Wrapping Up Main Street Now 2025: Inspiration from Philadelphia!

This week, Sunbury’s Downtown Team had the pleasure of attending the Main Street Now 2025 conference, hosted by Main Street America in the vibrant city of Philadelphia. This national gathering brought together passionate community leaders, civic organizers, and Main Street advocates from across the country—and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

Throughout the week, our team attended a wide range of sessions, workshops, and lectures led by an inspiring lineup of speakers including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, and Main Street America’s President & CEO Erin Barnes. Their insights—rooted in experience and dedication—sparked meaningful conversations and gave fresh perspective to the work we do every day in Sunbury.

Some standout sessions our team explored included:

    •    Diverse Boards, Strong Communities: Building Effective Leadership

    •    Fresh Finds: How Farmer’s Markets Spark Growth

    •    Collaborative Organizational Models for Main Streets

    •    Why Trust Matters on Main Street

    •    Downtown Revitalization Grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission

    •    Prioritizing Inclusion over Isolation

Each topic provided valuable takeaways that not only validated ideas in our current playbook, but also introduced new strategies for making Sunbury’s downtown even more vibrant and inclusive.

Beyond the sessions, we loved the opportunity to connect and collaborate with community advocates from across the nation. Conversations were energizing, honest, and full of fresh inspiration. It was also a pleasure catching up with friends and partners from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) and reconnecting with Locable CEO Brian Ostrovsky and his team—both of whom continue to play key roles in supporting our revitalization journey.

We’re heading back to Sunbury with new ideas, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you to Main Street America for hosting such a powerful, engaging, and unforgettable event.

We can’t wait to put what we’ve learned into action—see you on Market Street!