Merchant Newsletter 4-20-26

Please plan to be open and welcoming on Tuesday, May 5th.

On that day, the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a program of the Appalachian Regional Commission, will bring 40–50 participants to downtown Lewisburg as part of a multi-day visit to Pennsylvania.

These emerging leaders from across the Appalachian region will spend the afternoon in Lewisburg, including a walking tour and dedicated exploration time.

From approximately 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

During that time, they will be encouraged to visit local shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout downtown.

This visit also falls during Bucknell University finals week, when student activity in town remains strong. That means Tuesday, May 5th has the potential to bring more life, more visibility, and more opportunity downtown than a typical Tuesday.

If your business can be open — even for limited hours — we strongly encourage you to do so.

Every open door helps create the kind of vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that makes Lewisburg memorable. It is not just about potential sales for the day, though that matters too.

It is also about showing visitors who we are as a downtown: lively, inviting, and worth returning to.

When more businesses participate, the whole district benefits. A fuller downtown creates energy, encourages people to stay longer, and gives visitors a stronger experience of Lewisburg at its best.

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To learn more about the Appalachian Leadership Institute, please view this short video: Appalachian Leadership Institute Overview

Looking for smart ways to grow your business or streamline what’s already working?

Join us Wednesday, May 13th at noon, for our monthly Business Innovation Lunch & Learn — where practical strategy meets real-world small business in the heart of downtown Lewisburg.

📍 In person at StartUp Lewisburg

416 Market Street (2nd Floor)
Held the second Wednesday of every month

Bring your lunch. Bring your questions.

Leave with useful information.

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Knowing Your Rights: Local Support for Our Community

A new volunteer group has formed to support local employers and immigrant families in our region.

The Snyder Union Northumberland Immigrant Community Support (SUN-ICS) network, organized in September, operates with this mission:

Pennsylvania depends on hard-working immigrants across many industries—including agriculture, construction, hospitality, and health care—to support its economy. More than one million immigrants live in Pennsylvania (1 out of every 13 residents), filling approximately 10% of all jobs statewide.

How SUN-ICS Can Help

SUN-ICS offers resources for both businesses and families, including:

• “All Are Welcome” posters for storefronts
• “Know Your Rights” cards and workshops
• Short-term assistance for families in crisis (such as when a breadwinner is detained)

To request a poster, learn more, volunteer, or donate:
📞 Call or text: 570-490-4953
📧 Email: sun.ics2025@gmail.com

You can also follow updates on Facebook: SUN Immigrant Community Support

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