation to Sharon, Highlights Continued Main Street Matters Funding
This new designation through the Main Street Matters program enables Sharon to apply for up to $225,000 in supportive grant funding.
Governor Josh Shapiro secured another $20 million for the continued support of the Main Street Matters program in his 2026-2027 state budget.
The Department of Community and Economic Development is accepting applications for the newest round of Main Street Matters funding through August 31, 2026.
Sharon, PA – Today, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger visited downtown Sharon to announce its new Main Street designation through Main Street Matters, a program which provides downtown business districts with the tools they need to create healthy, vibrant communities.
Governor Josh Shapiro secured $20 million for Main Street Matters in his 2026-27 state budget to provide the tools our downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods need to thrive. Lt. Governor Davis and Secretary Siger visited several small businesses in Sharon, including The Winner, Dot Ju’s and Thyme in Your Kitchen.
The Sharon Community Development Corporation will implement its approved five-year strategy around business activation and development to make downtown investment more feasible and attractive for entrepreneurs. Creating a supply of well-maintained, code-compliant, and flexible spaces will reduce barriers for new and expanding businesses. The strategy also identifies the importance of placemaking to strengthen economic vitality and aims to develop opportunities for greenspace, expand biking and walking trails, and enhance streetscape amenities, public art, lighting, seating, and other people-centered infrastructure.
“Today was a proud and exciting day for Sharon and the future of Shenango Valley,” said Lt. Governor Austin Davis. “This new Main Street designation through our administration’s Main Street Matters program recognizes the important work this community has done while investing in where it is going next. My visits to Sharon’s downtown businesses were a reminder that economic development is not just about buildings and infrastructure – it’s about people who take risks to open businesses and pour into the downtown experience.”
Main Street Matters, which is a key part of Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, has invested $34 million in 137 revitalization projects in communities across the Commonwealth since it was created in 2024 by Governor Shapiro.
“Sharon’s new Main Street designation recognizes the incredible work already happening here while opening the door to new investment, business growth, and community revitalization,” said DCED Secretary Siger. “Through Main Street Matters, we’re helping communities across Pennsylvania build vibrant downtowns that attract entrepreneurs, support small businesses, and create places where people want to live, work, and visit.”
DCED, which administers Main Street Matters, is accepting applications for the newest round of available funding through August 31, 2026. Eligible applicants include local governments, redevelopment and/or housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, and business/neighborhoods/downtown improvement districts.
“Sharon has a proud history, and this designation will help build an even brighter future,” said State Representative Parke Wentling. “By bringing people together and opening doors to state support, we can breathe new life into downtown, fill storefronts and make Sharon an even better place to live, work and visit.”
“It’s very exciting to see the progress the Sharon CDC has made over the last few years,” said Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Downtown Center. “As DCED’s nonprofit partner and statewide coordinator for Main Street America, PDC will be there along this journey to make sure designation will continue to elevate downtown. The Main Street model for community revitalization is designed to support communities of any size to encourage sustainable economic development and improve the quality of life for local residents so that the community becomes the best and most authentic version of itself. PDC looks forward to assisting the Sharon CDC in their commitment to this initiative.”
“Sharon’s Main Street designation is both a recognition of how far our community has come and an investment in what comes next,” said Angie Urban, Executive Director, Sharon Community Development Corporation. “For years, people have continued to believe in downtown Sharon – opening businesses, restoring buildings, volunteering their time, and imagining what our public spaces could become. This designation gives us new tools, partnerships, and momentum to turn more of that possibility into visible progress. It is not the finish line; it is a milestone, and a powerful reminder that Sharon is worth believing in.”
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made Pennsylvania more competitive — attracting over $41 billion in private-sector investment while creating more than 24,000 good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth and earning national recognition.
The Governor’s 2026-27 budget builds on this momentum by investing in long-term economic growth and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win.
Learn more about the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s communities, workers, and businesses and spur the economy, to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.
For more information about Main Street Matters or DCED, visit the agency’s website, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
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