BETHLEHEM, Pa. — During National Small Business Week, a state economic development leader came to Main Street to highlight potential small business funding proposed in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget.
Mandy Book, deputy secretary of business finance with the state Department of Community and Economic Development, visited Moravian Book Shop, The Flying Egg, Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom, Donegal Square and Aardvark Sports Shop.
“The innovative small businesses and hard-working entrepreneurs we visited today along Main Street in Bethlehem are truly what fuels Pennsylvania’s economy. When small businesses thrive, so do our communities.”Mandy Book, deputy secretary of business finance with the state Department of Community and Economic Development
“The innovative small businesses and hard-working entrepreneurs we visited today along Main Street in Bethlehem are truly what fuels Pennsylvania’s economy,” Book said.
“When small businesses thrive, so do our communities.”
Shapiro’s budget proposes $25 million for the Main Street Matters program.
The initiative is planned to “build on the existing successes of the current Keystone Communities Program in supporting downtowns, main streets, and surrounding neighborhoods” by encouraging public and private partnerships, according to the administration.
National Small Business Week runs through Saturday.
'Strong sense of community'
Soraya Aguilar Balshi, co-owner of Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom, said her business has operated in a couple of Main Street locations in Bethlehem for more than 15 years.
“There’s a strong sense of community in the Lehigh Valley,” Balshi said. “We love that.”
In both of Bethlehem's downtown shopping districts, "our small business owners have cultivated special shopping, dining and entertainment experiences around our unique colonial and industrial historical assets."Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“Bethlehem is fortunate to have two thriving and vibrant downtown business districts" in the north side's Main Street and South Side's Third Street.
In both those districts, "our small business owners have cultivated special shopping, dining and entertainment experiences around our unique colonial and industrial historical assets,” Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said.
Other proposed funding as part of the new budget include $500 million for more commercial and industrial sites statewide; $20 million for innovation, research and development assets; and $3.5 million for the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge.
The Small Business Week tour started in New Cumberland, Cumberland County, on Friday. It’ll continue through the week at Franklin, Venango County; Media, Delaware County; Hazleton, Luzerne County; and Somerset, Somerset County.
