Shapiro representatives in Gettysburg to highlight downtown investment, new Main Street designation

State representatives are scheduled to visit Gettysburg this morning as part of a state administration stop highlighting continued investment in Pennsylvania’s downtowns and main streets, including the announcement of a new Main Street designation.

The visit will center on the Main Street Matters program, a statewide initiative designed to help downtown business districts strengthen local economies, support small businesses and foster vibrant, walkable communities. Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger is expected to formally announce the new designation during remarks at the Hotel Gettysburg on Lincoln Square.

Shapiro secured $20 million for Main Street Matters in the 2025-26 state budget, expanding the program’s reach at a time when many downtowns are navigating post-pandemic recovery, rising costs and shifting consumer patterns. The initiative is a key component of the state’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, which emphasizes reinvestment in established communities rather than sprawl, along with small-business growth and place-based development.

Gettysburg’s Main Street district has long served as both a regional economic hub and a major tourism destination, drawing millions of visitors annually to its historic downtown. State officials are expected to highlight how Main Street programs can help communities like Gettysburg balance preservation, tourism and year-round local commerce.

Following brief formal remarks, the administration plans a walking tour of downtown Gettysburg, with visits to several local businesses and organizations. Scheduled stops include Lark Gifts, Martin’s Family Shoes, Lucky Paw, Gettysburg Community Theater and crEATe @ 48, offering a snapshot of the district’s retail, service and arts sectors.

Also expected to participate in the event are Jill Sellers, president of Main Street Gettysburg, and Julie Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which provides technical assistance and support to Main Street and Elm Street communities across the state.

The event is set for 10 a.m. at the Hotel Gettysburg, 1 Lincoln Square. It marks the latest stop in a series of administration visits aimed at showcasing state economic development initiatives and reinforcing the Shapiro administration’s focus on downtown revitalization as a driver of local and regional growth.

Source: pa.gov