DCED Newsletter | March 2026

This March, Pennsylvania built on its progress with investments in downtowns and housing, expanded support for innovation and small businesses, and continued business growth and site development across the Commonwealth.

Governor Josh Shapiro continues to support efforts to address Pennsylvania’s housing needs — including reforms to protect residents living in manufactured homes by limiting annual lot rent increases. These reforms are part of the Housing Action Plan aimed at making housing more affordable and accessible across the state.

Secretary Rick Siger also highlighted housing needs during a tour of Reading’s downtown neighborhood, emphasizing the importance of revitalization efforts that strengthen communities and support local economies.

In Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership celebrated a $3.3 million Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) investment to support the organization’s efforts to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh over the next six years.

The Shapiro Administration announced an investment of $425,000 in Harrisburg to support the growth and revitalization of downtown Harrisburg. The funding will be used to develop a Downtown Revitalization Action Plan and strengthen public safety.

Innovation remains a key driver of Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness. Companies like X-Hab 3D, a semi-autonomous 3D concrete printer manufacturer, are transforming construction possibilities for residential and military projects. Governor Shapiro’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget calls for investing $100 million through Innovate in PA 2.0 to help startups and manufacturers access the capital and workforce they need to grow.

Small and diverse businesses also received support through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance (HDBA) Program, which announced a $15 million investment to create ten micro-grant programs across the state. These new resources will help small businesses cover the costs of starting, expanding, and strengthening their operations.

A new analysis from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked Pennsylvania third in the nation for job growth, while Site Selection Magazine moved the Commonwealth up to ninth place in its Governor’s Cup rankings, which measure new and expanded business facilities nationwide.

These rankings reflect strong growth across key industries — including life sciences — supported by billions of dollars in investment from global companies such as Eli Lilly, GSK, B. Braun, and Eurofins.

Strategic investments in site development and infrastructure are helping sustain that growth. This month, Governor Shapiro announced more than $31 million in PA SITES funding, including $5.7 million in Northumberland County. The CFA awarded $1.4 million in Pipeline Investment Program grants to construct the gas distribution lines in Bradford and Somerset counties. 

Pennsylvania’s business community continues to expand with new investments across the state.

Berwick Industries is investing $5 million in a new manufacturing operation in Columbia County, committing to creating 125 new jobs. In Cumberland County, Schreiber Foods is investing $132.9 million to expand yogurt production capacity and strengthen Pennsylvania’s dairy industry. In Philadelphia, TerraPower Isotopes is investing $450 million to build a flagship manufacturing facility focused on producing cancer-fighting medical isotopes, with plans to create 225 jobs.

Additional investments are supporting growth statewide, including more than $4.1 million in new PIDA loans for Bucks, Erie, and Lancaster counties.

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 Open through April 30, 2026