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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – More money could be flowing to small businesses across Pennsylvania. At least, that’s Gov. Josh Shapiro’s plan.
Democrats traveled to Philadelphia on Thursday to tout the “Main Street Matters” program, a proposed $25 million investment to revitalize the small business community.
“Every community is connected to Main Street,” Shapiro said at Two Locals Brewing Company in University City. “And you can tell about the health and vitality of a community based on the strength of its Main Street.”
Mr. Shapiro toured West Philadelphia’s 52nd Street business district and spoke at a brewery to promote his proposal. Two Locals recently opened near 36th and Marketand co-founder Mengistu Koyler said they could welcome the governor.
“It’s huge,” Coyler said. “This shows he cares, and I hope other businesses find similar support.”
Supporting small businesses is what Main Street Matters is all about, Shapiro said. The proposed $25 million will be used in a variety of ways, according to the governor. One is direct investment into companies, which Mr. Koyler argues is important.
“It’s always about access to capital and funding,” Coyler said. “That’s what drives us forward.”
The second investment will be in the form of cleaning up business streets in Pennsylvania. In his remarks, Shapiro mentioned infrastructure improvements such as lighting and walkability.
Jabari Jones, president of the West Philadelphia Corridor Cooperative, said the plan is seen as a victory and businesses need this support.
“Our business is very clear: We need investment, we need capital, and we need to bring customers back,” Jones said. “Many of these business streets need a lot of tender loving care, and we want them to be attractive so that we can offer something that brings residents and visitors back and encourages them to shop local. You need to make sure it’s relevant.”
Jones said that while the situation for small businesses in West Philadelphia has improved in recent years, it has yet to recover from the pain of the pandemic. He said many businesses are struggling to get traffic because of higher interest rates and more online shopping. Additionally, many businesses that closed due to COVID-19 were not reopened or replaced.
“It’s unfortunate. We’ve seen vacancies continue over and over again,” Jones said.
read more: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro reiterates his commitment to a $15 minimum wage, giving low-income residents a sense of hope
Mr Jones said while it was great to see funding going directly to small businesses, he believed funding to improve business routes could be an even bigger benefit. Jones believes improvements such as greenery, uniform signage and improved marketing will help attract customers and new small businesses.
“If we can make the hallways look better and more appealing, we’re hopeful that new businesses will take advantage of some of these vacant storefronts,” Jones said.
But the plan is still just a proposal and must pass through Pennsylvania’s divided state legislature, which just went through a lengthy budget battle last year. Still, Shapiro believes now is the time for the state to take action, citing Pennsylvania’s current $14 billion budget surplus.
State lawmakers also say they see this as an investment in the community as a whole, not just an investment in small businesses.
“The vitality of the community is the restaurants and stores down the corridor,” said Democratic state Rep. Jordan Harris.
Asked if he believed he could pass the proposal, the governor said he was “very confident.”
You can read Mr. Shapiro’s full budget proposal here.
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