Shante' Brown, Deputy Secretary of Child Development and Early Learning | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
The Shapiro administration is set to initiate Small Business Week in Pennsylvania with a series of events in downtown Hamburg. Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger will spearhead the celebration by visiting local businesses and highlighting their crucial role in the state's economy. Governor Josh Shapiro has officially recognized May 4 through 10, 2025, as Small Business Week within the state.
During the event, Secretary Siger will announce a new designation for Hamburg and spotlight the allocation of a $100,000 investment through the Main Street Matters Program aimed at revitalizing downtown areas. The tour will include visits to several local businesses, such as the Art & Craft Gallery of Hamburg, the Balthaser building, and the Hamburg Antique Center, among others.
Governor Shapiro established the Main Street Matters initiative to bolster downtown areas, support small enterprises, and enhance local economic conditions. The program has recently funded 81 community projects across Pennsylvania, and the Governor plans to allocate an additional $20 million as part of his 2025-26 budget proposal.
Joining Secretary Siger on May 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM for the event at the Our Town Foundation Office in Hamburg, PA, will be Deena Kershner and Lynn Weller, both from the Our Town Foundation, as well as Alyssa Mengel Wentz, owner of AEC Market. The walking tour will proceed regardless of weather conditions, and members of the media wishing to cover the event are encouraged to RSVP via email.
The celebration underscores the administration's commitment to enhancing small business vitality in Pennsylvania's downtown districts.
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