Today, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a native of the Mon Valley and former representative in the state House, returned to his roots to shed light on the substantial commitments made by the Shapiro-Davis Administration. Their new Main Street Matters program aims to revitalize Pennsylvania's aging downtown districts and Main Streets, driven by an understanding that these areas serve not only as reflections of our collective history, the Lt. Governor affirmed, but also as potential hubs for economic growth, according to the Pennsylvania Government.
Munhall Borough, part of the region that Davis called home, is poised to benefit from an injection of more than $460,000 in funding specifically earmarked for streetscape improvements to its business corridor. Emphasizing the importance of such investments at a time when national headlines are dominated by tumultuous events in both Washington and on Wall Street, Davis pointed out that Main Street initiatives aren’t just sentimental gestures, they’re shrewd economics – a much-needed counter to the disinvestment seen in these localities over the years, as reported by the Pennsylvania Government.
The Lt. Governor discussed the impact of the Main Street Matters program during a press conference on Munhall's Main Street. He also made it a point to tour local establishments such as The Pizza Company and Draft House, taking time to engage with the backbone of the community – small business owners who stand to gain from the planned enhancements. The funding is part of a wider endeavor that encompasses 81 community projects across Pennsylvania, with eight situated within Allegheny County itself, as per the Pennsylvania Government.
By investing in the refurbishment and revitalization of neighborhood centers, "Growing up in the Mon Valley, I saw firsthand the issues many of our communities have with blight and disinvestment," Davis proclaimed at the event, sharing his personal connections and the aspirations he holds for a transformed, vibrant Main Street that echoes the bustling Fifth Avenue of McKeesport’s yesteryears but with a vision firmly set on the future, as stated by the Pennsylvania Government.
