NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. — The Shapiro administration is kicking off Small Business Week in Pennsylvania – encouraging continued investment into community businesses.
On Friday, members of the Shapiro administration met with local leaders to tour some of the small businesses that make up New Cumberland.
Among the stops on the tour was Semoff's Barbershop, a family-owned business that’s been cutting hair for 96 years.
Third-generation owner Christopher Semoff said it’s the continued support from his customers that has kept the business running for so long.
“It’s an empty four walls if you don’t have customers," said Semoff. "We enjoy the families that come here. We’re at five, almost six, generations of hairs that we’ve cut.”
The Shapiro administration hopes to help small businesses in Pennsylvania by allotting $25 million in the state budget for the new Main Street Matters program. The program would open various grants (i.e. façade grants, micro-grants, streetscape improvements) to be used by local businesses and communities.
"Small businesses are the bedrock of our economy and the bedrock of our communities," said Secretary Rick Siger, the head of the Department of Community and Economic Development. “The goal is to help businesses succeed, but also to help people want to be in these Main Street communities.”
The Main Street Matters program is part of Governor Shapiro's overall $600 million economic development plan in his proposed 2024-25 budget.
Cynthia Washburn, the owner of Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Café, said investing in small businesses will allow communities like New Cumberland to continue to thrive for years to come.
“New Cumberland has gotten great grant money that has allowed people to do cool things," said Washburn. "And those things have brought prosperity, jobs, and people to the community.”