Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke with local business owners and elected officials in downtown Ridley Park Monday about his proposed $25 million Main Street Matters program, writes Alex Rose for the Daily Times.

“I just think the strength of a community can oftentimes be tied back to the strength of a main street, and I want to invest in our main streets …,” said Shapiro

It’s the first time a sitting Pennsylvania governor has visited the borough.

The program’s aim is to provide state grants directly to small-town business corridors.  Funding is included in the governor’s proposed $49.3 billion 2024-25 budget.

Ridley Park Mayor Hank Eberle Jr. said the borough created a detailed revitalization plan about 10 years ago and discovered a need for sit-down restaurants on Main Street.

Gov. Shapriro’s first stop was to the farm-to-table style café Brickhaus owned and operated by husband-and-wife team John and Dennise Marshall.

Borough Manager Richard Tutak said Brickhaus’ opening really impacted the business corridor. 

It replaced a gift shop that closed at 5 PM. Now, the street has an active nightlife, and the borough has encouraged that with a new online meter system, tree plantings, and a new clock tower.

Read more about the governor’s visit in the Daily Times.