Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visits McKeesport as part of Main Street Matters initiative

McKEESPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – “Main Street Matters.” That’s the mantra of the Shapiro administration’s new initiative.

There are so many major roads in our area, from Washington to Beaver County – and everywhere in between. Some of them – however, have run into trouble.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis says major streets like 5th Avenue in McKeesport are “often windows into our past.”

But he and Governor Shapiro’s administration believe investing money in places like this will open doors to the future.

The grocer’s bell has been ringing at Minerva Bakery for over 100 years.

“I worked with George and Irene (the original owners),” said Sherry Toth, an employee at Minerva Bakery.

Sherri Toth worked at the bakery for 35 years.

“If you look at all our products, you’ll find something you like,” Toth said.

It could be a donut, cookies, or even a cake. But what people might not like is what’s on the outside.

“We really don’t have a downtown anymore — we don’t,” Toth said.

Toth talks about McKeesport — 5th Ave. It’s seen better days.

“People know about us, they’ve heard of us,” she said. “But they don’t really know we’re still here because a lot of people don’t come to 5th Avenue anymore.”

The state wants to fix the problem of lack of arrival of people.

“Our main streets and town centers really matter,” said Mario Leone Jr., Ambridge Borough Administrator.

That’s the message the Shapiro administration sent with the launch of the Main Street Matters initiative.

“For every dollar we invest, the community invests in Main Street – there’s an $8 return on that investment,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

The administration is allocating $20 million for the program. The money will go toward things like community planning, facade improvements and business improvements.

“We want to create real economic opportunity for Pennsylvanians in every community. Whether you live in Ambridge or Altoona, Beaver County or Bucks County,” Davis said.

For Toth, it’s Allegheny County. The bakery she’s called home for more than three decades is a beacon of hope in a time of despair.

“We need something to draw them here to this area,” she said. “So they know we’re here. And they can come and do business with us.”