Provider
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Application Deadline
August 31, 2026
Letter of Intent for District Development grants: July 31, 2026
Summary
The Main Street Matters (MSM) program is designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security.
Communities may wish to consider designation through the MSM program as a Main Street or Elm Street. Designation is an opportunity for targeted investment and development including the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and implementation of a strategy to address those needs.
Designation is not a prerequisite to receive funding from this grant program; only ‘Section F. Implementation Grants’ are exclusively available to designated communities, all other sub-programs are eligible regardless of an applicant’s status as a designated Main Street or Elm Street.
Competitive funding applications will be received until August 31, 2026. Designation applications are rolling and accepted at any time. Funding amounts and match requirements vary by funding category.
Eligible applicants include:
- Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities)
- Redevelopment and/or housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc.
- Community development corporations
- Business improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities
Common Eligible Projects
Planning Grants
- Planning grants are available to address a particular need or circumstance within a community, undertake a study relevant to an identified need, or study the results of implementing a specific activity.
- Maximum award: $50,000
- Match required: 25%, unless reduced via waiver or Designated Elm Street program
Façade Grants
- Façade grants are available to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the architectural heritage of properties and communities. The grant funds may be used for primary street-facing exterior building improvements in a defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood such as storefront signs, exterior façade painting, design assistance, etc.
- Maximum award: $100,000
- Match required: 1:1, unless Designated Main or Elm Street program
Business Improvement Grants
- Business Improvement Grants are available to stimulate private business investment and better enable business attraction, retention, and expansion in the defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood. Grant funds will be awarded to an eligible applicant to support a local program providing microgrants and/or forgivable microloans.
- Maximum award: $100,000
- Match required: 1:1, unless Designated Main or Elm Street program
District Development Grants
- District development grants are available for large public and private development projects which improve the buildings, housing units, and infrastructure associated with downtowns and commercial districts and residential areas and neighborhoods adjacent to the community’s downtown or commercial district, as well as for public safety and permanent aesthetic improvements for these districts.
- Maximum award: $1,000,000
- Match required: 50% of total project cost, unless Designated Main or Elm Street program
Accessible Housing Grants
- Accessible housing grants are available to undertake accessibility improvements to housing units for people with permanent physical disabilities in order to allow the individuals to reside in their current home rather than an institution or to return to the community from an institution.
- Maximum award: $300,000
- Match required: 1:1
Implementation Grants
- Implementation grants are available to assist designated MSM program communities in implementing critical components of their approved Five-Year Strategy.
- Maximum award: $100,000
- Designated programs may only receive one implementation grant per designation
- Match required: No match for the first $50,000; funds requested in excess of $50,000 have a required match of 50% for Main Street programs or 10% for Elm Street programs.
More Information
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/main-street-matters/
