DCED Newsletter | November 2024

In October, Pennsylvania made big moves in community revitalization, industry growth, and business-ready site development. From landmark investments in Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle to groundbreaking advancements in life sciences, agriculture, clean tech, and AI, we’re building a stronger foundation for businesses, residents, and future innovation across the Commonwealth.

October saw transformative investments in community revitalization. Governor Josh Shapiro announced a $62.6 million Commonwealth investment in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle in support of a new 10-year strategic plan to boost the area as a hub of economic growth, innovation, and culture. This effort brings together the Shapiro Administration, Pittsburgh’s private sector, nonprofits, and local governments with a focus on expanding housing, creating engaging public spaces, and developing initiatives for a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant downtown. Nearly $600 million has already been committed toward specific, shovel-ready projects. All the announced projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028 as part of the initial phase of the strategic plan.

The new PA Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program also launched in October, with $10 million in funding for mixed-use housing projects. This program will be an important tool in the future comprehensive Housing Action Plan tackling Pennsylvania’s housing priorities. Additionally, 18 municipalities received more than $1.3 million through the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP), which provides matching grants to help local governments experiencing fiscal difficulties build financial resilience and develop short- and long-term financial objectives.

Pennsylvania’s life sciences industry made headlines with GSK’s announcement of an up to $800 million expansion to its vaccine and medicine production in Lancaster County. This is GSK’s largest U.S. manufacturing investment to date and will add 200 new jobs and double its existing site capacity in the Commonwealth.

Philadelphia also gained momentum as JLL ranked its life sciences cluster 8th in the U.S., citing the region’s strong leadership in gene therapy and robust supply of lab space. Reflecting this opportunity, Legend Biotech, a cell therapy company, unveiled plans for an R&D site in Center City Philadelphia. In western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance highlighted two growth sectors: data-driven healthcare, and next-gen therapeutics. German-owned BGS Beta-Gamma-Service also selected Pittsburgh for its first U.S. facility, a sterilization plant to serve medical device customers in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern U.S. markets. Carnegie Mellon University further advanced the field with two federal awards totaling over $75 million from ARPA-H, funding pioneering bioelectric research and patient-specific therapies.

Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector continues to grow, with organic sustainable potato product producer Folkland Foods investing $7 million in new facilities to create 50 jobs in Erie County. Flexopack USA announced a $33 million investment for a food packaging manufacturing site in Lebanon County, their first in the United States. Country View Family Farms also celebrated the completion of its $47.3 million expansion of the White Deer Feed Mill in Union County, enhancing local agricultural production.

Clean tech expansion is underway in Pennsylvania, with Mainspring Energy investing more than $109 million in a new Allegheny County facility and will create nearly 600 new jobs. The Commonwealth invested $8.6 million, and Mainspring also received $87 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for their innovative linear power generators.

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI) announced an $86 million project to build an advanced switchgear factory and expand its power electronics facilities and test labs. This expansion of MEPPI’s facilities will create at least 200 new jobs and retain an additional 806 jobs in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In Fayette County, DCED also celebrated the launch of three new solar farms by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Oriden. Built on former coal sites, these solar farms will generate enough power for nearly 7,500 homes each year, providing over 78,000 MWh of clean energy.

Pennsylvania is at the forefront of AI innovation across industries. A recent TEQ report notes that over 23% of southwestern PA’s workforce is in the tech sector. NVIDIA launched its AI Tech Community Initiative, a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and local startups to advance AI applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and more. This follows a $6 million NIST award to Carnegie Mellon University for establishing a joint center to support modern AI capabilities and tools.

Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector remains robust, generating over $116 billion in economic impact. DCED Secretary Rick Siger joined Hydro Extrusions in celebrating the expansion of their aluminum extrusion plant in Cressona. The nearly $100 million upgrade now makes it Hydro’s largest aluminum extrusion facility in North America.

DCED’s Manufacturing Training-to-Career Program recently awarded three significant grants to train future manufacturing workers. Bucks County Community College received $400,000 for Industrial Maintenance and Metalwork programs, while Millersville University’s Robotic Worx Program and Solomon Plains Elementary/Middle School each received $200,000 to support manufacturing training.

Site development remains a priority to attract business investment. Last month, Bedford County Development Association received a $1.6 million PIDA loan to create an industrial park, designed to foster private investment and expand job opportunities.

The PA SITES program opened applications on October 1 and will accept submissions through December 31, supporting future site development across
the Commonwealth.

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.