In a stop in downtown Bedford, Governor Josh Shapiro announced $7 million in grant money is headed toward helping fund nearly 50 projects on main streets across the state, including three future projects in Bedford County.

The specifics of what the money will be used for is not known right now, and that is because it will be up to local officials in the communities receiving the funding according to officials.

“That funding comes out of Harrisburg and comes into your downtown to a committee of local people who know how best to develop their own agendas and their own community,” republican senator in the 32nd district Patrick Stefano said about one reason he supports the ‘Main Streets Matter’ program.

Shapiro said he is also looking for $25 million that is in his proposed budget that he is also looking to put toward the initiative.

Shapiro said he is the only governor in the country with control in the state house and senate being split, but is hopeful for both sides coming together for this cause.

“Every community has a main street. And they look different, and they feel different, and they have different kinds of shops and restaurants and different cuisines and bars, but every community's got one,” Shapiro said. “That's why I feel confident at the end of the day the republicans and democrats alike will come together and embrace this investment in main streets because everybody's got one.”

Shapiro adds that for every dollar invested into a main street they get nearly $8 back.

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