DCED Newsletter | May 2025

This month, the Shapiro Administration continued delivering on its promise to invest in small businesses, ready industrial sites, attract businesses, and support local housing and development efforts. From community revitalization to major private-sector job creation, DCED is helping to grow a stronger, more competitive economy across the Commonwealth.

Community revitalization and business growth is core to Pennsylvania’s ten-year economic strategy. In recognition, Governor Josh Shapiro proclaimed May as Community Action Month, and DCED co-hosted the 2025 Community Development & Housing Practitioners’ Conference in State College with the Pennsylvania Association of Housing & Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA). The two-day event brought together housing and development partners for training, networking, and sharing best practices.

Earlier this month, DCED Secretary Rick Siger visited Lancaster to emphasize the Shapiro Administration's commitment to affordable housing. Governor Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposal includes a $50 million statewide housing repair fund aimed at assisting homeowners with essential repairs to Pennsylvania's aging housing stock. This initiative is part of a broader housing strategy that also proposes $10 million to help first-time homebuyers cover closing costs and $1 million to support municipalities in developing growth-oriented housing policies.

The Administration is continuing its strong support for Pennsylvania’s small businesses and downtowns. Governor Shapiro proclaimed Pennsylvania Small Business Week from May 4-10, 2025 and celebrated the success of the Main Street Matters program, which awarded $20 million to 81 projects, including $100,000 for a façade improvement effort in Hamburg. The budget proposal includes another $20 million for this high-demand program.

This month, Governor Shapiro and Secretary Siger announced $64 million for 11 projects through the first round of the PA SITES program. These investments will prepare shovel-ready industrial sites to attract new businesses, boost private investment, and support good-paying jobs across Pennsylvania.

Developed in response to feedback from national site selectors, PA SITES was backed by $400 million in Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 bipartisan budget. New programs like PA SITES, PA Permit Fast Track, and other efforts to improve our business climate, contributed to Pennsylvania being named the #1 state in the Northeast for regional economic competitiveness by Site Selection Magazine and earning a Statewide EDO Award from Business Facilities.

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has secured over $5.2 billion in private-sector investment and helped create more than 9,500 new jobs across Pennsylvania.

This month, DCED’s BusinessPA team attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, MD. The event connects foreign investors with U.S. economic development organizations, offering a platform to promote Pennsylvania as a prime destination for business growth. Over four days, the team met with hundreds of potential investors and companies from around the world, joined by regional and local partners from across the state.

The BusinessPA team has also been traveling the Commonwealth—including a two-day trip to Bedford County—to meet with Pennsylvania businesses, economic development leaders, and partners. 

The outreach efforts of the BusinessPA team are returning real results. In Lancaster, Kettle & Fire cut the ribbon at its first company-owned manufacturing facility, creating 149 new jobs and expanding Pennsylvania’s growing food and beverage sector. The PA Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) also approved $4.2 million in new low-interest loans to support business expansion projects in Allegheny and Dauphin counties.

Pennsylvania’s life sciences sector earned national attention this month with a breakthrough gene-editing treatment developed by teams at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine. Using CRISPR technology, doctors delivered customized gene therapy to a baby with a rare genetic disease—offering a life-changing alternative to a liver transplant. The success of this treatment paves the way for future advancements in personalized medicine and rare disease care.

Philadelphia’s momentum in life sciences is also being fueled by strategic investments. As part of the May PA SITES awards, the Philadelphia Navy Yard’s Greenway District received $30 million to support site development for life sciences and advanced manufacturing expansion. The project will create large-scale, flexible space in one of the fastest-growing biotech hubs in the U.S.—just minutes from University City and key research institutions.

To increase our innovation growth, Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget includes a bold proposal for $50 million for the new PA Innovation program, with a one-time $30 million initiative to spur life sciences job growth, and $20 million to provide recurring funding to support large-scale innovation. With targeted investment and cutting-edge research, Pennsylvania is helping to shape the future of healthcare and biotechnology.

Pennsylvania’s tourism industry is gaining national and international attention as we head into a milestone year. This month, DCED launched the new “Get Away” spring and summer campaign, part of the broader Great American Getaway brand, to invite travelers to rest, recharge, and explore Pennsylvania’s unique destinations. From curated “Vibe-tineraries” to new ad spots in major drive markets, the campaign showcases Pennsylvania’s unmatched mix of natural beauty, hidden gems, and family-friendly adventure.

In a major culinary milestone, Philadelphia is being added to the Michelin Guide—elevating the city’s world-class food scene to the global stage. Inspectors are already visiting local restaurants in anticipation of the 2025 guide release.

To keep the momentum going, Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposes $64 million to support the industry and prepare for significant tourism activity in 2026, which will include high-profile events like America’s 250th birthday, the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, and NFL Draft.

Want to see the good news from your community featured on our social media channels or in our next newsletter? Let us know what’s happening in your area! Whether a new investment, business expansion, or community development, we’re here to help you celebrate. Send your updates (and a link to a news story, blog, or press release) to the DCED Communications Office.