Bristol Borough’s central business district and waterfront have transformed over the past decade. Hard work, local residents and business owners, private investment, and state grants have all contributed to its turnaround.
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On Thursday, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger highlighted the transformative efforts in Bristol Borough during a tour of Mill Street and waterfront.
Accompanied by local officials, Siger’s visit was to highlight the impact of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent budget initiatives designed to bolster economic growth across Pennsylvania.
Central to the economic development initiative is a $20 million appropriation for the new Main Street Matters program, which replaces the existing Keystone Communities program.
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Officials said the new Main Street Matters program will benefit downtown business districts, create jobs, and grow economy across Pennsylvania.
“Our 10-year economic development strategy emphasizes the importance of investing in our communities to have a strong statewide economy. Main Street Matters will make downtowns more vibrant, help businesses thrive, and enable our main streets to achieve their full potential as economic hubs,” Siger said.
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The Main Street Matters program will be managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. It seeks to enhance public-private partnerships and stimulate economic development in communities like Bristol Borough.
State grants and low-interest loans have provided millions for investment by governments and small businesses in the Levittown area over the past decade. Some of the programs have assisted with installing the waterfront docks in Bristol Borough, purchasing equipment for the police department to better handle large events, and restoring facades along Mill Street.
During his tour, Siger visited several local businesses, including The Forager Cheese Shop and Market, Papa’s Pretzel Place, HP Smoothie Bar, Isn’t She Lovely, and Bristol Books and Bindery. He heard from the business owners.
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Bristol Borough Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III praised the state’s investment in small towns.
“The innovative Main Street Matters program illustrates the importance of partnerships, among state and local government and the private sector,” said Bristol Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III. “We’re honored to be part of this exciting rollout and plan to ensure our businesses explore the opportunities it offers. “
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Bill Pezza, president of the Bristol Borough Economic Development Committee, said he was optimisic about the program’s potential impact.
Pezza said state grant programs have helped Bristol Borough and will be a “catalyst for additional public/private sector investment and continue to advance the borough as a destination for diners and shoppers.”
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State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tina Davis, both Democrats, commended the Main Street Matters program.
Santarsiero highlighted the borough’s development into a dining and shopping destination, and Davis emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses.
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“Local leaders here in Bristol saw the incredible opportunity, they presented a vision with a plan and they have really worked together over the years to make that plan a reality. We are excited to see Secretary Siger and the Department of Community and Economic Development highlight Bristol’s impressive story and we hope it can serve as a model for other towns to be just as successful,” Santarsiero said.
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Davis stated: “I am thrilled that they have come to Bristol to highlight the incredible work that Bristol Raising the Bar have done in conjunction with Mayor DiGuiseppe and the borough council to revitalize Mill Street.”
Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, a Democrat, spoke about the progress the borough has made in recent years.
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The guidelines for the new Main Street Matters that will detail eligibility and the application processes are expected to be released in September, according to state officials.
Earlier this year, Shapiro announced nearly $7 million in Keystone Communities grants aimed at supporting projects across 25 counties, including projects for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, Perkasie Borough, and Quakertown Borough.
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