BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A project to turn Bethlehem Steel’s massive Turn and Grind Shop on the SteelStacks campus into a revitalized programming, exhibit and festival venue will get a $1 million state grant, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday.
Shapiro also announced $1 million for Northampton Borough to redevelop the former Cement Bank Building into a mixed-use apartment site.
The projects were among 81 community projects across Pennsylvania for which Shapiro announced grants through the Main Street Matters program.Gov. Josh Shapiro, in a release
The projects were among 81 community projects across Pennsylvania for which Shapiro announced grants through the Main Street Matters program.
The program aims to help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses and strengthen local economies. About $20 million will be invested through the program in the 2024-25 state budget.
Shapiro made the announcement at the 2025 National Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, which brings together 1,500 community and neighborhood development professionals, local leaders and volunteers from across the country to share best practices for revitalizing main streets.
New venue could open by 2027
The 150-year-old Turn and Grind building, behind the Bethlehem Visitors Center on the SteelStacks campus, was acquired in 2009 by ArtsQuest, which uses it for storage.
The idea to use the building as a new venue first was announced more than five years ago.
ArtsQuest announced in November that the renovated 26,000-square-foot brick structure will have Lehigh Valley Health Network as its title sponsor, and could open as soon as 2027.ArtsQuest previous announcement
The work is proposed to include a 15,000-square-foot public programming space that could feature theater and dance programs, music concerts, arts exhibitions and educational activities.
It would be a venue for ArtsQuest's Christkindlmarkt holiday market, its Oktoberfest and a stage at Musikfest, ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert said.
It also will be an event space and house traveling exhibits, and provide event space for private and corporate parties, similar to the Bethlehem Visitor Center, which is the oldest structure on the former Bethlehem Steel site.
It also could be used for performances throughout the year. ArtsQuest previously has said it would include a performance stage for smaller national and international performers and regional acts.
ArtsQuest also previously said the Turn and Grind also could provide climate-controlled green-room space for the main stage acts, giving them showers and other amenities.
Apartments, commercial space
The Northampton Cement Bank Building project would renovate it into 12 apartments on the upper two stories with a 7,000-square-foot first floor commercial space.
It and the ArtsQuest project got awards that were among the largest Shapiro announced.
“Every community in our Commonwealth ― rural, urban, or suburban ― has a Main Street, and I’ve seen firsthand how critical they are to local economies."Gov. Josh Shaprio, in a release
Also receiving funding was Greater Easton Development Partnership, which got $145,000 for the business improvement district plan to recruit, retain and encourage businesses to expand in the Easton area.
“The Main Street program has done amazing things for Easton and communities throughout Pennsylvania, said state Rep. Bob Freemen.
"This funding will be critical to ensuring that Easton continues to thrive by bringing businesses and keeping those we already have for residents and visitors to enjoy."
Main Street Matters, administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, received more than 200 applications requesting over $43 million for the program, according to a release.
“Every community in our Commonwealth ― rural, urban, or suburban ― has a Main Street, and I’ve seen firsthand how critical they are to local economies,” Shapiro said.
“Our Main Streets are the beating hearts of our communities ― and the economic strength of our towns and cities is directly tied to the success of small businesses and our Main Streets."
