Lewisburg Downtown Partnership Relaunches Business Forum as Business Roundtable Feb. 23

The Lewisburg Downtown Partnership is holding the inaugural Lewisburg Business Roundtable today, Monday, Feb. 23, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, relaunching its Business Forum and Economic Vitality Committee into a single, monthly convening for downtown business owners and entrepreneurs. The Locable merchant newsletter described the Roundtable as “an inclusive gathering for downtown business owners and entrepreneurs: a time for peer connection, shared learning, and coordinated action.”

LDP’s newsletter frames the new Business Roundtable as both “a listening post for business needs” and “an incubator for initiatives that support the Economic Vitality goals of the LDP,” though the Locable excerpt includes an ellipsis where a list of specific goals would appear. The announcement identifies the Roundtable as a “new structure” intended to engage downtown businesses and spur economic development efforts for Lewisburg’s downtown.

Alongside the Roundtable announcement, the LDP newsletter publicized a DCED-funded Business Improvement Grant Program for downtown Lewisburg businesses. The grant details list a “Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 per project” and a “Match Requirement: 25% of the project cost (e.g., a $5,000 grant requires a $1,665 match from the applicant).” Eligible applicants are “Established downtown Lewisburg businesses (in business under the same owner or manager for three years or more),” and the newsletter called the program “a rolling opportunity and now's the time to apply!”

Lewisburg’s downtown work is rooted in a multi-decade effort. The Lewisburg Downtown Partnership was established in 1999 after the Borough of Lewisburg, Bucknell University, and the downtown business community collaborated to fill vacancies and market the district. At that time Market Street had 13 vacant first-floor businesses; since 2004 the downtown has enjoyed a 2% vacancy rate, according to LDP materials that state, “We work to ensure that downtown remains the heart and soul of Lewisburg” and “We envision Downtown Lewisburg as the cultural and economic magnet for the region.”

The LDP recently secured Keystone Communities Main Street designation from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, a status that DCED says will give Lewisburg “priority status for various applications submitted to DCED” and eligibility for Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone tax credits. The designation also makes Lewisburg “eligible to receive complimentary technical assistance and programmatic support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center over the next five years.” Ellen Ruby, Executive Director of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership, said, “Becoming a designated Keystone Communities Main Street will assist our efforts to create sustainable and inclusive growth for the economy of downtown Lewisburg,” and added, “We intend to pursue strategies to support economic growth by incentivizing business development, expansion, and legacy; cultivating a unique identity for our downtown; supporting workforce development; and continuously working to assess and adapt as needed.”

State Senator Gene Yaw commented on the designation, saying, “Our main street small businesses are the foundation of our local communities and economy,” and “This designation will help prioritize efforts to revitalize our region and make it a better place to live, work and visit.” Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez said, “Lewisburg Borough recognizes the importance of a vibrant main street for sustainable community and economic development,” and “Designation as a Keystone Main Street highlights the commitment of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and by extension the Borough of Lewisburg in creating a place to live, work, play, visit, and belong.” DCED Secretary Siger visited downtown and met with owners and employees at the Blooming Rooster, Campus Theatre, Lewisburg Studio, Retrah and Dwellings, and TasteCraft during the designation process.

The LDP’s merchant newsletter also celebrated winter programming with the line, “Ice Fest 2026, what a blast and the frigid temps didn't stop us!” Operational details remain incomplete in the excerpts: the Locable announcement provides date and time for the Feb. 23 session but does not list a meeting location, and the newsletter’s Business Roundtable description contains an ellipsis where additional Economic Vitality goals would be expected. With monthly sessions planned, the Roundtable and the DCED-backed grant program position the LDP to coordinate downtown economic development while leveraging Keystone Main Street benefits and five years of technical support.