EASTON, Pa. — Governor Josh Shapiro visited a handful of small businesses in Downtown Easton on Thursday to tout his administration’s efforts to spur economic development in the hearts of Pennsylvania communities.
Shapiro stopped at Sweet Girlz Bakery, Queso at Casa and Casa 401, all adjacent to Centre Square. He appeared with Easton mayor Sal Panto, officials from the Easton Main Street Initiative, and the city’s representatives in the General Assembly, Lisa Boscola and Bob Freeman.
During a press conference at Three Oaks Steakhouse, Shapiro pointed to his administration’s efforts to boost economic growth.
“There is one thing every community has in common, and that's a Main Street, they are the beating heart of a community. You have a successful Main Street, you've got a successful community.”Josh Shapiro
One of the best ways to support communities is to bolster their downtowns, he said; to support Main Street, buttress the businesses there and create economic opportunity.
“There is one thing every community has in common, and that's a Main Street,” Shapiro said. “ They are the beating heart of a community. You have a successful Main Street, you've got a successful community.”
To that end, Shapiro’s administration launched a new grant program in September called Main Street Matters, set to dole out $20 million to revitalize downtowns through municipalities or organizations like Easton’s Main Street Initiative.
“Sometimes it could be the facade of a small business to get that up and running. Sometimes it could be sidewalks and lighting or maybe a stormwater project,” said Shapiro.
He also trumpeted recent efforts to make founding a business easier by streamlining the process of getting state permits. Where it took eight weeks for an entrepreneur to receive a business license at the start of his administration, he said, they are now available in two days.
Meanwhile, his administration's recent tax cuts, Shapiro said, allow businesses to write off more of their losses and leave individuals with more money to spend at local businesses.
Taken together, the economic development programs, he said, are meant to help cities like Easton and people like Andrea Rincon, founder of raclette restaurant Queso at Casa and the adjoining boutique, Casa 401.
“I don't think I could have done it if I had not known there were some resources."Andrea Rincon, founder of raclette restaurant Queso at Casa
After a few years of helping friends with their ventures, Rincon decided about a year and a half ago she would become an entrepreneur herself. Starting a business, she soon found, comes with no shortage of hurdles to clear.
For example, before Rincon could open up shop, she needed a sign, which turned out to be unexpectedly expensive. A facade grant from the Easton Main Street Initiative helped her make it to its grand opening.
“I don't think I could have done it if I had not known there were some resources,” said Rincon. “You don’t realize how much money you need to start a business.”
In the time since Shapiro launched a new statewide economic development strategy in January, Shapiro said, private investment in Pennsylvania has increased from $1 billion in 2023 to $3 billion in 2024, he said, a sign that the strategy is working.
