Downtown Wilkes-Barre receives 2 Main Street Matters grants

WILKES-BARRE — Downtown Wilkes-Barre has secured two of the 56 competitive Main Street Matters grant awards recently announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

According to Larry Newman, executive director at Diamond City Partnership, and Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, president & CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, the grants will fund two new regranting programs for properties and businesses in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, which is a DCED-designated Main Street Community.

“These grants advance the goals of DCP’s approved Main Street Strategy,” Newman said. “And I’m very grateful to the Shapiro Administration — in particular Secretary Rick Siger and his team at DCED — along with Sen. Marty Flynn and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, for their ongoing support of DCP’s work.”

Griffin-Boylan added, “We are grateful to Gov. Shapiro, Secretary Siger and the DCED team, as well as our local legislators for their continued investment in Northeastern Pennsylvania and their recognition of the important role vibrant downtowns play in strengthening our regional economy.”

The Main Street Matters grants

• $100,000 grant secured by DCP, will fund a new façade and storefront grant program for the South Main Arts District — the portion of Downtown Wilkes-Barre that’s centered around the three art galleries on the second block of South Main Street.

The new SOMA Arts District Façade Grant Program will provide up to $10,000 toward the costs of approved façade and storefront rehabilitation and signage upgrades in this section of Downtown Wilkes-Barre, which contains most of Downtown’s remaining small-scale historic commercial structures. Each grant must be matched ($1 for every $1 of grant funds) by the business or property owner.

“The goals of this new program are to rehabilitate the SOMA Arts District’s historic commercial architecture, improve the attractiveness of its storefront businesses, and enhance the district’s pedestrian experience,” Newman said. “DCP is currently finalizing the application that eligible property and business owners will use to apply for funding. We expect to open applications later in June, and we’ll be sharing additional details at that time.”

Newman said interested applicants will be required to submit a completed application, along with cost estimates and renderings or visual descriptions of the proposed improvements, to DCP.

“DCP’s Design Committee will review all submissions to ensure they align with program guidelines and will issue formal approval before any work begins,” Newman said. “Grant funding will be distributed on a reimbursement basis after projects are completed and inspected by DCP. Grant applications will be accepted until all funds have been expended.”

Newman said examples of eligible projects include painting, window and door replacements, masonry repairs, signage, awnings, lighting, and other exterior improvements.

“All applicants will be required to utilize the U.S. Department of the Interior’s ‘Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings’ as the basis for any improvements funded through the SOMA Arts District Façade Grant Program,” Newman said.

• $100,000 grant, which was secured by the Chamber’s “Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund” affiliate in partnership with DCP, will be used to fund another new downtown-focused grant program — the ReSpark Tenant Improvement Grant.

Griffin-Boylan said the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber, through the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund, the Chamber’s economic and community development organization, was proud to secure this $100,000 Main Street Matters grant to launch the ReSpark Tenant Improvement Grant Program in Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

“Programs like Main Street Matters provide critical resources that help communities support entrepreneurs, strengthen commercial corridors, and create opportunities for long-term economic growth,” Griffin-Boylan said. “Through ReSpark, we will provide funding to help businesses with tenant improvements, build-outs, equipment, technology, and other investments needed to establish, expand, or enhance their operations.”

Griffin-Boylan said the goal of ReSpark is to reduce barriers for businesses looking to invest in Downtown Wilkes-Barre, support entrepreneurship and small business growth, and help activate commercial spaces throughout the downtown district.

“By investing directly in businesses and the spaces they occupy, we can strengthen the economic vitality of downtown, while creating benefits that extend throughout the Greater Wyoming Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Griffin-Boylan said. “This investment reflects what can be accomplished when state, regional, and local partners work together to strengthen our communities and create opportunities for businesses to succeed.”

Griffin-Boylan said the Chamber is pleased to partner with Diamond City Partnership, the City of Wilkes-Barre, and the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center on this initiative.

“Together, ReSpark and the SOMA Arts District Façade Grant Program, secured through Diamond City Partnership, create complementary tools that support both business growth and place-based revitalization, helping to attract investment, strengthen existing businesses, and build on the positive momentum taking place across our region,” Griffin-Boylan said.

Newman said ReSpark, whose geography includes all of Downtown Wilkes-Barre, will focus on tenant improvements, other work required to prepare a lease space for tenant occupancy, and similar business expenses.

“Together, these two programs provide Downtown merchants and property owners with two important new tools — one that will help us to improve curb appeal through the rehabilitation of historic building exteriors, and one that will help us to enhance recruitment and retention by assisting with tenant improvements and similar capital expenses,” Newman said.

About Main Street Matters

Last week, Gov. Shapiro and DCED Secretary Siger announced $17.2 million is being invested in 56 community projects across Pennsylvania to help revitalize downtowns, support small businesses, and strengthen local economies.

Since taking office, the governor has secured $40 million for Main Street Matters and sustained $20 million in funding to support the program in his 2026-27 proposed budget.

“Every community in Pennsylvania, whether rural, suburban, or urban, relies on a strong Main Street to support local businesses, create jobs, and bring people together,” said Shapiro. “Main Streets are the beating heart of our communities, and that’s why my Administration makes their success our priority. By investing in our Main Streets, we’re boosting our economy and ensuring our communities continue to thrive well into the future.”

Main Street Matters, administered by DCED, is a key part of the Shapiro Administration’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy.

“Gov. Shapiro created the Main Street Matters program because healthy main streets are essential to strong communities,” said Siger. “This funding helps downtowns and commercial corridors across Pennsylvania grow and reach their full potential as centers of economic activity.”

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