Pennsylvania officials kicked off Small Business Week in style by leading a tour of downtown New Cumberland’s main street businesses. The event, led by Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger and Mayor Joan Erney, included visits to the West Shore Theater, Hanna’s Ice Cream, Oxford Hall Celtic Gift Shop and Cafe, Semoff’s Barber Shop, and iDesign Plastics.
Mayor Erney expressed her gratitude for the recognition of small businesses in New Cumberland and highlighted the diverse business community in the area. Borough Council President Don Kibler acknowledged the support received from DCED in recent years and emphasized the community’s efforts to utilize funding and resources effectively to enhance the quality of life in New Cumberland.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration announced an increase of $25 million to the Main Street Matters program in the proposed budget for 2024-25 to further support commercial corridors across Pennsylvania. As state officials ramp up efforts to promote the proposal, they plan to visit other counties such as Northampton, Venango, Delaware, Luzerne, and Somerset during Small Business Week.
The tour was aimed at highlighting the importance of supporting local businesses and encouraging community engagement. Secretary Rick Siger said that he wanted to showcase how investing in small businesses can have a positive impact on a community’s economic growth. Mayor Erney added that she hoped that people would be inspired by what they saw during their tour and would make a conscious effort to shop at local businesses throughout Small Business Week.
