Philipsburg Main Street Program

The Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership announced in February 2007 it has expanded its array of business services to include the administration of the Philipsburg Main Street Program .

The Main Street Program is a national comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization. The program is jointly operated in Philipsburg by the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership and the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation. The Main Street Approach looks at downtown revitalization through the eyes of four standing committees: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotion. The Main Street Program is administered nationally by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation is a member of both of these organizations. Each member of the Board of Directors of the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation, and the Main Street Manager have been trained in the Main Street Approach by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. For more information about the Philipsburg Main Street Program visit: www.philipsburgpa.org.

Main Street advocates are commonly asked by city governments and businesses, "Why should we invest in downtown?" In response, here are a few reasons why your downtown or neighborhood commercial district is an important and worthwhile investment in the economic health and quality of life in your community. 

• Main Street is a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride, and community history. These are all factors in industrial, commercial and professional recruitment.

• A vital Main Street retains and creates jobs, which also means a stronger tax base. Long-term revitalization establishes capable businesses that use public services and provide tax revenues for the community.

• Main Street is also a good incubator for new small businesses -- the building blocks of a healthy economy. Strip centers and malls are often too expensive for new entrepreneurs.

• A vital Main Street area reduces sprawl by concentrating retail in one area and uses community resources wisely, such as infrastructure, tax dollars and land.

• A healthy Main Street core protects property valuesin surrounding residential neighborhoods.

• The traditional commercial district is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn: 
• Keep profits in town. Chain businesses send profits out of town.
• Supports local families with family-owned businesses
• Supports local community projects, such as ball teams and schools
• Provide an extremely stable economic foundation, as opposed to a few large businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community

• A revitalized Main Street increases the community's options for goods and services: whether for basic staples, like clothing, food and professional services or less traditional functions such as housing and entertainment.

• Main Street provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Parades, special events and celebrations held there reinforce intangible sense of community. Private developments like malls can and do restrict free speech and access.