State legislators, business owners, and residents are now engaged in ending the political gridlock, creating unprecedented momentum for the capital city's economic development.
That’s the message that came across loud and clear at PennLive’s latest roundtable on Harrisburg’s downtown development. Mayor Wanda Williams and some city council members may be facing off in court, but all is not doom and gloom in Pennsylvania’s capital.
At least that’s the view of three community leaders who are deeply engaged in city affairs and have no reason to sugarcoat anything.and streamed live to PennLive’s social media, Ryan Unger, Doug Hill, and Sheila Dow-Ford joined PennLive’s Joyce M. Davis in the latest forum on Harrisburg’s downtown development. Unger is president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. Hill is chair of the board of the, an independent commission appointed by the state legislature and the governor to monitor and support Harrisburg’s fiscal health. And Dow-Ford is executive director ofthat doled out millions of dollars in grants after the COVID disaster to help small businesses and nonprofits in the city. They shared their perspectives on where things stand with crafting and implementing a plan to revitalize Harrisburg’s downtown. The short answer is -- there is no downtown economic development plan for Harrisburg, yet. But these community leaders are confident one will be emerging soon. Within the next few weeks, Unger and Hill vowed there will be clear signs that the whistle has blown, and the train is indeed moving down the track.Everyone from the governor to state legislators to business owners to Harrisburg residents are now engaged and working to end to the political bickering that is doing nothing to help Harrisburg. Sheila Dow Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg, speaks. PennLive’s forum on revitalizing Harrisburg’s downtown addresses the decline of the downtown and what people can do to give it the boost that Lancaster has received. August 18, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comUnger and Hill have been privy to meetings with city officials, including one with Gov. Josh Shapiro, who we’re told was clear, respectful, but to the point: Harrisburg can’t wait any longer for its leaders to work together. They have to do it now. We agree. And we commend the governor for stepping into the fray to help calm the city’s waters and urge its leaders to seek compromise on behalf of the people they are called to represent. And the governor has assured city leaders they don’t have to go it alone. Hill and the ICA are willing to help city council members and Mayor Williams bridge their personal and political divides, and Dow-Ford wisely suggested faith leaders be invited to help summon some higher angels. Everything should be on the table to help Harrisburg’s leaders see they have too much in common to not join hands to save the city they love.The Pennsylvania Downtown Center will provide them the expertise needed to develop a plan and see it through. That’s a most positive development, especially if city council and the mayor work with them. Hill also sees some hope that city council members and Mayor Williams may not be so far apart on other issues. For example, they may disagree on the mayor’s appointments for business administrator and economic development positions; but they all agree the positions are needed. That’s a good place to start finding common ground for the hard work ahead. It’s also a good reason to join Unger, Hill and Dow-Ford in focusing on the emerging signs that Harrisburg may finally be heading in the right direction. We sincerely hope they are right.
Harrisburg-Downtown-Development Section:/Opinion
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