City of Pittsburgh and URA More Than Double Main & Main Commercial Façade Grant Funding, Awarding $1.13 Million to 77 Recipients
Pittsburgh, PA – Mayor Corey O'Connor today joined the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) to announce that 77 recipients will receive a total of $1,134,400 through the spring 2026 funding round for the Commercial Façade Grant Program, marking a significant investment in Pittsburgh's neighborhood business districts through the Main & Main Initiative.
The 2026 Commercial Façade Grant awardees represent a diverse range of businesses and organizations citywide, including restaurants, cafés, retail businesses, childcare providers, nonprofits, arts and cultural centers, and office spaces. A full list of recipients can be found here.
"Pittsburgh is saying yes to growth, and that means investing in the small businesses and commercial corridors that make our neighborhoods strong," said Mayor O’Connor. "Main & Main began with $500,000 and a goal of supporting up to 25 businesses, and now we’ve been able to more than double that investment to over $1.13 million for 77 businesses and property owners. We’re seeing real movement in our neighborhood commercial districts, and this investment helps keep that momentum going.”
Grant recipients will use the funding for a variety of improvements, such as lighting, signage, windows, doors, brick pointing, sidewalk activation, and painting. Project work will begin after commitment letters are executed and must be completed within six months.
"This investment will have meaningful impact across Pittsburgh's neighborhoods and help create vibrant and welcoming business districts," said Siena Kane, URA Director of Commercial Lending. "We've seen firsthand that investing in the physical environment can have a ripple effect beyond the storefront itself. These improvements will strengthen commercial corridors, increase economic activity, support individual business growth, and improve quality of life for residents over the long term."
"In 2017, Elizabeth Pharmacy was awarded a Streetface Renovation Program forgivable loan. This made it possible to change a dilapidated-looking building built in 1910 into a nice, clean looking modern business,” said Joe Reich, owner of Elizabeth Pharmacy. “Thanks to that financing, I was able to coordinate that new façade with a total inside remodel to transform the business into a beautiful modern vibrant business."
“Thanks to this generous grant from the URA, I can now restore the facade to its former glory,” said Amanda Blair, owner of Kards Unlimited and 2026 Commercial Façade Grant Program awardee. “Not only have we sold gifts, books and greeting cards for over 50 years, we always seek to provide a safe and inclusive space for marginalized members of our community, as well as donate to organizations that support those communities. We applied for this grant to help with much needed repairs that will make it safer, last longer, and help us stand out and serve our community for generations to come.”
The 2026 funding round was made possible through investments from the URA’s affiliate, Pittsburgh Urban Initiatives, and the City of Pittsburgh. Additional project funding and matching dollars may be available to the awardees through low-interest loan programs offered by the URA and its partner InvestPGH.
For more information about the Commercial Façade Grant Program and future funding rounds, visit https://www.ura.org/pages/facade-program.
###
Language translation is available free of charge. Please email translation@ura.org.
About the Main & Main Initiative
Main & Main is a strategic investment plan to support main street corridors citywide. Recognizing that strong neighborhood business districts support housing, jobs, families, transit and growth, Main & Main develops tools and resources to meet the unique needs of business districts around Pittsburgh to make them a place of energy, connection and opportunity.
About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development enterprise. We are committed to building a prosperous and equitable economy for all of Pittsburgh. We help bridge public and private interests to invest in meaningful equitable developments that promote housing affordability, economic mobility, entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization. Our work creates and sustains quality jobs, thriving neighborhoods, healthy communities and sustainable businesses for the benefit of all Pittsburghers.
###
|
