DCED Newsletter | December 2025

As 2025 ends, Pennsylvania continues to build momentum—strengthening communities, attracting private investment, modernizing infrastructure, and expanding our national and global profile. This month’s updates highlight how targeted investments and strategic partnerships are positioning the Commonwealth to compete and grow.

This month, $70 million in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) awards were announced to support 405 projects addressing critical community needs across Pennsylvania. The funding will help strengthen local organizations and advance initiatives that improve neighborhood health, vitality, and long-term resilience in communities statewide.

Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and DCED Secretary Rick Siger joined local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Esplanade in Pittsburgh’s North Side. Part of the city’s $600 million downtown revitalization effort, this landmark project will transform 15 acres of brownfields into thousands of jobs and new housing options—advancing a more vibrant, connected community.

Affordable housing also received a boost this month with more than $6 million awarded through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Twelve counties received grants and loans to improve access to safe, affordable housing for low-income Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.

In addition, City Avenue District—located in Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County—received a Main Street designation this month, opening the door to Main Street Matters funding to revitalize the downtown area, help businesses grow, and improve community infrastructure.

Pennsylvania continues to attract major business investment and expansion. Farm Plast invested $8 million to open its first Pennsylvania manufacturing facility in Muncy, creating 69 jobs while returning a brownfield site to productive use. DrinkPAK announced a $195 million investment to build its flagship East Coast facility in Philadelphia—creating 174 jobs and strengthening advanced manufacturing in the region.

Philadelphia also welcomed new innovation assets this month, including Eli Lilly’s Gateway Labs and ThermoFisher Scientific’s Advanced Therapies Collaboration Center, further reinforcing Pennsylvania’s role in life sciences and biopharmaceutical development.

Together, these projects reflect the results of the Shapiro Administration’s continued focus on building a competitive, business-friendly climate. Since January 2023, Pennsylvania has secured $32.5 billion in private-sector investment, creating more than 18,000 new jobs statewide.  

Pennsylvania is making significant progress in closing the digital divide. Several Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program projects reached key milestones, including improvements at the Somerset County Library and Happy Hollow Recreation Center in Philadelphia.

The state is also expanding global access with the launch of Pittsburgh International Airport’s first-ever nonstop flights to Dublin—an important milestone for regional economic growth and international business travel, building on recent engagement with Ireland.

Additional infrastructure investments included $6.2 million to improve water and sewage systems in five counties and $1.5 million to support roadway improvements in Lancaster County—enhancing reliability, safety, and local connectivity.

The Commonwealth’s creative economy and quality-of-life assets continue to gain national recognition. Season 2 of HBO’s Task will generate an estimated $194 million in economic impact and support 3,700 jobs, backed by $49.8 million through the Film Production Tax Credit—the largest tax credit ever awarded to a single production—underscoring the program’s strong return on investment and its role in supporting family-sustaining jobs.

Pennsylvania was also named one of Travelzoo’s 10 Best Bets for 2026, reflecting our growing appeal to domestic and international visitors. At the same time, ten Pennsylvania colleges and universities were recognized among TIME’s Best Colleges for Future Leaders 2026, reinforcing the state’s strong talent pipeline.

That momentum is also evident in Pennsylvania's cities. Pittsburgh earned national attention as both the most affordable city in America and a Thrive Outside Community, while Philadelphia reached a new milestone—earning its first-ever MICHELIN Guide recognition, spotlighting three restaurants as the city prepares to welcome the world for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Together, these recognitions highlight how Pennsylvania’s investments in culture, tourism, education, and quality of life are strengthening the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness.

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.