The state House Majority Policy Committee recently hosted a roundtable discussion in Chester County to hear what can be done to grow downtown areas.
The roundtable discussion began in Phoenixville Borough Hall, where members learned the history of the downtown area’s revitalization.
Afterward, committee members stopped at local businesses along Main and Bridge streets to talk to business owners about the challenges they face and what can be done in Harrisburg to better support small businesses.
Business owners and local officials said change is necessary for revitalization efforts and that government and communities must work together to maximize revitalization and plan for the future.
“When our locally owned businesses do well, Pennsylvania does well,” House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie County) said. “The valuable insights we gained today into the challenges and successes our downtowns are facing will help facilitate positive change on Main Streets across the commonwealth for years to come.”
“This was a great opportunity for our members to see first-hand how successful this region is and how it can be duplicated in communities across Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) said.
Tour stops included Bistro on Bridge, Bluebird Distilling, Bridge Street Chocolates, Café com Leite, Colonial Theater, Forever Changes, and Phoenix Village.