When a town finds its second wind, it doesn’t come with fireworks or grand pronouncements. Sometimes, it arrives in the form of a letter from Harrisburg, or the hopeful shake of a neighbor’s hand. This week, Lewistown has been chosen as a Main Street Matters community, and while the paperwork may seem routine, the opportunity it brings is anything but.

Lewistown’s new designation isn’t a government gift–it’s an act of faith in the people who call this place home. The Main Street Matters program offers money, yes, but more than that, it offers a chance to prove what a determined community can do when given the tools and the trust to shape its future.

For too long, we’ve watched once-busy storefronts go dark and neighbors drift away. Now, with a professional manager at the helm and genuine support behind local ideas, Lewistown has a shot to write a new chapter–one that belongs to all of us, built by all of us, for the generations yet to walk these streets.

That sense of new possibility was clear on Wednesday, when Governor Josh Shapiro made his way to the East End Coffee Shop to deliver the good news in person. There, surrounded by local officials, business owners, and residents, the governor praised Lewistown’s grit and determination. “This is what the Main Street Matters program is all about–investing in communities where people care enough to keep fighting for their future,” Shapiro said, his words echoing the sentiment felt throughout the crowded café.

It wasn’t only the presence of the state’s highest officeholder that gave the event weight; it was the recognition that Lewistown’s story is worth telling, and its future worth investing in. For a community that has often felt overlooked, the governor’s visit was a sign Harrisburg is paying attention and willing to back local dreams with real resources.

Let’s be clear: Main Street Matters is not a blank check. The borough will receive up to $225,000 over three years to pay for a professional Main Street manager, launch revitalization projects, and support the day-to-day work of bringing people back downtown. This money isn’t for show; it’s meant for careful planning, staff training, public engagement, and the steady improvements that keep a town strong.

Beyond this core support, Lewistown will have priority access to additional grants. These include funds for fixing up building facades, helping small businesses, supporting neighborhood renewal, and investing in infrastructure. The program offers not only dollars but technical know-how, mentorship, and a network of fellow Main Street communities working toward the same goal: restoring the heart of their towns.

Small towns like Lewistown have always relied on an unwritten contract: neighbors helping neighbors, shopkeepers knowing their customers by name, and a sense of pride in a place you call home. Over the years, we’ve seen that contract fray. Economic changes, shifting populations, and changing retail habits have left their mark. Some people say the best days are behind us. The Main Street Matters program gives us a chance to prove them wrong.

This is not about fresh paint on old buildings. It’s about creating a downtown where families want to stroll, young people want to stay, and visitors want to linger. It’s about giving small

businesses a fighting chance, preserving our historic charm, and making sure the promise of Lewistown extends beyond the courthouse square.

No honest assessment would ignore the hurdles. The state’s operations funding tapers off after three years and is gone by year five. That means Lewistown’s leaders, businesses, and residents must begin, from day one, planning for how to sustain these efforts on their own. Fundraising, local investment, and a culture of collaboration will be essential.

There will be paperwork, too. The program requires annual reporting, in-person training, and the development of a five-year strategy. This is not a quick fix, nor is it a guarantee of success. It is an invitation to do the hard work together, making Lewistown a place that matters–not only to us but to future generations.

Real success depends on everyone playing a part. Local government must lead with transparency and vision. Business owners must invest in their properties and the community. Residents–old-timers and newcomers–must bring their energy, their voices, and their ideas. This effort can’t come from the top down. It will thrive only if it draws on the hopes and talents of the whole town.

The program also demands accountability and fairness. All projects must be documented, all spending tracked, and all voices–regardless of background–welcomed at the table. Lewistown should embrace the highest standards of openness and inclusion. The Main Street Matters designation is an opportunity to show that a small town can do big things the right way.

The next few years won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. There’s a satisfaction in watching neighbors pitch in, storefronts brighten, and hope return, block by block. Main Street Matters gives Lewistown a fighting chance, but the real change will come from the hands and hearts of the people who care enough to stay and build.

Lewistown’s designation is a starting point, not a solution. With wise use, honest leadership, and plenty of elbow grease, we can build a stronger, more vibrant future for all. If we meet this moment together, future generations will know we chose not to let our town fade away–we chose to make it matter.