We have some exciting news to share — and it's the kind that will be visible right on Main Street.
Two grants totaling more than $326,000 have been awarded to downtown Ephrata projects through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) Main Street Matters program. Every dollar goes directly to local property owners and projects, and it’s Mainspring’s designation within the program that opens the door — signaling to the state that Ephrata has the partnerships, infrastructure, and accountability in place to put this investment to work.
So what does $326,000 look like in real life? Two things: more beautiful storefronts and a brand-new restaurant.
More Storefront Transformations Ahead
The first award is a $100,000 matching grant to continue our Façade Improvement Grant Program, which has already funded seven downtown improvement projects since its launch in 2023. If you’ve noticed downtown looking a little brighter lately, you’ve seen the program at work.
This new round doubles the previous grant amount — eligible downtown property owners can now apply for matching grants of up to $10,000 to improve their building exteriors, preserving the historic character and curb appeal that make downtown Ephrata so distinctive.
“Every storefront improvement changes the way people experience our downtown,” says Joy Ashley, Executive Director of Mainspring of Ephrata. “The Façade Program has already proven that when we give property owners the tools to invest in their buildings, they do — and the whole community benefits.”
If you own a downtown property and want to learn more, reach out to Joy at joy@mainspringofephrata.org or (717) 721-6196.
Say Hello to JaKob’s
The second award is an over $226,000 matching grant toward a comprehensive kitchen renovation at the Brossman Building — a renovation the space needed to be fully operational. That work clears the way for JaKob’s, an upscale Italian-American restaurant, to open in downtown Ephrata in Summer 2026. Property owner Firm Foundations is investing the required match in the project.
This is what economic development looks like when all the pieces come together: a state grant, a local property owner, and a restaurateur with a vision for a key downtown building — connected through years of relationship-building and the designations that make these opportunities available to our community.
“It’s years of building partnerships, earning designations, and making sure that when an opportunity like this comes along, Ephrata is ready to take advantage of it,” says Ashley. “JaKob’s coming to our downtown is wonderful news, and we’re proud to have played a role in making it happen.”
Part of Something Bigger
These grants are part of a statewide investment announced by Governor Josh Shapiro and DCED Secretary Rick Siger, directing $17.2 million to 56 community projects across Pennsylvania through the Main Street Matters program.
For Ephrata, the results will speak for themselves: refreshed storefronts, a new dining destination, and a downtown that keeps getting more vibrant — a better place to live, work, and spend time.
Want to learn more about either grant program? Contact Joy Ashley at joy@mainspringofephrata.org or (717) 721-6196, or visit mainspringofephrata.org.