PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK!

As the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly are making final recommendations and revisions to the FY 21-22 state budget, we ask that you participate in the current PDC advocacy efforts to request additional funds in the DCED Keystone Communities Program line item.

WE ARE REQUESTING $15 MILLION FOR THE KEYSTONE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM LINE ITEM IN THE DCED BUDGET, BEFORE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.

We believe that $15 million could provide sustainable operational assistance and necessary implementation and program support to meet program demands for at least 40 Main Street and Elm Street programs during their five years of designation under the DCED Keystone Communities program.

This goal is attainable only if you as the local programs are willing to support the cause and request the support of your local Senator and Representative. We hope that you ask each of your board members, business owners, partner nonprofits, and local residents to reach out to your local legislators with a personal email or a mailed letter.

Please feel free to use these sample letters, one addressed to a state Senator and one addressed to a state Representative, to share with your community, or feel free to draft your own. We’re also sharing the one-pager Keystone for $15 Talking Points that you can include in your correspondence as well.

We encourage you to share your success stories with the members of the General Assembly, so they understand how vital it is for them to support their local Main Street and Elm Street programs, now more than ever.

Thank you for doing your part to help make your town a better place!

Julie Fitzpatrick
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Downtown Center